Social Affairs and Health Minister Wille Rydman of the Finns Party speaks during a plenary session of the Finnish Parliament in Helsinki on 20 May 2026. Photo: Antti Aimo-Koivisto / Lehtikuva
A political dispute has broken out inside Finland’s governing coalition after Social Affairs and Health Minister Wille Rydman unveiled new funding criteria that could prevent organisations serving immigrants and other identity-based communities from receiving state support.
The changes affect grants distributed through the Funding Centre for Social Welfare and Health Organisations (STEA), which allocates public funding to charities, foundations and non-profit groups working in the social and health sectors.
Under the new rules, organisations whose activities focus mainly on a specific non-health-related background or identity group would no longer qualify for funding. The criteria would also exclude many organisations engaged primarily in advocacy, policy work or advisory services.
The announcement triggered criticism from opposition parties, civil society organisations and several members of the government itself.
