Kone Foundation Thematic Funding Call “Securitization and Democracy” Opens in April

The 2025 thematic funding call of Kone Foundation’s Funding programme: Is Democracy Eroding? focuses on securitization and democracy. The call will fund research, as well as the popularisation of research, and encourage collaboration between researchers and journalists. Applications can be submitted via the foundation’s online service from 1 April to 30 April 2025. 

In 2025, many issues in Finland are framed through the lens of threats and national security. While this perspective may sometimes offer a realistic way to understand the world, especially when considering examples such as environmental crises and Russia’s war against Ukraine, it can also pose risks to democracy in other contexts. 

The theme of the 2025 spring call is securitization. The call seeks to fund projects that, through research, enhance understanding of topics such as the impact of securitization on fundamental and human rights, the narrowing scope of public debate, restrictions on open and accessible information, the growing societal power of security authorities and institutions, or the sidelining of environmental issues. 

Funded projects may involve research, the popularisation of research, or both. Funding is available to both individuals and groups. We also encourage collaboration between researchers and journalists. Projects that combine academic research and art can also be funded through the thematic funding call; however, projects focused solely on artistic work will not be eligible for funding. 

Securitization and Democracy is the fourth thematic funding call under the Funding programme: Is Democracy Eroding? The programme supports research related to democracy and projects combining research, art, journalism, and/or activism. Three previous thematic funding calls have been organised under the programme: Language, Power and Democracy; The current state and challenges of Finnish democracy; and Media and Democracy in Finland in the 2020s. The funding programme will conclude in 2025. 

Applications can be submitted from 1 April to 30 April through Kone Foundation’s online grant service. 

Learn more about the thematic funding call and find application guidelines here

More information: Kalle Korhonen, Director of Funding, Kone Foundation (kalle.korhonen@koneensaatio.fi)

If you have questions about the themes or content of the thematic funding call, you can book a short advisory call for 13 March.
Book an advisory session here