The implementation of an Icehearts Europe intervention programme requires economic resources and long-term sustainable funding, ideally up to 12 years for each team. 

As early as the planning stage of the intervention, the implementing grassroots sport organisation should look for possible funding opportunities: 

• externally, with funding from participation in calls for tenders, national/local allocations, activities of services and institutions in the area, donations, donations to the third sector 
• internally, ​​reallocating the economic resources already available. 

The early identification and involvement of the right stakeholders is crucial for the feasibility and sustainability of the intervention. 

Example from Finland

Icehearts Finland has an unusual organisational structure compared to other Finnish NGOs. It can be roughly divided into two parts that are closely related. The Finnish Icehearts Association is the umbrella organization of local Icehearts organisations. The umbrella organization is responsible for the administration of Icehearts activities and acts as a support service for local Icehearts associations and teams. In contrast, local organisations are the primary operation units for Icehearts teams and mentors. However, some of the teams operate directly under the Finnish Icehearts Association.

At the same time, this means a financing model consisting of different financing sources. The teams are mainly funded by municipalities and partly from other funding sources, such as local donations and fundraisings. Finnish Icehearts Association, administration and support services, are fully funded by the Funding Centre for Social Welfare and Health Organisations (STEA). STEA is a state-aid authority operating in connection with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

Ideas from pilot organisations

To ensure sustainability, the Estonian partner advised that the programmes should start small and adapt the original Finnish Icehearts model to local situations.