The Alfred Kordelin Foundation’s Major cultural projects provide solutions to societal challenges. In the 2025 application round four major cultural project grants were awarded, totaling 960,000 euros.
The foundation’s Major cultural projects tackle societal challenges through art, science, or civic education — or a combination of these perspectives. The projects aim for breakthroughs in their fields and long-term continuity.
In 2025, three new project grants were awarded totaling 810,000 euros. Additionally, the foundation granted €150,000 bridge funding to support the continuity and impact of the Lasten runovallankumous project, which was carried out in 2023–2024.
“The Major Cultural Projects generated significant interest, with a record-breaking 234 applications submitted. The funded projects boldly address societal challenges and seek solutions in innovative ways”, says Mikko Kosonen, Chairman of the Foundation’s Board. “All funded projects also develop methods and models that have a broad societal impact.”
Major cultural projects 2025–2027
City of Mänttä-Vilppula – 210,000 euros
The project by the city of Mänttä-Vilppula addresses challenges related to the attractiveness of small municipalities as well as the purchasing and production of cultural services. As a result of the project, a regional center of excellence in culture will be established, bringing together artists and commissioners. The center will connect not only artists and cultural operators but also local businesses, organizations, tourism services, schools, and daycare centers. The practices and expertise models developed in the project will be transferable and applicable in other cities and municipalities as well.
The University of Helsinki – 300,000 euros
The use of artificial intelligence in drug development is still limited. The goal of the project is to create new machine learning and artificial intelligence methods to accelerate drug development. The project aims to identify, among other things, TRPA1 ion channel blockers. TRPA1 has been recognized as a highly potent drug target for treating chronic and particularly neuropathic pain.
PING Helsinki – 300,000 euros
Literacy is one of the most essential skills for the future, yet young people’s interest in reading and their reading skills have significantly declined in Finland. Lukuboost, a nationwide project coordinated by PING Helsinki, aims to inspire young people to read. The project specifically targets 13–25-year-olds who read little, as well as the adults working with them. The goal is to develop new operational models that will become a permanent part of the education and cultural sectors.
Cultural centre PiiPoo – 150,000 euros
Lasten runovallankumous project, run by Cultural Centre PiiPoo and funded by the Alfred Kordelin Foundation, will continue in 2025–2026. The foundation’s bridge funding will enable the creation of a nationwide Joy of Reading program (Lukuilon ohjelma). The program is being developed in collaboration with teachers and children, as well as organizations promoting literacy and literary arts. The content created within the project is intended to be integrated into nationwide literacy work.
Further information
Erik Båsk
Managing Director
Alfred Kordelin Foundation
erik.bask@kordelin.fi