Hobby grant

A boy in a football shirt.
The City of Äänekoski's children's hobby grant is intended to support the hobby activities of children and young people in Äänekoski. The hobby grant is intended primarily for families where children's participation in hobby activities is difficult due to the family's financial situation. 

The granting of hobby grants to families with children in Äänekoski has been made possible thanks to donations from various actors. The newest and largest donors are Lions Club Äänekoski & Kotakennäs and Äänekosken Energia, as well as donations from private individuals.

The hobby grant is intended for families where it is difficult for children to participate in hobby activities due to the family's financial situation. The grant can be applied for by children and young people under the age of majority for hobby activities organized by any organization. The granting of the grant is discretionary, and its granting may be influenced by the family's ability to receive financial support from elsewhere, for example, clubs' own hobby grants.

The primary aim is to enable a child or young person to develop their first hobby and engage in basic activities.

When awarding a grant, attention is paid to the justification for the need for support:

  • Poverty, single parenthood, unemployment in the family or other changes in the family situation.
  • Equality among applicants so that as many low-income families as possible have the opportunity to benefit from hobby support.
  • Age 0-17 years.
  • A family can receive a grant for the monthly/term membership fee of their chosen child or young person/club, instrument or equipment rental. The amount of the grant awarded to the family is individual and needs-based. The general amount of the grant awarded has been 70-180€ per calendar year.
  • A family can apply for a grant for one or more minor children. Support can be granted for one hobby/child.

The hobby grant is distributed through the guidance and assessment of a multidisciplinary team. Grant applications are addressed to the early support director at the family center.

If a grant is awarded, an invoice for the hobby will be sent to jaana.puumala@aanekoski.fi. If the invoice is larger than the grant awarded, the invoice will be divided and the family will pay the portion exceeding the grant.

The following can apply for a hobby grant:

  • guardian of a child or young person
  • a child or young person's worker (e.g. teacher, youth worker, family worker) together with the family.
  • By carefully justifying your application, you will speed up the processing of your application. Please take into account the above criteria for the need for support in your justification.
  • Applications will be handled confidentially.

Electronic application (Requires strong authentication with bank ID, mobile ID or Population Register Centre HST card)

Printable application formThe application must be submitted to the Kerkkä Family Center: Äänekoski Family Center Kerkkä, address: Koulunmäenkatu 6A, door A8, 44100 ÄÄNEKOSKI, jaana.puumala@aanekoski.fi

Additional information and inquiries: 

Family Centre Early Support Supervisor Jaana Puumala, 040 842 2191, jaana.puumala@aanekoski.fi     

Grants