Ruohonjuuri – Annual Grants

Purpose

Already in the founding charter of Ruohonjuuri in 1982, it was stated that “our activities are based on the principles of sustainable development, according to which we have no right to deny future generations the opportunity to do the things we have the right and opportunity to do today.” As a company, we want to be part of the solution – we are not part of the problem, and now it seems that as the loss of nature progresses at an alarming rate, the chances of living for future generations are dwindling. That is why Ruohonjuuri put it bluntly and decided to award 2021 grants for activities and projects that prevent the loss of nature, i.e. the depletion of biodiversity and the creation of a carbon-neutral future. Climate change and the loss of nature are going hand in hand, so the planet cannot be saved by focusing on just one of them – action needs to be taken on both.

Results

Ruohonjuuri has awarded grants totaling EUR 91,500 between 2014 and 2021. The Ruohonjuuri Award has been used to support sustainable development activities for EUR 35,000 during 2014-2021.

In the form of grants, Ruohonjuuri donated 13,500 euros this year to build a better world.

This year, Laura Hamdi (EUR 1,000), Aino Haavio (EUR 2,500), Clara Lizarazo (EUR 4,000), Power Shift (EUR 4,000), the Tampere 4H Association (EUR 1,000), and the Stansvik Village Association (EUR 1,000) were awarded by Ruohonjuuri grants.

Laura Hamdi received a Ruohonjuuri grant to solve the problem of pharmaceutical waste in the Baltic Sea. The aim is to develop a bioreactor for use in wastewater treatment plants to remove residues of NSAIDs from wastewater.

Ruohonjuuri also supported investigative journalism with its grant, which will help Aino Haavio investigate the environmental impact of the Green Deal in Africa. With the grant, Haavio will communicate about curbing natural disasters and striving for carbon neutrality in a way that is not usually economically feasible within the framework of journalism. Haavio will produce widely backgrounded, new-perspective stories featuring experts from developing countries.

Clara Lizarazo was awarded a Ruohonjuuri grant for her activities to promote crop diversity, the conservation and exploitation of natural resources, and carbon sequestration.

The Ruohonjuuri grant awarded the Power Shift climate event. Power Shift is run by volunteers and non-politically committed climate events that bring together young people interested in climate action and provide them with information, tools, and contacts on climate action.

Ruohonjuuri also awarded the Stansvik Village Association, whose “log formula – no forest” campaign aims to protect Stansvik’s forests. The small village association has fought hard for its valuable nearby forests. Stansvik Forest is a rich and rare old, unspoiled forest.

The Tampere 4H Association received a Ruohonjuuri grant to convert cultivated plots, the purpose of which is to improve biodiversity and the plots’ ability to sequester carbon.

Implementation

The Ruohonjuuri Fund provides multiple grants each year for development and research projects, innovation, and activities that promote the wise use of energy and raw materials, the development of a society in balance with nature, and the fair use of the earth’s natural resources. Grants will be announced for application in August, and the application deadline is around mid-September. Grants are applied for using a separate form.

Ruohonjuuri grants have been distributed since 2014, see our website for more details: https://www.ruohonjuuri.fi/pages/ruohonjuuri-palkinnon-ja-apurahojen-saajia