SASK requested 22.5 million euros for 2026–2029, but the grant awarded was at most 10 million; nearly a 40 per cent reduction from the current level of 16.1 million euros. SASK was the only programme-based funded development cooperation organisation whose allocation was cut steeply.
Of the funding granted by civil servants, approximately 6.5 million euros was reassigned to other organisations following an ideological political decision. This stands in clear contradiction to the recommendation made by the civil servants responsible for the assessment process, who concluded that SASK’s application met the evaluation criteria well or very well across nearly all categories.
The core mission of SASK is to promote workers’ rights and living wages globally. Working with its partners and the private sector actors, SASK helps ensure that workers’ rights and human dignity are respected worldwide. A significant reduction in SASK’s funding, therefore, directly impairs its ability to fulfil this mandate.
This is particularly concerning at a time of increasing pressure on global labour standards, when decent work and fair remuneration remain essential conditions for sustainable development. Yet the broader trend in many countries continues to point toward deteriorating labour rights, making SASK’s role more important than ever.
The Decision Raises Concerns about Transparency and Neutrality
The funding decision undermines trust in the state-aid process. While discretionary, funding decisions must adhere to the criteria publicly stated in the call for applications and allow applicants to rely on fair and impartial evaluation.
The political override of the expert recommendation raises serious concerns about transparency, fairness, and the neutrality of development funding. According to the responsible civil servants, the decision also violates the Administrative Procedure Act, further questioning the legitimacy of the decision.
SASK and its affiliates view the decision as ideological and contrary to the principles of good governance. The political override of a well-supported application sets a troubling precedent for the future of civil society grants, and for Finland’s credibility as a partner in promoting human and labour rights globally.
SASK calls on the authorities to reconsider this decision and restore funding to a level that enables the continuation of essential human-rights work in global supply chains and development cooperation. There is a formal process for that. SASK will take all possible measures to reverse the funding decision.
For more information, please contact:
Juha Vauhkonen, Head of International Operations, SASK
juha.vauhkonen@sask.fi, +358 45 139 7119
