Subsidy for sustainable water management in agriculture and forestry
- Service
- Nationwide except the Åland Islands
- Public service
The aim of the subsidy is to promote multi-objective water management in river basins, which will improve water status, strengthen adaptation to and preparedness for changing weather and water conditions, and preserve biodiversity. Subsidies may be granted to projects that promote river basin planning, cooperation and implementation, retain water in the catchment area, promote adaptation to changi ...
Do the following
The application period for subsidies is generally October-November each year. The subsidy will not be available in autumn 2023.
The subsidy is applied for primarily online (Subsidy application for water management in agriculture and forestry). If you are unable to apply online, please use the application form instead. The form can be printed and filled in manually or saved on your computer and filled in electronically. Send the form as an attachment to the general online form, by email or by post to the registry office of the North Ostrobothnia ELY Centre's registry.
The application must be accompanied by a more detailed project plan, which includes a cost estimate, a financing plan and implementation schedule, and a plan for communication activities during the project. The application must be accompanied by a map of the project area, copies of the permits and consents required for the project measures, and an account of which permits and consents are to be obtained. The entity's signature rights must be verified if the applicant does not use the electronic account and suomi.fi authorisation.
For more detailed instructions, see the separate application instructions on our website.
Proving the right to use services
Prepare to prove that you have the right to act on behalf of the applying organisation. If you use the local government e-service, we recommend that you use the Suomi.fi e-Authorizations service. Authorisation concerning this aid is “Applying for subsidies for employment, environment, business and transport”. More information about Suomi.fi authorisations is available in the Suomi.fi service.
If you have the sole right to sign for your organisation as defined in your organisation’s rules, you can submit an electronic application on your organisation’s behalf without any separate authorisation.
If you do not have the sole right to sign for your organisation and your organisation does not use the Suomi.fi e-Authorizations service, or if you apply for aid using a printed form, attach a power of attorney with your application. The power of attorney must indicate that you have the right to act on your organisation’s behalf in this matter.
To whom and on what terms
The criteria for granting the subsidy are described in the Government Decree on Assistance for Projects Improving the Use and Status of Water and the Aquatic Environment (714/2015).
As the application submitter you must have the right to act in the applying organisation’s name. If you do not have the sole right to sign for your organisation, you need a Suomi.fi authorisation or a power of attorney to prove your right.
If you apply for aid through the e-service, you need online banking codes, a mobile certificate or a certificate card to sign in.
Beneficiary
Grants may be awarded to legal entities, such as registered associations, water bodies, associations, municipalities or associations of municipalities, educational establishments or companies. The grant cannot be awarded to individuals.
Grants may not be awarded to government agencies or institutions. However, public research institutes may be assisted in projects as co-implementers if their specific expertise is needed to achieve the project's objectives.
A grant may be awarded for a joint project between several implementers. In this case, the grant will be awarded only to the lead applicant, who will be responsible for the project on behalf of all implementing parties.
Amount and use of the subsidy
As a general rule, the subsidy will cover 50 % of the eligible costs. For projects that significantly contribute to water and marine management objectives in the target river basin, or more generally eg. by producing methods for large-scale use, the subsidy rate may be higher. When applying for a subsidy higher than 50 %, the applicant must clearly justify the higher share of the subsidy.
As a general rule, the projects to be assisted must be aimed at non-profit activities. If the subsidy is used for economic activities, the subsidy will be subject to EU state aid rules. Procurements that may be included in the assisted projects must comply with the Act on Public Contracts and Concessions.
The subsidy is paid against actual costs. When applying for payment, proof of the expenses incurred must be provided in accordance with the subsidy decision.