Clean water is a prerequisite for a functioning society, and its effects on health, general living standards and equality of opportunity are substantial. It is also a major issue for the mankind trying to adapt to climate change and fighting against it. The changing environment affects water availability and quality almost everywhere. The need to develop new technologies and practices is enormous.

The work of Erkki Paasikivi foundation is based on strong evidence that access to clean water in the world can be significantly improved through research, innovation and education. The foundation’s focus is on supporting research and education projects on clean domestic water and housing solutions in Finland, as well as related national and international cooperation.

Industrial counselor Erkki Paasikivi was born in 1917 and accomplished his life’s work in Finland after the Second World War. He founded the faucet company Oras Oy in 1945 and was the CEO until 1978. He continued in the family business as the Chairman of the Board until 1996. Erkki travelled extensively throughout his working career which enabled him to accumulate a comprehensive artworks collection from around the world.

After resigning from his operative duties at the company, he devoted his time to arts, designing gold and silver jewelry and abstract metal sculptures. In the Rauma region Erkki was known as a friend of music and fine arts, and he actively supported the local artists. This is how the idea of establishing a foundation was born.

The decision to establish the Erkki Paasikivi Foundation was made in 1986, and it began its operations the following year. Later on the purpose of the foundation started shifting towards supporting research and the fields of education connected to Erkki’s working life.

We support research and education on clean water technology and housing solutions, as well as related business expertise. In addition, we support local culture in Rauma with an emphasis on young people.

The sufficiency of clean domestic water is one of the great challenges facing humanity. Climate change is making the challenge even more serious. On the other hand, clean water is a great enabler: its effects on education, equality and health are significant.

Our goal is a world with clean water for everyone. We support the most influential Finnish research and education projects in terms of this goal. To achieve this goal, we network and work with the best partners in the field.

We respect our roots in Rauma by supporting local cultural work, especially among young people.
If you are interested in cooperating with us, please contact info(at)erkkipaasikivensaatio.fi

Results-oriented
We focus on measurable and productive change work.
Perseverance
Solving major challenges always requires long-term work.
Vitality
We want to see continuous improvement and innovation in everything we do.
Openness
We tell what we are going to do and how we succeeded.

NEXT APPLICATION PERIOD IS 16.9. – 25.10.2024

We grant funds to support culture in Rauma, with a particular focus on cultural projects involving young people. We have funded choir trips, concerts, art exhibitions, and theater performances.

Please include an informal budget estimate with your application and mention any grants you have applied for or received from other sources in your application. As a rule, the foundation does not grant funds for individual equipment or device purchases.

Feel free to contact us with any questions regarding the grants. You can reach us via email at info(at)erkkipaasikivensaatio.fi.

We provide funding for research and education in clean water technology, building technology, and related business research and education. We offer grants for individual students, researchers, as well as broader research, development, and educational projects.

Please note! The application period for water technology grants differs from the foundation’s other grants. Instructions and further information can be found at https://vesitekniikantutkimus.fi/en/
You can find the application form at
https://vesitekniikantutkimus.apurahat.net.

Grant amounts available in 2024:
– Three-month period: €6,000
– Six-month period: €13,000
– Twelve-month period: €26,000

You can apply for grants for research periods ranging from 1 to 12 months as needed.

We provide research funding for up to one year at a time. Multi-year research projects are supported through separate grant decisions made for consecutive years. To receive a continuation grant, an interim report on the use of the previously awarded funding must be submitted.

The foundation may grant separate project grants, which are evaluated and considered individually. We primarily direct both project and research grants toward the fields of water technology and building technology.
Additionally, we grant travel scholarships related to studies:

– Travel within Europe: €500
– Intercontinental travel: €1,000

We do not grant travel scholarships for student exchange programs.
Applications related to studies leading to a higher university degree must include a transcript of records and, if applicable, a research plan. Applications related to postgraduate studies must include a letter of recommendation from the supervisor and a research plan.

We open the grant application process once a year, and this year the application period is from September 16th to October 25th, 2024.

Applications are reviewed annually in November, and decisions will be announced by December 15th. The foundation does not provide justifications for its decisions. Reporting on previous grants is a prerequisite for receiving a new one.

We only process applications submitted electronically. We will not consider late applications or those sent in any other format. Include the names and contact information of the group and the responsible person for the application if the applicant is a group. The responsible person must also report to the foundation on using the grant.

The use of the grants exceeding 1 000 € are to be reported within one year from the issuing date. If the project or research exceeds the period of one year, an interim report and attachments will be annually submitted to the foundation by the end of September.

Please note that due to the transitional period, please send the report in pdf format to info(at)erkkipaasikivensaatio.fi.

Here you can find a list of grants awarded 2015-2021. From 2021 onwards, the names of the grant recipient’s have been added to the list.

Through its grants, the foundation supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals ”Clean Water and Sanitation” and “Partnerships for the Goals”. In addition, the foundation’s wealth management takes into account the UN Sustainable Development Goals ”Sustainable Cities and Communities”, ”Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure” and ”Affordable and Clean Energy”.

When sending a grant application to Erkki Paasikivi Foundation, the applicant provides Erkki Paasikivi Foundation with certain personal information. The information is saved in the register maintained by the foundation. The register is regulated by the Personal Data Act (523/1999). The personal information collected in the register is used in the decision making of grants to be awarded. Other information collected by Erkki Paasikivi Foundation is information relating to the payment of the awarded grants and information required for the follow-up process and the final reports. Erkki Paasikivi Foundation notifies the tax authorities and Farmers’ Social Insurance Institution of the grants awarded.