Turku subsidy prompts businesses to set up sports associations

Turku’s Boostii hobby subsidy has led some businesses to establish associations so their customers can use the funding, Yle reports. The city says the annual support is available only for seasonal fees charged by clubs and associations.

The scheme gives each school-aged child in Turku 160 to 260 euros a year for hobbies. The Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities says no similar support model is in use elsewhere in Finland.

At Tikkula Pony Stable, children can use the subsidy to cover part of the cost of riding. The city pays more than half the price of a 12-lesson card in some cases. About 50 children at the stable use the benefit, owner Marie Murmelin says.

The stable’s association, Tikkulan ponitallin harrasteratsastajat ry, was formed to qualify for the scheme. Jenna Vaurula, who started riding this autumn, chose the stable because it accepts Boostii, her mother Nina says.

Turku Entrepreneurs, a business organisation, submitted a citizens’ initiative in September calling for the subsidy to be extended to businesses. Its chief executive, Karoliine Sirvidas, says activity providers have contacted the organisation, reporting that customers have moved from private businesses such as dance schools to eligible associations.

Laser tag centre Megazone and Turku Parkour Academy say they have also established associations so customers can pay with Boostii. Aleksi Määttänen of Parkour Academy says the association was created solely to join the scheme, because otherwise other sports providers would have had a significant competitive advantage.

Murmelin says all children should be able to take part in the hobbies that interest them, and supports making a wide range of activities eligible. However, she does not think the subsidy should be extended to all businesses, adding that sports businesses can establish associations if they wish.

Turku’s head of sports services, Esko Halonen, says the city will consider expanding eligibility as part of its review of the system. The current restriction is based on Finland’s Sports Act, which requires municipalities to create conditions for local club activities. Halonen says eligible organisers must meet principles approved by the city’s sports committee, including offering guided activities lasting at least three months.

The city’s statistics show that Turku clubs gained 1,500 new participants last year. Ville Lintunen, chair of the council representing the city’s sports clubs, says the increase is not reflected in the largest clubs and is largely linked to newly formed associations and a rise in course-based activities. He says many of those counted had already been taking part in hobbies in Turku, but only appeared in the city’s figures after the subsidy made funding available.