Mini-pilots

The City of Hämeenlinna offers two types of mini-pilot grants. The general mini-pilot grant is a maximum of €750, and the mini-pilot grant intended for enlivening the city centre is €1,000. Both grants support new experiments and community activities, but their terms and granting criteria differ.

General mini-pilots

In 2026, a mini-pilot grant of up to €750 may be granted.

• Applications may be submitted by associations, organisations and groups formed by at least two private individuals.
• A single operator may receive a maximum of two mini-pilot grants per year.
• The grant must be used during the year 2026.
• The city pays the grant only after the activity has been carried out and the report has been submitted. The report must be submitted by 31 December 2026 at the latest. The form is completed electronically and requires Suomi.fi identification. The form does not work with the Internet Explorer browser.

Mini-pilot criteria

• Supports the objectives of the city strategy
• The idea is feasible
• Increases active, citizen-led activity
• The activity is socially, culturally and economically accessible
• Strengthens inclusion and the sense of community within the city

Mini-pilots for enlivening the city centre

In 2026, the City of Hämeenlinna will grant a total of 10 mini-pilot grants intended for enlivening the city centre. The value of a single grant is €1,000.

Applications may be submitted by associations, organisations and groups formed by at least two private individuals. The activity must be open to everyone, event-based and located within the city centre area defined in the City Centre Vision 2040 document during the year 2026.

Apply for the grant by completing the application form for enlivening the city centre.

Use of the grant and reporting

• The city may pay the grant immediately after a positive decision. However, the grant must be used during the year 2026.
• Once you have carried out the activity, complete the reporting form (in Finnish) by 31 December 2026 at the latest. The form is completed electronically and requires Suomi.fi identification. The form does not work with the Internet Explorer browser.
• A single operator may receive a maximum of one mini-pilot grant for enlivening the city centre per year.

The activity to be supported:

• supports the strategic objectives of the city
• is feasible
• increases active and resident-led activity
• is socially, culturally and economically accessible
• strengthens community spirit and inclusion
• takes place in a public urban space within the city centre area defined in the City Centre Vision 2040 document
• is event-based and open to everyone.

Read more about the area boundaries in the City Centre Vision 2040 document (in Finnish).

Development of grants

The City of Hämeenlinna reformed the criteria for organisational grants and mini-pilots in 2024. The Education and Wellbeing Committee made the decision regarding the reform in August 2024.

The city continues to develop the criteria based on the feedback received.

Contact information