The Briefing
- President donates €540,000 from personal earnings to youth.
- Funds come from academic speaking fees earned in Italy.
- Investment focuses on art, science, sports, and literacy.
Finland’s President Alexander Stubb has donated €540,000 of his personal funds to support the well-being and future of young people in Finland. The donation was distributed among three different charitable organizations focusing on diverse areas of youth development.
The President’s Office confirmed that the money consists of speaking fees accumulated while Stubb served as a professor in Florence, Italy. During his tenure at the European University Institute (EUI), his lecture fees were placed into a fund intended for research or charitable donations.
A significant portion of the donation, €250,000, was given to the Finnish Cultural Foundation (Suomen Kulttuurirahasto). This contribution has established a namesake fund for President Stubb and his wife, Suzanne Innes-Stubb.
The “Suzanne Innes-Stubb and Alexander Stubb Fund” will focus on promoting arts, science, and culture among the youth. The couple aims to provide long-term support for creative and academic excellence.
Another €250,000 was donated to the Läpimurto Foundation. This organization is dedicated to helping young athletes reach the international elite level and encouraging physical activity for all children.
The remaining €40,000 was gifted to the Me Foundation. These funds are specifically earmarked for programs that improve literacy and reading habits among children and teenagers.
Who is Alexander Stubb?
Alexander Stubb is the 13th President of Finland, assuming office on March 1, 2024. He was born in 1968 in Helsinki and grew up in a bilingual Finnish and Swedish-speaking home.
He is highly educated, holding a PhD in International Relations from the London School of Economics. Before his presidency, he served in several high-ranking positions, including Prime Minister, Finance Minister, and Foreign Minister of Finland.
Stubb is known for his strong internationalist stance and his active lifestyle. He is a passionate athlete who frequently participates in triathlons.
He lives in Helsinki with his wife, Suzanne Innes-Stubb, who is a lawyer by profession. The couple has two children.
