Government grants available for newspaper delivery – grants granted for period starting on 1 October 2024

The letter delivery obligation in Finland was reduced to three days a week in autumn 2023 as the amended Postal Act entered into effect. The objective of government grants is to maintain newspaper delivery on at least five business days a week in areas where comprehensive early delivery is not available. Grants are granted for newspaper delivery in these areas on Tuesdays and Thursdays, when there is no universal service obligation. The government grant is intended for companies that commit to the delivery of newspapers in accordance with the terms and conditions of the grant.

Government grant available in 41 areas in different parts of Finland

Traficom has determined the areas that do not currently have the availability of comprehensive early newspaper delivery on at least five business days a week. "We have determined 41 areas throughout Finland which are eligible for government grants. One delivery company will be selected for each area, and that company may charge the newspaper publisher the maximum price determined by Traficom," says Adviser NN. The grant covers the net cost of newspaper delivery, i.e. costs not covered by subscription prices. In addition to this, the grant can also cover a reasonable profit from the delivery of the newspapers.

Map of grant areas (External link)

Government grant application instructions and terms

The application period for the discretionary government grant is 14 May-14 June 2024. The government grants will be granted for a one-year period starting from 1 October 2024. The EUR 15 million earmarked for the grant is distributed among the areas receiving the grants, taking into account the number of subscribers and area of each region.

To be eligible for the government grant, a delivery company must meet the eligibility criteria defined in legislation and the terms and conditions of the application round. Grant recipients are e.g. required to possess applicable experience and sufficient personnel to be able to carry out the deliveries covered by the grant.

More detailed information on the terms and conditions of the grant, the grant areas, the maximum grant amounts of the areas, the newspapers covered by the grants and the selection process are provided on Traficom's website. The website also includes application instructions and an application form for the grant.

Government grant for newspaper delivery (External link) (in Finnish)

Public link

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