State youth recruitment grant helps nearly 100 young people into work in Tampere region

Since March 2026, almost 100 young people have found jobs in the Tampere region through a state-funded youth recruitment grant, the City of Tampere says.

The grant follows the city's March announcement that nearly €3 million was allocated to subsidise youth recruitment. Earlier reporting showed slow uptake: by June only 34 hires had been recorded despite available funds, raising concerns about underuse of the subsidy.

The youth recruitment grant opened for employers in the Tampere employment area in March 2026. Its conditions were relaxed in July to widen eligibility: associations and foundations can now apply, the minimum contract length was cut from six months to three months, and a previous requirement for a specific unemployment period was removed.

Hires must be registered jobseekers in the Tampere employment area regardless of how long they have been seeking work, and an employer’s home municipality can be anywhere in Finland.

Sectors range from industry and technology to services, construction, sales and marketing, and logistics and transport.

"The youth recruitment grant has opened opportunities for a wide range of roles, from entry-level support tasks to specialist positions requiring university degrees," says Lilli Tolvila, senior specialist at Tampere’s employment and growth services. Support can be paid until the end of June 2027. Employers are encouraged to use the scheme in upcoming recruitments to give young people a pathway into working life.