lisämäärärahaa

Lisämäärärahaa is a Finnish term for a supplementary appropriation that increases the funds authorized in the state budget for a given year. It is used to finance expenditures that were not foreseen or could not be fully funded in the original budget.

The main purpose of lisämäärärahaa is to cover urgent or unexpected needs and to implement new government priorities that arise after the budget has been prepared. Typical examples include crisis response, fulfilling court or legal decisions requiring funding, or adjustments to costs that exceed initial estimates.

In the budget process, the government can propose lisämäärärahoja (one or more) as part of a supplementary budget or within a separate amendment. Parliament then debates and approves the proposal by law, allocating the funds to the relevant ministry or agency and specifying the purpose and time frame. The approval may include conditions or prioritization.

The funds are earmarked for specific programs or purposes and are generally intended for the remainder of the year. They contribute to the annual budget balance and are subject to fiscal oversight and reporting requirements. If a decision involves longer-term spending, it typically requires follow-up in subsequent budgets or a renewed appropriation.

Overall, lisämäärärahaa is part of Finland’s broader set of budgetary instruments, alongside the annual budget (talousarvio) and the supplementary budget (lisäbudjetti or lisätalousarvio), providing flexibility to respond to changing public needs within the annual financial framework.