Veteran and Sámi organizations rated poorest users of state funds

Two Finnish organizations, Sámi Soster, which provides addiction treatment for the Sámi people, and the Tammenlehvän perinneliitto, an association for war veterans, have received the lowest ratings for their use of state funding, according to STEA, the agency distributing the grants.

Sámi Soster's "Metteterapia" program, specifically designed for Sámi individuals seeking addiction rehabilitation, was identified by STEA as having the poorest utilization of its grant money. The veterans' association, Tammenlehvän perinneliitto, was ranked second worst in this assessment. Sini Seemer, a special advisor at STEA, suggested that imprecise reporting might be the underlying cause for these low evaluations.

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Sámi Soster's addiction treatment and the Tammenlehvän perinneliitto veterans' association have used their grant money the worst in Finland, according to STEA.

Ristenrauna Magga, the executive director of Sámi Soster, expressed surprise at the assessment. The organization received a letter from STEA in late May detailing the evaluation. Meanwhile, the introduction of new criteria by Minister Wille Rydman has sparked fears within the Sámi organization about the potential loss of crucial funding.

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The reason for the poor evaluation is likely imprecise reporting.