Major event grant

Kuopio wants to be a partner of the event organizer and with its activities enables the smooth organization of the event in Kuopio. As a partner, we can communicate the event in the city’s media, advise on permit and space matters, and possibly support the event financially.

What is an Event Grant?

The City of Kuopio allocates budget funds for event grants, intended to enable events organised in Kuopio. The purpose is to support events that are significant for the city and that generate clear regional economic impacts, image benefits, and attractiveness. Event grants may be awarded for organising and production costs, separately defined development targets, as well as for enabling new events through start-up funding.

Applications are evaluated, and possible funding is determined according to the evaluation criteria approved by the city and the available funds. Event grant applications are assessed based on their impact. Grants may be awarded for organising costs, development needs, and initial or development funding for new events. Eligible applicants include legally competent organisations such as associations, cooperatives, and companies.

What is the Our Kuopio Grant?

The Our Kuopio Grant supports activities organised by associations, communities, and residents in Kuopio. The goal of the grant is to strengthen community-building, support community development, enhance residents’ wellbeing, encourage collaborative activities, and promote equality.

The one-time grant is intended for a wide range of community-enhancing activities that are open to everyone (e.g., events, small excursions, courses and clubs, bicycle repair workshops, neighborhood wellbeing projects). All activities must be free of charge and open to all.

Read more about the Our Kuopio Grant:
https://www.kuopio.fi/en/leisure-and-well-being/our-kuopio/grants/ourkuopio-grant/

What is Marketing Cooperation?

For proposals related to event marketing cooperation, the current contact person is Marketing and Communications Planner Annika Parkkonen: annika.parkkonen@kuopio.fi.

Event Grant Application Periods

For the year 2026, three application periods have been set. Event organizers must submit their event grant applications within the following timelines:

1. 8 January – 24 January 2026
2. 18 February – 31 March 2026
3. 3 June – 15 August 2026
   

Kuopio aims to be a partner for event organisers and to enable the smooth organisation of events in the city. As a partner, the city can promote the event through its communication channels, provide advice on permits and venue arrangements, and potentially offer financial support.

The most important criteria for evaluating event support:

• Regional economic effects of the event and ROI calculation, e.g. tourism revenue effect.
• The possibilities of using the event in city marketing, e.g. the visibility and marketing of the event and the target groups of the event.
• The welfare effects of the event, e.g. health effects, promotion of exercise and hobby activities, community and equality.
• The event’s sustainable operating model, resource wisdom, environmental effects and the event organizer’s responsibility.
  Development and growth goals of the event.

The event grant is always paid after the event has been organised or the production has been completed, but still within the same calendar year as the event.

The organizer must submit an event grant report to the City no later than two months after the event has taken place, within the same calendar year.
The report can be supplemented after submitting the form, if needed.

Instructions