Ombudsman criticizes minister's grant decisions for youth organisations
The Chancellor of Justice Janne Salminen said the Sports and Youth Minister Mika Poutala failed to adequately justify two state grants to religious groups.
Chancellor of Justice Janne Salminen has publicly rebuked Sports, Exercise and Youth Minister Mika Poutala for not providing sufficient justification for two state subsidies awarded to religious youth organisations. The grants went to Iso Kirja ry and Suomen Evankelisluterilainen Kansanlähetys ry, despite the assessment and grant committee recommending otherwise and established precedent. Salminen's statement emphasized the lack of clarity about the criteria used, given the requirements set out in the Youth Act.
The controversy erupted after a broadcast revealed that Poutala, a member of a Pentecostal congregation, approved funding for Iso Kirja ry against civil service counsel. When questioned, Poutala dismissed claims of a personal link to the group as absurd.
Why it matters
It raises concerns about transparency and legal compliance in the allocation of public funds.
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