Continuance to a project that helps people in financial distress
The Finnish Red Cross continues its work to offer material help, payment cards and comprehensive support to people in financial distress. In the coming years, support and help will be offered in more than 100 different locations all around Finland.
The operations of the Material Aid and Inclusivity project of the Finnish Red Cross will be continued through this new project. The Material Aid and Inclusivity 2025–2026 project offers holistic support to low-income people.
In addition to payment cards for material aid, the aid recipients are offered, depending on the location, inclusion activities and support such as communal meals, financial and health advice, emotional support, discussion support and referrals to different services and operators.
“The payment card is one form of support that helps those struggling financially. At the same time, we also offer holistic support and work to strengthen the inclusion and agency of people,” says Riikka Kaukonen Lindholm, the Finnish Red Cross’s Planning Officer for Food Aid.
A total of 75,500 material aid payment cards will be distributed as part of the Finnish Red Cross project during 2025–2026. Aid recipients can use the payment cards worth €40 to buy food and other basic necessities in order to cope with circumstances that are financially challenging.
“In discussions with our volunteers, it has become clear in how challenging situations people are forced to live. There are a limited number of payment cards, so unfortunately only some of those who need aid can receive one. However, we also offer other food aid, such as communal meals, to support people’s ability to cope.”
Help from more than a thousand volunteers
The Material Aid and Inclusivity 2025–2026 project will involve around 1,400 volunteers of the Red Cross. Holistic support for low-income people will be offered in 100 different locations around Finland.
The first Material Aid and Inclusivity project of the Finnish Red Cross was launched in 2023, and the first payment cards were distributed in autumn 2023. So far, the Finnish Red Cross has distributed around 45,000 payment cards to people struggling financially.
“Our volunteers have considered these tasks as meaningful, as their encounters have personally proven to them how much this actually helps people,” says Kaukonen Lindholm.
Aid recipients will be identified locally by the Finnish Red Cross’s branches and partners. The payment cards will be distributed in cooperation with partners, such as social services and other organisations, and as a part of the Finnish Red Cross food aid activities.
The material aid payment cards are intended for low-income people who are in acute or prolonged financial distress, and they are funded from the European Social Fund Plus. The material aid is part of the measures of the Innovation and Skills in Finland 2021–2027 programme. The sum of aid granted to the Finnish Red Cross’s Material Aid and Inclusivity 2025–2026 project is €3,442,800. Of the total sum, €3,020,000 will be used for the payment cards to help people with low income. A sum of €211,400 will be used for the organisation of the project’s inclusivity activities and €211,400 for administrative costs, in accordance with the project decision.
However, the Finnish Red Cross also offers other food aid activities to support people’s survival and inclusion. For a complete list of food aid events, please visit foodaid.fi.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for a payment card?
The material aid payment cards are intended for low-income people who are in acute or prolonged financial distress.
There are a limited number of payment cards, so unfortunately only some of those who need aid can receive one. In a situation where there are more people in need than there are cards available, our policy is to prioritise aid to those who are most in need and in the most vulnerable situation.
However, the Finnish Red Cross also offers other food aid activities to support people’s survival. For more information on food aid events organised by the Finnish Red Cross in your area, please visit foodaid.fi.
Where can you apply for a payment card?
Distribution methods and schedules vary by location. You can find out more about the towns and cities involved in the project here. Payment cards are distributed as a part of the Finnish Red Cross food aid activities and in cooperation with partners, such as social services. Aid recipients will be identified and met locally by the Finnish Red Cross’s branches and partners.
There are a limited number of payment cards, so unfortunately only some of those who need aid can receive one. In a situation where there are more people in need than there are cards available, our policy is to prioritise aid to those who are most in need and in the most vulnerable situation.
The Finnish Red Cross also offers other food aid activities, such as food distributions. For a complete list of food aid events, please visit foodaid.fi.
Where will payment cards be distributed?
Distribution methods and schedules vary by location. You can find out more about the towns and cities involved in the project here.
How much is a payment card worth?
It is worth 40 euros.
What products can be bought with a payment card?
The material aid payment card can be used to pay for food and basic necessities in grocery stores. The card cannot be used to buy gambling, alcohol or tobacco products or gift vouchers. It is also not exchangeable for cash.
Basic necessities include hygiene products such as diapers, detergents and tissue papers.