Third Eco Bonus application round concludes Vaasa's Green Leaf year

A total of approximately €74,000 in Eco Bonus funding has been awarded to associations and City of Vaasa units. The funding has been used for a wide range of activities, including community clean-ups, a vegan picnic, the creation of a school garden and birdhouses, and guidance on fuel-efficient driving.

The third and final application round is being organised in response to requests from associations and residents.

“It is wonderful to see how enthusiastically people in Vaasa have embraced our Green Leaf year and put ideas into action. By working together, we can strengthen our sense of community while making our city an even more pleasant and greener place to live. The Eco Bonus is a great way to support these values,” says Project Manager Eva Bligt-Lindén.

How associations and resident communities can apply for the Eco Bonus

Associations and resident communities operating in Vaasa can apply for the Eco Bonus at vaasa.fi/en/ecobonus.

Priority will be given to applicants who did not receive Eco Bonus funding in previous application rounds. If an applicant has previously received an Eco Bonus, funding cannot be awarded again for the same initiative.

Applications must be submitted in the name of a community or group that has a bank account to which the funding can be paid. The application should describe the idea and provide an estimated budget of €100–€1,000. The proposed initiative must be feasible within the amount applied for.

The application criteria emphasise sustainability and environmental impact. Initiatives should promote green values such as biodiversity, energy efficiency and the circular economy. The aim is also to strengthen the sense of community and encourage Vaasa residents of all ages to help make their city a more pleasant and greener place to live.

“We pay particular attention to ensuring that as many Vaasa residents as possible have the opportunity to participate in the initiatives. Applications also take into account how associations plan to communicate about their activities, for example through the Vaasa region’s event calendar or their own communication channels,” says Bligt-Lindén.

The City of Vaasa will contact successful Eco Bonus applicants by email by 31 December 2026. The funding must be used between 1 January and 28 February 2027.

Vaasa has been named a European Green Leaf City for 2026. The European Commission awards this recognition annually to cities that promote sustainable development and work systematically for the environment and climate.