ESF+ projects selected within Creative and Cultural Innovation Expertise theme after second application round

The second call for applications for projects within the national ESF+ theme was open from 13 January to 31 March 2025. The ELY Centre for Häme, which serves as the funding authority for the Creative and Cultural Innovation Expertise ESF+ theme, has now reviewed and selected the projects to be funded after the second round. A total of 175 applications were received, representing 99 project entities. Of these, 14 projects were ultimately selected for funding and are listed below.

The first call for applications within the theme was in spring 2023, from which 9 projects were selected for funding.

ESF+ funding within the Creative and Cultural Innovation Expertise theme is available for projects that strengthen skills and employment in the arts and cultural sector or the creative sector and the creative economy. The goal is to respond to the skills needs in the creative fields caused by changes in working and business life. Funded projects are meant to bring new skills to working life.

The latest funding round also supports the implementation of the cultural policy report and the growth strategy for the creative sector and promotes the use of R&D funding targeted at the creative sector.

The selected projects promote themes in areas such as music, events, the performing arts, design, museums, sustainable development and cultural wellbeing. 

The Creative Net team under the Arts Promotion Centre Finland (Taike) has organised sparring for applicants and provided support during the application period. The goal has been to activate especially medium-sized actors in the creative industries in the application rounds.

“It is particularly pleasing that nine of the funded projects involve associations, either as the main applicant or the implementer. This hopefully indicates that the selected projects respond well to the real needs within the field,” says Sofia-Charlotta Kakko, Project Manager for the Creative Net.

All applications were reviewed in accordance with general selection criteria based on EU and national legislation. Applications that fulfilled these criteria were then reviewed on the basis of special selection criteria and placed accordingly in priority order. Expert opinions were then requested from the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment for applications that fulfilled the special selection criteria.

Three calls for applications

There were two main calls for applications in the second application round: for traditional development projects and for pilot projects.

The call for applications for traditional development projects covered wide-ranging expertise and innovation projects that meet the needs of the arts, culture and creative sector. Applications for 47 traditional development projects were received, from which 32 projects were selected for scoring. From these, a total of 8 projects were selected for funding.

The second call for applications for pilot projects covered more one-off experiments that respond to the development needs of the creative sector. Funding for these projects will be paid as a lump sum, and the maximum amount of funding is EUR 200,000. Applications for 51 pilot projects were received, from which 16 projects were selected for scoring. From these, a total of 5 projects were selected for funding.

In addition, the latest application round included an extended call for applications for the coordination project of the theme from 2026 onwards. The Creative Net of the Arts Promotion Centre Finland (Taike) has served as the coordination project for the period 2022–2025. The task of the coordination project is to support the achievement of the theme's objectives and funded projects, as well as to make the results and best practices of the funded projects visible. One application was submitted to the call, which was scored and selected for funding. The Creative Net of the Arts Promotion Centre Finland will continue as the coordination project.

Changes to the priorities of the funding programme

Mid-term reviews are carried out during the European Union's funding programmes, allowing Member States to realign funding to meet current needs.

The European Commission has recommended changes to the priorities of the Innovation and Skills in Finland 2021–2027 programme. The programme includes the measures of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and the Just Transition Fund (JTF).

In connection with the 2025 mid-term review, the Government decided to allocate part of the remaining funds of the programme to strengthening defence capabilities in 2025–2027. This is a reallocation of funds to reflect the changed security situation in Europe. For this purpose, two new ERDF action lines will be added to the programme.

The change in the programme also affects the amount of funding allocated under the Creative and Cultural Innovation Expertise ESF+ theme, as a result of which, fewer projects can be funded in the second round of the theme than planned. Approximately EUR 4 million is available for project funding, compared to the original allocation of EUR 7.7 million. The scope of the coordination project has also been reduced in proportion to the amount of funding available.

The ELY Centre for Häme is in contact with all applicants. Funding negotiations will begin with applicants selected for funding, which will be completed at the beginning of 2026. Projects that have not been selected for funding will receive decisions with justifications in the Eura 2021 system.

Further information

Minna Taipale, Financing Specialist, ELY Centre for Häme
[email protected]

Sofia-Charlotta Kakko, Project Manager, Creative Net, Arts Promotion Centre Finland (Taike)
[email protected]