Government: Finland continues its strong support for Ukrainian civil society
Finland is one of the strongest supporters of Ukraine in Europe. Finland has sent wide-ranging support to Ukraine; defence material; civilian material; humanitarian aid; and development cooperation. In a short period, Ukraine has become Finland’s most significant partner in development cooperation. Finland also supports Ukraine as part of the European Union.
A functioning democracy, rule of law, human rights, a dynamic civil society and peace are the requirements for sustainable social development, which our government supports with its development policies.
Finland continues its long-term stance in human rights policies on the promotion and protection of the rights of women, girls, the disabled, indigenous peoples, sexual and gender minorities, as well as other people in especially vulnerable positions. The Government parties have verified their commitment to this stance in the Government Report on Finnish Foreign and Security Policy, the Report on International Economic Relations, and the Government Statement on Equality.
Finland promotes the goals of its international human rights policy as an EU Member State, in bilateral agreements, and in multilateral forums.
Finland continues its existing non-discrimination and equality work in Ukraine. Finland takes the rights of women and girls into account in all its development cooperation, including Ukraine. Strengthening the right to sexual and reproductive health is also among the focus points of Finland’s development policy.
Finland supports the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine. The focus of Finland’s support is on gender equality and the enforcement of the Istanbul agreement.
Support for Ukraine takes helping those in the most vulnerable positions into account. Finland supports the work of the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA), which takes gender equality into account. OCHA also supports the work of women’s non-governmental organisations.
Finland supports the victims of conflict-related sexual violence as part of the Partnership Fund for Resilient Ukraine, as well as through NGO projects.
In September, Finland granted, with the decision of Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio, Ukraine four million euros in humanitarian aid to survive the winter. This aid is channelled through the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and will specifically help women, children, the disabled and the elderly on the home front.
In June, Finland participated in the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin. Similar conferences have been held annually since 2017. In the conference, the Government has a particular focus on the requests posed by Ukraine to Finland. These included the protection of the energy infrastructure and the civilian population. Four initiatives were created at the conference on professional education, equality, small and medium-sized enterprises, and sustainable cities. All these initiatives are in line with the Government Programme. Finland joined the initiative for professional education.
The Government published the first part of the rebuilding plan for Ukraine in December of last year. The second part of the rebuilding plan, which will be ready this year, adopts a wider scope on development cooperation and involving stakeholders in the rebuilding, as well as on the use of Finnish development funds in Ukraine.
The second part of the rebuilding plan will include a section on the promotion of non-discrimination and equality, which will be prepared jointly by Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Tavio and Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen, whose responsibilities include the equality issues. In the next Ukraine Recovery Conference, Finland will assess the initiatives that arise in line with these principles and participate in their preparation. These assessments will also be supported by the Government Report on Finnish Foreign and Security Policy and the stances in the Report on International Economic Relations and Development Coordination.
Further information: State Secretary Risto Artjoki, tel. +358 9 160 220 06, Prime Minister’s Office
Email addresses of the Government are [email protected].