The Executive Board of the Student Union of the University of Turku (TYY) decided at its meeting on 25 September 2026 to award grants to projects promoting the internationalisation of student organisations. Five associations applied for the grant, and the TYY Executive Board decided to allocate a share of the total available funding of 2,000 euros to each of them. The funded projects will be implemented during autumn 2026.
Over the past two years, TYY has collected feedback from student organisations regarding the challenges they face in involving international students in their activities. TYY has also listened to international students, many of whom reported difficulties integrating into the local student culture. In spring 2026, TYY applied for funding from the City of Turku to address these challenges. Following a successful application, TYY launched a grant programme to support the international activities of student organisations.
The purpose of the grants was to encourage organisations to develop innovative ways of integrating international students into the local student community. Student organisations play a key role in shaping and developing student culture, making them important actors in promoting inclusion and participation.
In the assessment of the applications, priority was given to innovation, promoting student well-being, supporting TYY’s objectives and values, long-term impact (promoting the development of international activities), Replicability and transferability for use by other organisations, inclusivity of all international students (international degree students, exchange students, post-graduate students, and international trainees), and substance-free environment.
The following organisations were awarded grants:
Kulma ry
Seroto Mieli ry
Fobia ry
Turun KY ry
Turku United Nations ry
Reports on the implementation of the funded projects will be submitted to TYY and published on TYY's website. These reports will serve as examples and sources of inspiration for other organisations seeking to develop their own international activities.