Finland

Laki liikunnan edistämisestä 390/2015

14,072 characters 2015 Data Source

LIIKUNTALAKI / ACT ON THE PROMOTION OF SPORTS AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

390/2015

Entered into force: 1 May 2015

Consolidated version as of 27 June 2025

In accordance with the decision of Parliament, the following is enacted:

Chapter 1: General Provisions

Section 1 – Scope of Application

This Act lays down provisions on the promotion of physical activity and elite sport, and on the responsibilities and cooperation of central government and municipalities, on the administrative bodies of the State and on State funding in the field of physical activity.

In addition to the provisions of this Act, Finland’s binding international obligations shall be complied with.

Section 2 – Objectives of the Act

The objective of this Act is to promote:

  1. opportunities for different population groups to engage in physical activity and sport;

  2. the wellbeing and health of the population;

  3. the maintenance and improvement of physical functional capacity;

  4. the growth and development of children and young people;

  5. civic activity in sport;

  6. elite sport;

  7. the integrity and ethical principles of physical activity and elite sport;

  8. the reduction of inequality in physical activity; and

  9. sustainable development in physical activity and elite sport.

The basis for achieving the objectives shall be equality, non-discrimination, community, multiculturalism, healthy lifestyles, a safe operating environment and respect for the environment.

Section 3 – Definitions

For the purposes of this Act:

  1. physical activity means all independent and organised physical exercise and sports activities, except elite sport;

  2. elite sport means nationally significant and internationally competitive sports activities aimed at success; elite sport is promoted by supporting the training of athletes and by developing coaching skills, dual career paths, the coordination of elite sport, research and innovation in elite sport, the funding of elite sport and competition and training conditions, and by supporting the organisation of international sports events;

  3. health and wellbeing-promoting physical activity means all physical activity at different stages of life, the aim of which is to maintain and improve wellbeing and health, and which is promoted by developing activities, coordination and funding in the field.

Section 4 – Responsibility of the State

The Ministry of Education and Culture is responsible for the general management, coordination and development of sports policy and for creating the general conditions for physical activity in central government.

The Licensing and Supervisory Authority (Valvira) is responsible for regional central government tasks in the field of physical activity. These tasks are laid down in more detail by Government Decree.

In performing its duties, the State shall, where necessary, cooperate with municipalities, civil society organisations and other actors in the field of physical activity.

Section 5 – Responsibility of Municipalities

Municipalities are responsible for creating the general conditions for physical activity at local level. Municipalities shall create conditions for the physical activity of their residents by:

  1. organising physical activity services and health and wellbeing-promoting physical activity, taking different target groups into account;

  2. supporting civic activity, including club activities; and

  3. constructing and maintaining sports facilities.

The tasks referred to in subsection 1 shall be carried out in the municipality through cooperation between different sectors, by developing local, inter-municipal and regional cooperation, and by ensuring, where necessary, other forms of activity suitable to local conditions and needs.

The municipality shall consult its residents on key decisions concerning physical activity as part of the municipality’s obligation under section 22 of the Local Government Act (410/2015) to ensure opportunities for residents to participate and exert influence. The municipality shall assess the physical activity levels of its residents as part of the promotion of wellbeing and health referred to in section 6 of the Act on Organising Social and Health Care Services (612/2021).

In carrying out the tasks referred to in subsection 1, the municipality shall not operate in a competitive market situation unless these tasks are carried out with commercial objectives and on a commercial basis.

Section 6 – National Sports Council

The National Sports Council is an expert body of the Ministry of Education and Culture, appointed by the Government for the parliamentary term.

The Council’s task is to consider matters of far-reaching and fundamental importance from the point of view of physical activity and, in particular, to assess the impact of government measures in the field of physical activity, to make initiatives and proposals for the development of physical activity, and to issue statements on the use of sports appropriations in its field of activity and on matters of strategic importance concerning physical activity. The Council has subcommittees for the preparation of matters.

The tasks, composition and appointment of the National Sports Council are laid down in more detail by Government Decree.

Section 7 – Regional Sports Council

The Licensing and Supervisory Authority has a Regional Sports Council as an expert body, appointed by the Regional Council.

The tasks, composition and appointment of the Regional Sports Council are laid down in more detail by Government Decree.

Chapter 2: State Funding

Section 8 – State Contribution to Municipal Sports Activities

The State contribution to the operating costs of municipal sports activities is provided for in the Act on the Financing of Education and Culture (1705/2009). The State contribution shall be used for activities referred to in section 5 of this Act.

Section 9 – Funding for Regional Central Government Tasks Related to Physical Activity

The Ministry of Education and Culture shall annually allocate appropriations to the Licensing and Supervisory Authority for regional central government tasks related to physical activity, the use of which shall be agreed with the Licensing and Supervisory Authority. The Ministry may also allocate other appropriations to the Licensing and Supervisory Authority to be further distributed as grants.

Section 10 – Eligibility of Organisations Promoting Physical Activity for State Aid

For an organisation promoting physical activity to be eligible for State subsidies, the Ministry of Education and Culture must approve the organisation as eligible for State aid.

A registered association whose purpose is to promote physical activity and which operates in accordance with the objective laid down in section 2 may be approved as an organisation eligible for State aid. When considering eligibility for State aid, account shall be taken of the quality, scope and social impact of the organisation’s activities, and how the organisation promotes equality and non-discrimination.

Only one national association from each sport may be approved for funding. A condition for approval is that the sports federation has an international organisation or competition system, or that the sport is of national significance. When considering the eligibility of a sports federation for State aid, account shall be taken of the quality, scope and social impact of the federation’s activities, and how the federation promotes equality and non-discrimination and complies with the ethical principles of physical activity and sport and with international rules binding on Finland.

The Ministry of Education and Culture may revoke an organisation’s eligibility for State aid if its activities have not continuously for two years met the conditions for State aid laid down in this Act or by virtue of it.

More detailed provisions on the conditions for approval of new organisations eligible for subsidies referred to in this section and on the procedure to be followed in the approval process may be laid down by Government Decree.

Section 11 – Appeals

An appeal may be made against a decision of the Ministry of Education and Culture referred to in section 10 above. Provisions on appeals are laid down in the Administrative Procedure Act (434/2003).

Appeals to an administrative court are governed by the Act on Judicial Procedure in Administrative Matters (808/2019).

Section 12 – Granting of State Subsidies to Organisations Promoting Physical Activity

An appropriation shall be included in the State budget each year for subsidising the activities of organisations promoting physical activity.

New organisations shall not be granted State subsidies without special reasons until they have operated as a registered association for at least two years.

When considering the amount of State subsidy, account shall be taken of the quality, scope and social impact of the activities of the organisation promoting physical activity, and how the organisation implements the objectives of this Act and the ethical principles of physical activity and sport, how the organisation complies with international rules binding on Finland, and how the organisation promotes equality and non-discrimination.

Expenses arising from business activities shall not be regarded as operating expenses eligible for subsidy.

More detailed provisions on the conditions for granting State subsidies referred to in this section may be laid down by Government Decree.

Section 13 – State Subsidies for Sports Facilities

An appropriation shall be included in the State budget each year for granting subsidies for projects to establish sports facilities and related leisure facilities. State subsidies for sports facilities are granted for the construction, acquisition, renovation and related equipping of sports facilities intended for the needs of large user groups. In addition, subsidies may be granted for other sports facility construction for special reasons.

Subsidies are granted to municipalities or municipal federations, or to communities under their control. Subsidies may also be granted to other communities if this is necessary to achieve the objectives of this Act.

State subsidies referred to in subsection 1 are provided for in the Act on the Financing of Education and Culture.

Section 14 – State Subsidies for Other Purposes Promoting Physical Activity

An appropriation shall be included in the State budget each year, from which grants and scholarships may be awarded for research and development in sports science, research and development projects for sports facility construction, activities of sports science organisations, sports information management, training, international cooperation, promotion of elite sport, current cooperation and development projects in sport, and other activities referred to in section 2.

Section 15 – State Aid Authority

The State aid authority for grants referred to in sections 8–14 is the Ministry of Education and Culture. The Licensing and Supervisory Authority acts as the State aid authority in establishment projects that are not significant in terms of costs and in the allocation of appropriations intended for use by the agencies referred to in section 9. The Academy of Finland may act as the State aid authority in the allocation of grants for sports science. The division of powers between State aid authorities may be laid down in more detail by Government Decree.

Chapter 3: Miscellaneous Provisions

Section 16

[Repealed]

Section 17 – Reference Provision

In addition to the provisions of sections 12 and 14, State subsidies are governed by the State Subsidies Act (688/2001).

Chapter 4: Entry into Force

Section 18 – Entry into Force

This Act enters into force on 1 May 2015.

This Act repeals the Sports Act (1054/1998).

Section 19 – Transitional Provisions

The Ministry of Education and Culture shall assess the eligibility for State aid of organisations that received aid under the Sports Act repealed by this Act without a separate application. More detailed provisions on the assessment of eligibility for State aid and the procedure therein may be laid down by Government Decree.

The National Sports Council appointed at the time of entry into force of this Act shall continue its activities until the end of its term.

The terms of office of the Regional Sports Councils appointed at the time of entry into force of this Act shall end at the end of 2015. However, if the term of office would end before that date, it shall continue until the end of 2015.

Full text available at Finlex

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