Every year, we award event grants to communities and associations, project groups, and private individuals. Ready to bring your event to life? Create a detailed plan and apply for funding now.

– The purpose of the event grant is to inspire and support public events that enhance the City of Vaasa’s visibility, appeal, and vitality, while also promoting the wellbeing of local residents. We hope these events will attract visitors to the city, boost Vaasa’s positive profile and bring people together, says Salme Sulander, Director of Education and Culture and chair of the working group responsible for reviewing event grant applications.

Applications for funding for events taking place between January and May 2027 will open on 1 October. The total event grant budget for 2027 is €50,000. The remaining grants will be allocated during the March application round, which is open to events taking place between June and December 2027.

 

The City of Vaasa has supported hundreds of events

The City of Vaasa has been supporting events for many years. According to information available in the electronic archive, funding has been awarded to as many as 346 events between 2015 and 2026. However, event funding had been available for many years before the start of the electronic archive records, just under a different name.

– The event grants available through the October and March application rounds are non-repayable grants. In addition to the grants, we also collaborate with the largest events through marketing partnerships. Marketing partnerships always include broader visibility for the City as well as other forms of collaboration agreed separately in the partnership agreement, explains Leena Forsén, Director of Communications and Marketing.

Checklist for event organisers:

• More information about the event grant and a link to the application portal
• Event grants are available twice a year: the October application round is for events taking place from January to May of the following year, while the March round is for events scheduled between June and December.
• Applications can only be submitted through the electronic application system during the application period.
• The application must include a detailed event plan, budget, and marketing plan.
• A notice of the event must be published in the Events Calendar for the Vaasa region.
  • Events listed in the Events Calendar will be featured on the City of Vaasa’s social media channels.
  • This gives your event free visibility across the City of Vaasa’s channels.
• Explore the city’s guide for event organisers (available in Finnish and Swedish).