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10.9.2026 | The Government proposes a new foreign studies act, which would define the eligibility conferred by qualifications completed abroad for certain posts and positions in Finland. The aim is to simplify the recognition of qualifications held by international talent who completed their education outside the EU and EEA, and to reduce delays in their entry into employment.

30.4.2026 | The Ministry of Education and Culture, the Research Council of Finland and CSC – IT Center for Science have jointly tested the open version of the OpenAlex database as an information source for analysing Finland’s scientific publication activity and that of other countries.

19.2.2026 | Emerita Maija Tanninen-Mattila, Master of Arts, Museum Director, has been appointed as Director General of the Finnish National Gallery for the period of 1 March – 31 October 2026.

9.12.2025 | A delegation of Finnish Members of Parliament from the Development Policy Committee visited Zambia on 22–28 November to discuss with the country’s political leadership the development of cooperation between Finland and Zambia and to learn about topical development issues in the country.

18.6.2025 | Senate Properties will begin a major renovation of the National Archives’ main building at Rauhankatu 17 in spring 2026. At the same time, the building will be adapted into a shared workspace for the National Archives, the Institute for the Languages of Finland, the Finnish National Agency for Education, the Accessibility Library Celia, and the Research Council of Finland. These agencies will move into the premises in autumn 2028.

2.3.2023 | On Thursday 2 March 2023, the Government appointed the members of the Finnish National Commission for UNESCO for the four-year term from 2 March 2023 to 31 December 2026. The Finnish National Commission for UNESCO is an expert and cooperation body providing advice on matters related to UNESCO.

17.6.2025 | On 17 June 2025, the Ministry of Transport and Communications published the national 6G roadmap to promote sixth-generation communications technologies. The roadmap sets milestones for the development and implementation of next-generation mobile communication technologies in the 2030s.

27.5.2021 | The Government appointed Dr Minna Kelhä as Director General of the Finnish National Agency for Education. The duration of the position is for five years, beginning on 7 June 2021 and ending on 6 June 2026.

28.11.2025 | Finnish Biodiversity Award 2023–2024 was given to an actor that had done something inspiring to halt biodiversity loss. The winner of the competition was Crowdsorsa mobile game that has already helped fight against invasive alien species in Finland on a total of 4 million square metres. Honourable mentions were awarded to the cities of Kauniainen and Vantaa. The prizes were awarded by Minister of Climate and the Environment Sari Multala.

15.10.2024 | Minister of Education Anders Adlercreutz visited Ukraine on 14 October. This was the first visit by a Finnish minister of education to Ukraine. The aim of the visit was to deepen cooperation between Finland and Ukraine in the field of education as part of Finland’s comprehensive support to Ukraine. Discussions were held to exchange information on the current situation and plan future cooperation. Finl...

10.9.2024 | The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has published its Education at a Glance, an annual publication of indicators describing education systems. This year, the report focuses on equity in education.

23.9.2024 | The Ministry of Education and Culture’s proportion of the 2025 budget proposal is EUR 8.45 billion, which is some EUR 411 million more than in the 2024 Budget. The proposal implements the Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's Government, which aims to invest, even in a difficult economic situation, in raising the level of education and training and improving the conditions for conducting science, research and development.

12.6.2025 | The Government appointed Director Heidi Backman, M.Soc.Sc. as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Culture on 12 June. The appointment is for a five-year term beginning on 4 August 2025.

27.10.2023 | In 2024–2026, the higher education cooperation of Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs will prioritise teacher education, climate change and the circular economy, and food security. The Foreign Ministry grants just over EUR 6 million to the seven projects approved for the partnership programme.

12.3.2025 | A survey by We Foundation shows that groups for extracurricular activity organised by municipalities free of charge as part of the school day provide the majority of the participants with a safe space that is free of bullying, discrimination and racism. The results confirm that groups based on the Finnish model for leisure activities increase student wellbeing and are the only opportunity for many children and young people to have a hobby. The survey covers 20 municipalities of different sizes.

21.12.2023 | Finland's national plan for the reconstruction of Ukraine will improve the prerequisites for the business operations of Finnish companies in Ukraine. A reconstruction plan based on the Government Programme was published on 21 December 2023.

16.8.2022 | An updated vision for international activities was submitted to Minister of Science and Culture Petri Honkonen on Tuesday 16 August. The vision is a follow-up to the policies for strengthening the international dimension of Finnish higher education and research 2017-2025, which was adopted during the previous government term.

12.9.2023 | The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has published its annual Education at a Glance (EAG) publication, which consists of internationally comparable indicators of education systems. This year’s report focuses on vocational education and training. The report mainly covers 2021.

24.10.2023 | Minister of Youth, Sport and Physical Activity Sandra Bergqvist will represent the EU on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Foundation Board.

28.2.2023 | The new Higher Education Partnership development cooperation programme emphasises equal partnerships between higher education institutions, increases mobility and promotes closer collaboration between administrative staff, teachers and students.

13.5.2026 | The Government proposed on 13 May 2026 that the amendments to the Driving Licence Act be adopted. For the most part, the Act will enter into force on 29 May 2026. The aim of the amendments is to improve traffic safety for young people in particular.

13.10.2023 | Minister of Education Anna-Maja Henriksson will visit India on 16–20 October to promote the export activities of Finnish education operators and to meet Indian ministers and education authorities. The visit will focus on comprehensive level and upper secondary vocational education in the three southern states of India, which have shown a clear interest in Finland: Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Na...

9.11.2022 | The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is financing ‘Coach’, a World Bank initiative to improve teacher development programmes. Coach experts visited Finland from 7 to 8 November 2022.

5.8.2022 | For the 2023 budget proposal, the Ministry of Education and Culture proposes an appropriation of EUR 7.6 billion for its branch of government, which is EUR 175 million more than in the 2022 Budget.

3.10.2022 | The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has published its annual Education at a Glance publication, which consists of internationally comparable indicators of education systems. The main theme of this year’s edition focuses on tertiary education. The report mainly covers 2020.

22.8.2024 | A working group appointed by the Ministry of Transport and Communications has started its work to promote 6G communications technologies. The aim is to prepare a national 6G roadmap and to encourage cooperation and exchange of information in the field of future-generation wireless network technologies. Members of the working group represent key central government bodies as well as stakeholders in the research and business sector.

1.3.2023 | Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari led a broad delegation on a visit to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan from 21 to 24 February. The Team Finland visit was organised in collaboration with EastCham Finland, which is a Finnish chambers of commerce focusing on the Central Asian market. Emerging economies are interested in Finnish expertise in such sectors as education, energy and the environment.

14.4.2023 | Finland aims to become the world’s leading developer and user of sustainable digitalisation in teaching and education and training. This aim will also promote equal opportunities for learning and development. The common policies published on 14 April 2023 point the way for the sector's digital transformation.

11.2.2021 | The minimum school leaving age will be raised to 18 years. This first applies to those school-leavers who finish comprehensive school this spring. The Ministry of Education and Culture provides information on the reform to young people in the social media. School-leavers finishing comprehensive school will also be sent information on the reform to their home address.

12.6.2023 | Finland is supporting UN sustainable development goals by channelling aid to demonstrably effective UN agencies. This support for UNFPA, UNICEF, UN Women and UNDP promotes Finland’s foreign policy goals and values, such as enhancing the rights and equality of women and girls, and people with disabilities.

7.12.2021 | Dear friends, Over the last couple of years, European societies have been faced with an unprecedented amount of sudden change and turmoil. It has been impossible to miss how immensely important resiliency is for our societies. Our ability to adapt to new circumstances has been greatly tested, underlining the need to invest in skills – that is to say, to invest in people. Europe’s future wellbeing ...

23.11.2022 | The Ministerial Council of the European Space Agency (ESA) was held in Paris on 22–23 November 2022. At the Ministerial Council, which is organised every three years, the Member States decide on the priorities, programmes and funding of ESA’s activities for the coming years.

12.5.2022 | The Teacher Education Development Programme for 2022-2026 aims to meet the new needs of teacher education in the context of the 2020s. The revised programme was published on Thursday 12 May.

28.4.2022 | Finnish universities and universities of applied sciences will open up new study opportunities to help Ukrainians entering the country. Students will be given opportunities to start or continue their studies, and researchers will be offered the opportunity to continue their research work in Finland.

3.5.2023 | On 3 May 2023, a steering group appointed by the Ministry of Transport and Communications to examine the possible establishment of a Finnish space situational awareness centre issued a report recommending that the centre be established. It could be started by 2026.

10.3.2022 | The Government proposes that the President of the Republic approve the amendment to the Act on the Finnish Broadcasting Company and that the date of its entry into force be 1 August 2022. The Act on the Finnish Broadcasting Company, YLE, is to be amended so that the text-based online content published by YLE would be more closely linked to its audio or video content broadcasts.

10.3.2022 | The Government proposes that the President of the Republic approve the amendment to the Act on the Finnish Broadcasting Company and that the date of its entry into force be 1 August 2022. The Act on the Finnish Broadcasting Company, YLE, is to be amended so that the text-based online content published by YLE would be more closely linked to its audio or video content broadcasts.

11.9.2025 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications requested comments on a draft government proposal to amend the taxi regulation. Over 150 responses were submitted between 24 April and 6 June 2025. The Ministry published a summary of the comments on 11 September 2025.

9.2.2023 | The Government has adopted a resolution on Finland’s third National Roma Policy (ROMPO 3). The key objective of the National Roma Policy for 2023–2030 is to support Roma inclusion, participation and equality and to end discrimination by tackling antigypsyism.

22.9.2025 | The Finnish Government proposes EUR 14.8 billion in appropriations for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and its branch of government for 2026. This is about EUR 0.5 billion less than in the 2025 Budget.

27.10.2025 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications is inviting comments on a draft government proposal to amend the Driving Licence Act. The proposal aims to improve road safety for young people. Comments may be submitted until 14 December 2025.

2.9.2025 | The Government of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has reached a decision on its budget proposal for 2026. The Government’s decisions aim to support economic growth, which is picking up. Supporting economic growth and continuing responsible fiscal management is necessary to ensure the security of people in Finland and safeguard their access to important services going forward.

12.10.2021 | The Centre of Expertise, newly established under the Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI), will strengthen Finland’s role in resolving the global learning crisis. The Centre will facilitate the deployment of Finnish education sector expertise in development cooperation and support efforts to strengthen equitable and inclusive quality education in developing countries. At the same time,...

12.10.2021 | A Swedish translation of the Finnish integration glossary has been published. The glossary on integration harmonises the use of concepts related to integration, equality and discrimination.

20.11.2021 | This year, mothers were awarded decorations for their merits as educators at regional ceremonies held on Universal Children’s Day on 20 November 2021.

28.5.2025 | The Government submitted its second supplementary budget proposal for 2025 to Parliament on 28 May. The supplementary budget proposal includes investments in preparedness and transport projects, among other things.

8.8.2025 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health proposes appropriations of EUR 14.8 billion for the Ministry and its branch of government for 2026. This is about EUR 475 million less than in the 2025 Budget. The funding of wellbeing services counties is not included in the appropriations for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and its branch of government. Instead, it falls under the main title of the Ministry of Finance.

29.3.2023 | Minister of Science and Culture Petri Honkonen has appointed CEO, Master of Music Kaisa Rönkkö as Director of the Arts Promotion Centre (Taike) for the term 1 August 2023–31 July 2028.

31.3.2025 | Joint Finnish-Swedish proposal prepared for dipnet fishing in the Torne River rapids for inscription on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The decision on inscription is due in December 2026.

15.5.2023 | The priorities and objectives of the WORK2030 programme responded well to the needs to develop working life, according to an external assessment. The programme supported earlier development work and succeeded in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in particular. The programme played an active role in implementing the ongoing reform of continuous learning at workplaces.

7.10.2021 | The Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Transport and Communications have appointed a working group to look into models that would broaden the financial base for audiovisual productions. The working group is to explore possibilities of imposing an obligation on actors in the audiovisual industry to invest in Finnish content production.

2.3.2023 | Minister of the Interior Krista Mikkonen, Minister of Local Government Sirpa Paatero, Minister of Employment Tuula Haatainen and Minister of Education Li Andersson stress the importance of smooth daily life for people who have fled Ukraine. Those who have secured a municipality of residence will have the same rights, services and duties as permanent residents in Finland.

25.2.2026 | Varkaus – a living industrial cultural heritage – was awarded the Cultural Heritage Label by the European Commission. The label is designated to sites located in the European Union that strongly embody the history, culture and integration of Europe.

23.9.2024 | The Finnish Government proposes about EUR 15.2 billion in appropriations for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and its administrative branch for 2025. This is about EUR 1.1 billion less than in 2024.

28.6.2023 | The Ministry of Education and Culture has drawn up an action plan to promote diversity in the arts and culture. The action plan is based on the final report which a working group appointed by the Ministry published in 2021. The action plan aims to take into account the diversity of the Finnish population in all planning and decision-making in the arts and cultural policy.

9.8.2024 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health proposes appropriations of EUR 15.1 billion for the Ministry and its administrative branch for 2025. This is approximately EUR 1.2 billion less than in 2024.

1.9.2022 | The budget proposal for 2023 of Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s Government builds sustainable growth for the future, secures purchasing power and assists people with the hike in electricity prices. The budget proposal responds to the effects of Russia’s war of aggression and inflation, improves safety and security, security of supply, and energy self-sufficiency, and provides further investment in research and development and in the green transition.

1.9.2022 | The budget proposal for 2023 of Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s Government builds sustainable growth for the future, secures purchasing power and assists people with the hike in electricity prices. The budget proposal responds to the effects of Russia’s war of aggression and inflation, improves safety and security, security of supply, and energy self-sufficiency, and provides further investment in research and development and in the green transition.

10.1.2024 | Finland's next element to be inscribed on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity concerns the dipnet fishing tradition along the Torne River. The proposal concerning the living tradition along the border river will be prepared in cooperation with Sweden, which will also coordinate the multinational application. The aim is to submit the application to UNESCO in March 2025.

27.2.2023 | The majority of Finns consider that Finland can improve its competitiveness by investing in climate solutions and new kinds of competencies. Besides climate change, biodiversity loss has emerged as a serious environmental crisis, and the majority of the people are of the opinion that solutions to climate change and biodiversity loss should be sought as a whole.