Benefits for associations
Operating grant
AYY’s operating grant is intended to support the continuous activities of associations. All associations in AYY’s association register may apply for the operating grant in accordance with the following terms: an association must have an open membership policy and at least 60% but no less than ten of the association members entitled to vote are members of AYY,
Applications are scored using the scoring model for operating grants. In 2026, the application period is 18.5.-1.6.
An application for the operating grant consists of a completed application form and the required appendices. In addition, you will also need to submit documents from the previous operating year (financial statements, annual report), documents from the current year, which guide operations (action plan, budget, list of current officials), and valid bylaws. The association must also have a username and password for the services.ayy.fi system, and an up-to-date association profile on AYY website.
Further information is available from AYY Association Sector.
The grant amounts for previous years
Operational grants were awarded according to the scoring model. The application period for operational grants was May 18 to June 1, 2026. A total of 40,000€ was distributed (excluding partner associations).
Operational grants were awarded according to the scoring model. The application period for operational grants was May 14 to June 1, 2025. A total of 38,633€ was distributed (excluding partner associations).
Operating grants were awarded according to the scoring model. The application period for operational grants was May 17 to May 31, 2024. A total of 40,000€ was distributed (excluding partner associations).
This year the associations’ operating grant budget was reduced by the Representative Council and several new associations have also joined AYY's Association Register during the past year so the grants per association are mainly lower than in previous years.
Start-up grant
AYY may award start-up grants to new associations to cover the cost of registration on the following terms:
- The association must submit its application to be included in AYY association register within one year of its establishment.
- The association must be registered with the Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH), or registration must be under way.
The total amount of the start-up grant is €185. The purpose of the grant is to cover PRH processing fee for the establishment notice and to launch the activities of the association.
You can apply for the grant either in connection with an application to be included in AYY association register or later once all the terms have been met. In the latter case, you can apply for the grant by contacting AYY Association Sector.