E-services

In E-services, you will find the City of Vaasa’s digital service channels by subject area. In E-services, you can, among other things:

Fill out and send an application
Reserve facilities and materials
Apply for a permit or make a report
Give feedback on city services

Help with services

Are you looking for City of Vaasa’s contact information or need help with services?

Advice and service points

You can also get help and support from our advice and service points. Contact us or come and visit.

Two people sit in a bright lobby area in armchairs. The customer shows something on their phone to the customer service representative, and they smile.

Entrepreneurship

Listen Listen

Have you thought about becoming self-employed as an entrepreneur? We offer information and training for those interested in entrepreneurship to help them get started with establishing their business. We also provide support to ensure the livelihood of new entrepreneurs.

Start with a business plan

Everything starts with a business idea. Your local development company or enterprise agency can offer you free assistance in testing your business idea and creating a business plan.

Feel free to contact the Enterprise Finland Telephone Service for information and advice on starting a business.

The Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centre) provides support for evaluating your business idea, as well as training for starting and managing a business. The ELY Centre can also provide funding for your start-up, organise training, and support business activities through various development programmes. Please note that their services are fee-based. Learn more about the ELY Centres’ services (ely-keskus.fi)

Securing livelihood at the beginning of entrepreneurship

Start-up grant (Starttiraha)

If you are planning to start a business, you can apply for a start-up grant from us. The grant is designed to support your livelihood during the early stages of full-time entrepreneurship, when your business income may still be limited.

Possible payment dates for the start-up grant are the 15th and 30th of each month. Due to system outages, there may be delays in payments in January 2025.

Contact our start-up grant specialist: Hannu Ollikkala, hannu.ollikkala@vaasa.fi, tel. 040-158 0933

Unemployment security for entrepreneurs

If you are an unemployed jobseeker and start a business, you can receive unemployment benefits for the first four months. If you earn income from the business during this period, you will receive adjusted unemployment benefits.

After four months, we will assess whether your business activity is considered full-time or part-time. If it’s deemed full-time, your entitlement to unemployment benefits will end. If it is considered part-time, you may remain eligible for adjusted unemployment benefits.

If you begin full-time entrepreneurship right away, you can choose to use unemployment benefits or apply for a start-up grant. However, you cannot receive both simultaneously.