JEF Finland is filing a request for rectification against the Ministry of Education and Culture’s decision to revoke the organisation’s eligibility for the general youth work grant. JEF Finland is a nationwide organisation whose activities meet the eligibility requirements. In 2022, the organisation held events in eight regions and, in addition to this activity, reached Finnish young people nationwide through its activists and social media.
The Ministry of Education and Culture has assessed which organisations are eligible for the 2024 general youth work grant. Under a decree that took effect in April 2023, an organisation is considered nationwide if it operates in seven regions or otherwise reaches its target group nationwide. The organisation was given the opportunity to state its opinion on the matter and to provide explanations regarding any requirements or clarifications that might have affected the outcome. JEF Finland learned of the hearing on 14 June, and was therefore unable to submit a response by the 9 June deadline.
“Unfortunately, we received no notice of the clarification or the hearing electronically, and our physical letter was still going through an address inquiry at the Post Office as of 1 June. The following week, our office was on a delegation trip abroad. We were not aware of the hearing concerning us and unfortunately only found the hearing letter, registered on 23 May, after the given deadline had already passed. The timeline therefore made it impossible for us to submit a response on time. However, we are confident about the rectification request, since our activities in 2022 met the revised eligibility criteria, and we are doing everything we can to ensure this is also the case for our 2023 activities”, says JEF Finland’s Secretary General Saana Ylikruuvi.
Immediately after the matter came to light, JEF Finland contacted the people handling the case at the Ministry of Education and Culture as well as other parties central to clarifying the situation. The decision was made on 29 June, and there are 30 days to file a rectification request after notice of the decision is received. In 2022, JEF Finland organised activities in eight regions and otherwise reached its target group nationwide and beyond, since the organisation works closely with its sister organisations across Europe to promote EU values and unity. In addition to the scope of the activities, consideration is given to the significance and impact of the activities on youth work, as well as the topicality of the organisation’s work.
“One of our most important goals is to raise young people’s awareness of the EU, and we are the only Finnish-language youth organisation that focuses entirely on advocacy and information work related to European affairs. Europe is going through a time of major change, and with next year’s European Parliament elections, the importance of our work will only grow. It would be extremely strange if the organisation’s most important funding channel to date were to be denied right before the European Parliament elections”, comments JEF Finland’s President Amanda Alvesalo.
At this point, the Ministry’s decision does not affect JEF Finland’s 2023 activities or any multi-year projects already granted and agreed upon.
Further information
Saana Ylikruuvi, Secretary General
+358 44 244 7162
[email protected]
Amanda Alvesalo, President
[email protected]