The rural development programme's enterprise subsidies

The rural development programme 2014-2020

The rural development programme’s enterprise subsidies are a discretionary form of support that is targeted based on the programme’s goals. These subsidies are meant to support profitable rural businesses that provide employment, and you can apply through the ELY Centres or Leader groups. The application process is always open.

To qualify, the entrepreneur has to be at least 18 years old. Acceptable company types include proprietorship, limited company, partnership firm, limited partnership, cooperative and farm (ancillary business). The applying company must be a small business (max. 50 person-workyears).

The business must be located in a rural area!

The ELY Centres have regional rules for which areas are eligible for these subsidies; for example, in Uusimaa:

• No subsidies: Helsinki, Kauniainen, Kerava, Järvenpää; limited subsidies: population centres in Espoo, Vantaa, Porvoo, Tuusula, Hyvinkää, Lohja and Kirkkonummi
• More information on regional rules can be found here

The subsidies can be used, for example, as investment subsidies or as financial support for a new business.

More information on the Rural Development Programme’s enterprise subsidies:

• Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centre)
• Department of Rural Development
• Rural Development Programme
• Uusimaaseutu (in Finnish)
• Leader (in Finnish)