Scholarship for the Future

A better and fairer future has always been close to our heart at Castrén & Snellman. During our extensive history, we have provided advice in socially important, ground-breaking cases and created opportunities for growth for promising young influencers.

Last year, we celebrated our 135th anniversary by awarding scholarships to students who had used their voice and given their all for a better future. We have decided to continue supporting those who will build our future. The Scholarship for the Future is our way to encourage students who have shown particular social initiative and made a difference in something close to their heart. Those who prioritise community over self and who not only dream but also take action.

The application process for the Scholarship for the Future is open to law and business majors as well as BBA and MBA students enrolled in Finnish universities or universities of applied sciences. Students can apply for a scholarship themselves or be referred for one.

The success stories of the future have always been written by the new generation.

 This spring, we award two authors of our future with a scholarship of EUR 1,000 each. We are happy to announce that the scholarships were awarded to these distinguished students:

Jotham Berhanu, law studies (University of Lapland)

Thomas Joutsikoski, economics and business administration, sustainable business management (University of Tampere)

Our warmest congratulations to the scholarship recipients! You really deserve this recognition. Many thanks also to all the other applicants and referees.

‘I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the students who applied for the Scholarship for the Future. We also want to thank all the referees. The applications were meticulously and carefully prepared and showed the applicants’ will and determination to change the world for the better. Many applicants had a strong track record of making a difference in something close to their heart from a young age as well as convincing plans and goals for the future. It’s wonderful that we get to award the people behind the success stories of the future with scholarships. Even though we can’t reward every applicant with a scholarship, every single contribution for a better future deserves encouragement and thanks,’ says HR Director Outi Ruohola.

Scholarship panel

The scholarship recipients were chosen by a scholarship panel including Castrén & Snellman’s Managing Partner Sakari Lukinmaa, HR Director Outi Ruohola and influencer Kaarina Harkonmäki, who acts as a UNESCO youth delegate during the period 2024–2025. The UNESCO youth delegates participate in the UNESCO General Conference as part of the Finnish delegation and in the UNESCO Youth Forum. If possible, they also take part in other UNESCO-related preparations, particularly in the fields of science and research. The UNESCO youth delegates are also invited to the Finnish National Commission for UNESCO as experts. During her term as a delegate, Kaarina aims to focus on the role of peace and education in society. Kaarina studies world politics and is actively involved in the work of the UN Youth of Finland, so themes related to multilateral cooperation and sustainable development are of special interest to her.

The panel processed all applications anonymously.

The scholarship applications made a great impression on the panel, and it considered various aspects in making its decisions. The applicants have made a difference in student organisations and politics as well as in other areas of life. Important themes included the wellbeing of students, children and young people, animal rights and nature conservation, combatting climate change, equality, justice, security, financial skills of young people and economic inequality among young people. A common characteristic of the applicants was giving their all for a better future.

Click the links below to review the terms and conditions and the privacy notice for the Scholarship for the Future programme.