Support for International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs)
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland supports International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) that operate politically and administratively independently from governments, at national, regional and international levels, and have a diversified international funding base. INGOs work alongside intergovernmental organizations and develop international standards. They support local organizations by offering expert assistance, political support and connections to international networks.
Finland’s support to INGOs contributes to Finland's Government Programme, foreign policy, development policy and international human rights policy in themes and sectors that are of strategic importance to Finland. Finland’s support to INGOs is guided by the goals and principles of Finland’s development policy in accordance with the goals of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.
The INGO support must complement Finland’s other support to civil society organizations. INGO support is not granted to Finnish organizations that have their own separate funding instruments.
Support to INGOs is discretionary government funding granted by the Ministry and subject to annual parliamentary approval in Finland. The Act on Discretionary Government Transfers (Valtionavustuslaki 688/2001) (unofficial translation in English) is applied to all INGO support procedures and the use of the grants.
This page includes:
- Previous INGO Calls for Proposals
- Questions and Contact Details
Previous INGO Calls for Proposals
The latest previous INGO Calls are described below. INGO funding has been centralized to the Department for Development Policy in 2025 and is managed in close cooperation with other relevant Departments at the Ministry.
The 2024 Call for INGOs for Support in Human Rights Work
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs granted EUR 10 million for the human rights work of nine international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) for 2025–2026. The Call targeted project applications in the following thematic focus areas: Gender Equality and Non-Discrimination; Human Rights Defenders in Defence of Democracy; and Business and Human Rights.
Discretionary government grants were awarded to the following organisations:
- Christian Blind Mission UK, EUR 1,225,000
- International Service for Human Rights (ISHR), EUR 1,200,000
- World Organization Against Torture (OMCT), EUR 1,180,000
- Access Now, EUR 1,180,000
- Business and Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC), EUR 1,154,150
- International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), EUR 1,140,000 euroa.
- International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA), EUR 1,086,750
- International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), EUR 1,034,100
- International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA World), EUR 800,000
More information: See the 2024 Call Description at the applyforgrants.fi portal (link).
The 2022 Call for Call for Proposals for INGOs on SRHR, Tax Justice and Food Security
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs granted EUR 13 million for 2022-2025 to six International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), tax justice and transparency and food security for children and youth.