Finn Church Aid concludes change negotiations
The change negotiations launched by Finn Church Aid (FCA) in October 2025 will result in a reduction of 21 full-time equivalent positions at FCA’s Helsinki office.
THE CHANGE NEGOTIATIONS were prompted by sudden and significant cuts to international funding worldwide. The adjustment measures are designed to ensure that FCA’s work can continue in a changing operating environment with the same level of professionalism and reliability as before.
FCA will reorganise its Helsinki office to respond to changes in its operating model, further expanding and deepening its already strong cooperation with partners. As a result of the negotiations, staffing will be reduced by just over 21 full-time equivalent positions.
“These decisions are painful but necessary due to the dramatically changed international funding situation. With fewer resources available, we must adapt our work to ensure that our assistance continues in the world’s most fragile contexts,” says Executive Director Tomi Järvinen.
“We have carried out impactful work for nearly 80 years, even before we began receiving international funding. International funding remains an important part of our funding base as well as the vital support of private donors in Finland.”
During 2025, global funding trends have shifted dramatically. Several countries that have long supported development cooperation and provided humanitarian aid have changed their policies and reduced funding, including the United States, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. In early 2025, the United States implemented significant cuts that directly affected FCA’s funding, reducing 7 million USD from FCA’s education programmes. Finland, too, has cut its international aid funding four times during the current government term.
These cuts have also affected UN agencies, whose funding has declined significantly over a short period. This has a direct impact on FCA’s work, as key partners and funders include the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and the UN Children’s Fund UNICEF.
“In this changed funding environment, we are now seeking new ways to operate and to deliver impact,” Järvinen says.
Humanitarian needs and the number of refugees are at historic highs. FCA’s work will continue to focus on education, livelihoods, and peace in fragile, conflict-affected, and climate-vulnerable countries. The strong results of FCA’s work are built on close relationships with decision-makers, a robust partner network, and reliable monitoring of impact. Ultimately, FCA’s professional local staff ensure that assistance reaches those who need it most.
“As a Finnish organisation, our expertise is widely respected, and our donors make it possible for us to respond to global crises. We will not give up.”
Further information:
Tomi Järvinen, Executive Director
tel: +358 40 641 8209
email: tomi.jarvinen@kua.fi