Sports

The division of sports in the Finnish Supervisory Agency promotes healthy exercise habits and well-being of the population and supports the maintenance of the ability to work, study and function at different life stages and ages. Our tasks are based on different laws and regulations. We strengthen the role of exercise as one of the basic services provided by local authorities and improve the conditions of exercise together with local authorities. 

We support municipalities in the implementation of sports policy objectives, for example, through government grants, training and information guidance. We produce information on the regional availability of basic sports services, among other things. In addition, we engage in close networking in Finland and internationally.

Central government grants 

We award government grants to municipalities and other actors for projects that increase physical activity and improve the health and well-being of different population groups through physical activity. We support and guide the construction of sports facilities and award government grants for projects with an estimated cost of no more than EUR 1,200,000. In addition, we process the government grants awarded by the Ministry of Education and Culture for the construction of sports facilities with an estimated cost of more than 1,200,000 euros and provide an opinion on them.  

Continuous training and professional development 

We organise training workshops for the personnel of local authorities and sports organisations. In the workshops, we share information about socio-political objectives, measures and different funding options. We carry out training in close cooperation with various actors in the sports sector.  

Production of information 

We collect and produce information about the sports sector. Through the evaluation of health and social services, we monitor, enforce and assess whether services are equally available everywhere in the country. The evaluation targets vary and include mapping the availability of services and their lawful organisation. We use the evaluation findings to make suggestions about how to improve the services.

Communications 

We communicate about our current tasks, such as government grants, training and information production. Information related to government grants is collected on the lvvavustukset.fi website (in Finnish). We publish a Finnish language newsletter that you can subscribe to. In addition, you can find us on social media:

International cooperation 

As agreed with the Ministry of Education and Culture, we are engaged in international cooperation, such as Barents Cooperation. We work in the Nordic cooperation network for sports facility construction with stakeholders in other countries and the Ministry of Education and Culture. In addition, we are a member of the International and Nordic Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities (IAKS Nordic).

Contact information

Our email format is [email protected].  

Åbacka Kristian, Head of Group, tel. +358 295 254 074 

Joona Kai-Matti, Senior Inspector for Sports, tel. +358 295 255 142  
Kaijanen Tiina, Inspector for Sports, tel. +358 295 254 070   
Lauri Tanja, Senior Inspector, tel. +358 295 255 209  
Lipponen Olli, Senior Inspector, tel. +358 295 256 151 
Niskanen Tapio, Senior Inspector for Sports, tel. +358 295 254 111  
Pöllänen Jouni, Senior Inspector, tel. +358 295 255 732 
Rantamäki Jarkko, Senior Inspector, tel. +358 295 254 002
Saukkoriipi Samu, Planning Officer, tel. +358 295 254 265
Siitarinen Anni, Senior Inspector, tel. +358 295 254 418 
Silventoinen Ulla, Senior Inspector for Sports, tel. +358 295 255 273 
Sjöholm Satu, Senior Inspector for Sports, tel. +358 295 256 015 
Taskinen Tapio, Senior Inspector, tel. +358 295 255 782