Promoting equality

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government is committed to promoting equality, gender equality and non-discrimination in Finnish society.

Action plan for combating racism brings together means to build a more equal Finland

The government action plan for combating racism and promoting equality aims to improve the social climate and foster good relations between population groups. The action plan offers solutions for combating racism, especially in working life and education, and increases awareness of issues related to equality. The action plan is based on the equality statement submitted by the Government to Parliament on 31 August 2023.

Action plan objectives

The action plan has four main objectives:

1. Dismantling social structures in the labour market and elsewhere in society that lead to inequality
2. Fostering good relations between population groups
3. Promoting access to the labour market, and
4. Building up the knowledge base on racism

Action plan implementation

The action plan will be implemented under the leadership of the Prime Minister’s Office in cooperation with other ministries and authorities. A cross-sectoral project group appointed by the Government will monitor the work. The progress of the action plan and the impact of the measures will be assessed during the Government’s mid-term policy review in spring 2025, when new measures can be introduced for the second half of the government term.

The action plan will also strengthen and expand best practices for combating racism. The plan focuses especially on the activities of the public administration and on fulfilling the requirement to promote equality under the Non-Discrimination Act. Along with central government, this work requires the involvement of local actors. Extensive cooperation with civil society will also play a key role.