Lumo sponsorship and grants
The Lumo sponsorship and grant programme supports top Finnish athletes as well as individual and team sports for young people. Launched in 2012, the programme promotes wellbeing through physical activity by awarding grants and sponsorship to promising young athletes. Sponsorship and grants are part of our sustainability programme.
Lumo sponsorship programme supports future winners
The sponsorship programme offers financial support to young sporting talent with the talent and attitude to make it to the very top. Sponsorship requires recommendations from the governing body of the sport and the coach, success in competitions and an age of 14 years or more.
In 2024, Lumo sponsorship programme was available for applications 1-31 October.
Lumo grants support children and young athletes with their hobbies
Grants are awarded to 12 to 20-year-old athletes who show commitment to training and a passion for success in order to encourage them in their sporting careers.
The grants are available to any promising young athletes who have already engaged in active sports as a member of a sports club or such for several years and who need financial support for their hobby. Lumo residents are given priority in the selection. Grants are awarded for both team and individual sports.
In 2024, Lumo grants were available for applications from 26 August to 22 September.
Next time Lumo grants will be available for applications in autumn 2025.
Lumo-sponsored athletes in 2025
For the 2025 season, the Lumo athletes are Kuura Koivisto (freestyle skiing), Elina Lampela (pole vaulting), Henry Manni (wheelchair racing) and Juulia Turkkila & Matthias Versluis (ice dance).
Kuura Koivisto, freestyle skiing
Kuura Koivisto started skiing at the age of 3 in his hometown Ivalo and began competing in freestyle skiing at the age of 13. Kuura attended the Ruka Alpine School, and towards the end of his studies, he joined the national team to compete in various events. Now 23 years old, Kuura competes in Big Air and Slopestyle World Cups and major competitions. His main goal is to qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
Achievements:
- 1st place at Absolut Park Spring Battle 2021
- Rider of the Week at Level 1 Superunknown 2023
- 7th place in Swiss Big Air World Cup
Additionally, a documentary film titled “Dream” was released in 2023, detailing Kuura’s injury and return to the slopes.
Kuura’s thoughts on the Lumo partnership:
“I am really excited to start the Lumo partnership this season. Lumo is a great support on my journey towards my goals, and their support allows me to focus on the most important thing, which is skiing itself!”
Elina Lampela, pole vaulting
Pole vaulter Elina Lampela got into athletics at the age of 9. A few years later, pole vaulting became her main event, which felt like the right fit from the start. At just 15 years old, she won silver at the European Youth Olympic Festival and broke the Finnish record. Elina’s career took off at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, and since then, she has represented Finland in all major outdoor competitions, gradually rising towards international prominence.
Achievements:
- 4th place at the 2024 European Championships
- Finalist at the 2024 Paris Olympics
- Elina’s personal best of 463 cm is the second-best result in Finnish history.
Elina’s thoughts on the Lumo partnership:
“I am really looking forward to our collaboration. Lumo enables me to pursue my goals and dreams in my sports career, and I am very grateful to have Lumo homes as my partner.”
Henry Manni, wheelchair racing
Henry Manni is a wheelchair racer who has achieved exceptional success. Henry started wheelchair racing in 2004 after seeing Leo-Pekka Tähti win two Paralympic gold medals. That moment ignited a spark that had taken him to the top of the sport. Competing in the T34 class, Henry has accumulated a total of 20 medals in major adult competitions. He holds the European records for the 200 metres and 400 metres, as well as several Finnish records. After falling short of his goals at the Paris Paralympics, Henry decided to go all in and moved under the coaching of the legendary Leo-Pekka Tähti.
Achievements:
- Seven World Championship medals
- Ten European Championship golds
- Paralympic bronze at the Rio de Janeiro Paralympics in 2026
Henry’s thoughts on the Lumo partnership:
“Lumo has been my longest-standing partner and a truly important supporter since 2012. Over more than a decade, there have been championship medals, challenges, successes, and growth, and our partnership has remained strong. It’s hard to put into words how much I appreciate this exceptionally long-term partnership. I look forward to what we can achieve together in the future.”
Juulia Turkkila and Matthias Versluis, ice dance
Juulia Turkkila started figure skating at the age of 6 and Matthias Versluis at the age of 8. Together as an ice dance pair, Juulia and Matthias have been skating since 2016. Before their career in ice dance, both competed as solo skaters, achieving, among other things, Finnish championships in 2014. The pair first represented Finland in major competitions in 2019. This coming spring, they will face their fourth European Championships and sixth World Championships. In 2022, the pair also represented Finland at the Beijing Olympics, finishing in 15th place.
Achievements:
- European Championships 2023 bronze, 2024 6th place
- Finlandia Trophy Espoo 2023 1st place
- Grand Prix Espoo 2022, 2023, and 2024 3rd place
Juulia’s and Matthias’s thoughts on the Lumo partnership:
“We consider the Lumo partnership very important, as the support allows us to aim for the top in ice dancing and prepare for the Milan-Cortina Olympics. Lumo has been our longest-standing partner, and it is great to be part of the Lumo team for the third year in a row. We are very grateful for this long-term partnership.”.”
Page updated 16 January 2025