Archbishop Luoma: Church cannot fill gaps left by STEA funding cuts

The Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church cannot broadly compensate for the shortfalls caused by government cuts to STEA grants for social and health NGOs, Archbishop Tapio Luoma told Yle.

The government is slashing state subsidies—known as STEA grants—for social welfare and health organisations, reducing funding to €190 million next year, roughly a third less than in 2026. These grants support NGOs working to promote social well-being and health.

Luoma said the cuts, while not directly affecting the church, will likely increase demand for its diaconal work, which serves as a last resort for those in need. The church provides a wide range of assistance, from family counselling to financial aid and communal meals.

“Unfortunately, the church currently does not have the broad capacity to fill the gap that will likely emerge from these NGO funding cuts,” Luoma said. He added that the church must prioritise where its limited resources can be used most effectively.

Food aid, often reliant on surplus reductions, has already been scaled back in some areas. Luoma noted that while less food waste may be environmentally positive, it worsens the daily struggles of those in poverty. He warned that social security cuts have already made hunger a reality for many, and NGO funding reductions will exacerbate the situation.

Diaconal work, he said, thrives on personal interaction, but rising demand for food aid diverts resources, leaving less time for direct engagement with those in need.

Church taxes remain the primary funding source for diaconal work, supplemented by collections like the Yhteisvastuu campaign. Luoma does not expect church taxes to rise solely for diaconal purposes, as congregations face multiple financial pressures.