Pro Lapinlahti continues its impactful work despite unexpectedly large cuts to funding
Pro Lapinlahti Mental Health Association is facing significant funding cuts, which are challenging our work. Despite this, we will continue to reduce loneliness and strengthen mental well-being through culture and low-threshold social activities.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo‘s government is cutting more than a third of state subsidies to social and health care sector NGOs, amounting to €140 million by 2027. The government’s cuts to state subsidies were not a surprise in themselves, but their impact on Pro Lapinlahti’s activities has been exceptionally large. Our association’s general subsidy will be cut by one-fifth and the funding for our MIITTI activities aimed at immigrants by one-quarter. This will significantly weaken our ability to operate and make it more difficult to carry out our activities. Despite this, we will continue to offer free activities open for all and strive to expand our sources of funding in the long term.
Our work makes a difference
Social and health care NGOs are a key part of the Finnish social and health care system. Their preventive work promotes people’s health and well-being and reduces the need for more expensive services in the public sector.
The aim of Pro Lapinlahti Mental Health Association is to reduce loneliness and increase inclusion. We promote mental well-being through culture, art, and low-threshold activities. We organize hundreds of events, group activities, workshops, and support for people in crisis throughout the year. We create employment paths for people in rehabilitation and support those at risk of social marginalization.
We are a valued and active strategic partner for both the City of Helsinki and other actors in the social and health care sector, and our work has been recognized with awards such as the European Civil Society Prize.
Our activities are mainly funded through public grants
Pro Lapinlahti’s funding is based largely on public support, in particular the STEA grant provided by the state to social and health care NGOs. This is supplemented by other state grants, grants from the City of Helsinki, and grants from private foundations, which are mainly targeted at specific activities. The share of freely usable own funding – membership fees and private fundraising – is very small overall, which makes the funding base sensitive to changes.
Our work requires both funding and strong professional expertise. Extensive volunteer work makes our activities cost-effective, but volunteer work cannot function without professional coordination, guidance, and structures. Effective and safe operations are based on both committed volunteers and sufficient financial resources.
We will not be discouraged by the cuts.
Despite the cuts, we will continue to provide activities that are open to everyone and free of charge, and we will strive to expand and strengthen our funding base.
Lapinlahti will continue to be a welcoming space where everyone can feel like they belong, no matter their health, abilities, age, background, or other factors.