The Finnish Olympic Committee commends the government for the decisions made during the budget negotiations, which strengthen the foundations of sports and physical activity amid an economically challenging situation. These decisions support the Finnish sports system, physical activity among children and young people, and the vitality of events and club activities.

The government supports Finland’s bid to host the European Championships. It will provide two million euros in funding for the bid process next year. In addition, the Government will raise the maximum tax-free benefit for the activity voucher from 400 euros to 540 euros and extend its coverage to include fishing and hunting. For children and young people, the government will launch regional pilots for the extended school day model and strengthen personalized physical activity guidance for schoolchildren by promoting the sharing of Move! measurement results. In addition, the government will implement a tax deduction for donations, which will facilitate fundraising for sports activities.

According to the Olympic Committee’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer, this initiative sends an important message to the sports community.

– It is extremely important to recognize the significance of elite sports, sports, and physical activity as a whole: from everyday opportunities for exercise and the school day all the way to sporting events and fundraising for club activities. Activity vouchers, event funding, and tax deductions for donations support people’s participation and the financial sustainability of sports, while Move measurements and the extended school day model strengthen the well-being of children and young people in the long term, says Petri Keskitalo, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Olympic Committee.

The Olympic Committee emphasizes that decisions regarding elite sports, sports, and physical activity are investments whose impacts extend to public health, inclusion, learning, and the vitality of society. Cooperation with decision-makers will continue to be essential in building a sustainable future for Finnish sports.

Photo: Government Image Bank.