NGOs’ cooperation structures dismantled at the expense of preventive substance use work

03.02.2026 - State funding for the NGO network for preventive substance use work is being discontinued at a time when the need for such work is growing rapidly. At the same time, the ministry is systematically scaling down other networks that support cooperation between civil society organisations. Network-based cooperation has saved resources, improved information flow, and through this supported people’s wellbeing.

Social Affairs and Health Minister Kaisa Juuso has made the 2026 funding decisions based on a proposal by the Funding Centre for Social Welfare and Health Organisations (STEA). As a result, the coordination of NGO cooperation in preventive substance use work, known as the EPT network, will be phased out, despite broad opposition from preventive substance use organisations and repeated calls to revise the decision.

The EPT network coordination will receive funding for only half of 2026, after which the funding will end. In practice, this means dismantling national cooperation and coordination structures that serve the entire preventive substance use field. The network has reduced overlapping work between organisations, strengthened a shared voice in the field, and enabled member organisations to focus on direct support work and improving the situations of their target groups.

“Through coordinated network cooperation, EPT network member organisations have been able to bring key themes and preventive substance use issues into national debate in ways that would not have been possible for individual organisations,” says Yrmy Ikonen, Chair of the EPT network.

“The network has implemented nationwide campaigns and events to prevent substance-related harm in a cost-effective way. It has brought together and utilised expertise and experience from different actors to advance shared goals,” Ikonen emphasises.

Cuts made despite growing need for prevention

According to the organisations, the decision contradicts the broader societal situation. Visible harms from drug use have increased, street safety has deteriorated, and risks related to novel psychoactive substances are growing. At the same time, the availability and marketing of alcohol, nicotine products, and gambling have been increased or are being expanded, which is likely to intensify dependence-related problems and other harms.

The need for preventive substance use work is increasing, yet the very structures that enable cost-effective cooperation and impact are now being cut. The organisations warn that this will increase overlapping work, weaken the overall effectiveness of harm prevention, and in the long run increase the need for corrective services and associated costs.

Expert knowledge sidelined in funding preparation

The organisations have raised concerns that insufficient dialogue took place with key subject-matter experts during the funding preparation process. The EPT network’s activities form part of the implementation of national programmes and strategies, as well as the cooperation between the public sector and non-profit organisations required under the Act on the Organisation of Preventive Substance Use Work (523/2015).

The EPT network brings together more than 60 national actors. Through its coordination, expert trainings, nationwide campaigns, and Finland’s largest professional and training event in the substance use field, Päihdepäivät, have been organised. Päihdepäivät has been held for over 30 years and annually gathers nearly 1,000 professionals for a two-day national conference.

The grant allocated to the EPT network coordination has been approximately €0.27 million, less than one hundredth of a permille, or 0.0105 percent, of the state’s alcohol and tobacco tax revenues. With this modest investment, nationwide and cost-effective cooperation benefiting the entire substance use field has been achieved. STEA has assessed the effectiveness of the activities as sufficient.

The coordination of the EPT network and its staff are hosted by Ehkäisevä päihdetyö EHYT, and as a result of the cuts, EHYT has had to enter statutory change negotiations. As a result of these negotiations, dismissals or changes to employment contracts will affect five employees.

“The EPT network staff have carried out their work excellently and with great professionalism. The outcome now feels wrong and heavy in many ways. The network and its staff have played a significant and visible role across the entire preventive substance use field. Despite these changes, Päihdepäivät 2026 will still be organised,” says Heikki Luoto, Development Director at Ehkäisevä päihdetyö EHYT.

Organisations call for assessment of the overall impact of the cuts

The organisations consider it problematic that funding decisions were made against broad expert opinion and without any assessment of their long-term effects. The dismantling of cooperation structures in preventive substance use work weakens the capacity to respond to growing harms and shifts costs into the future. Although the cuts were implemented in line with STEA’s proposal, the organisations call on political decision-makers and civil servants to reassess cuts targeting substance use work going forward.

Long-term funding for preventive substance use work could be secured, for example, by earmarking a share of alcohol and other harm-related tax revenues for prevention. Decision-makers should ensure that the core structures of preventive substance use work are not dismantled at a time when their importance for public wellbeing and everyday safety is particularly high.

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Source: EHYT ry