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National strategic choices for research, development and innovation policy and activities The Multiannual Plan for the Use of Government Research and Development Funding states that Finland’s future success will be built on strategic choices in re...

29.1.2026 | The Government will provide targeted separate funding to South Karelia and Vakka‑Suomi for measures that promote re‑employment and improve skills. Both regions have faced an abrupt structural change (ASC, or ÄRM in Finnish) that has required regional action. In addition, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has decided to allocate European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funding to impr...

15.6.2026 | The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has adopted Finland’s first comprehensive Indo-Pacific policy, responding to the region’s growing economic and geopolitical significance.

15.6.2026 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications published the final report of the Digital Panel on 15 June 2026. The report presents recommendations for measures to strengthen Finland’s economic growth, competitiveness and capacity for renewal through digitalisation, emerging technologies and the data economy.

15.6.2026 | A working group led by the Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Defence examined the coordination of habitat restoration and national defence and identified means to promote their shared objectives. The working group concluded that there are major synergies between restoration and national defence. In particular, the restoration of mires has significance for national defence in eastern and northern Finland.

23.4.2026 | The evaluation of Finland’s National World Heritage Strategy (2015–2025) finds that implementation has been broad‑based and substantive. The strategy has reinforced Finland’s standing as a responsible steward of world heritage and deepened cooperation between world heritage sites. The findings and the role of the strategy were discussed at the World Heritage Forum in Vaasa.

The amended programme document Interreg AURORA 2021-2027 VERSION 3.0 After reallocation of Interreg NEXT Kolarctic and Interreg NEXT Karelia 1 CCI 2021TC16RFCB027 Title (Interreg VI-A) Sweden-Finland-Norway (AURORA) Version 3.0 First year 2021 Las...

3.6.2026 | In their declaration, the European ministers responsible for forests committed to strengthening the role of sustainable forest management in safeguarding the future of Europe’s forests amid rapidly changing environmental, economic, social and geopolitical conditions. In addition, at their meeting in Stockholm on 2–3 June 2026, the ministers reaffirmed their support for the recovery and sustainable management of Ukraine’s forests and the rebuilding of its forest sector.

12.5.2026 | A joint vision for higher education and research, titled Bildung as a Vision for Finland, is due to be completed in June. The vision represents Finland’s pledge for the future of higher education and research and is based on the current strengths and policies of the higher education system. The vision will be finalised during the spring under the leadership of the vision's steering group and the support of the parliamentary monitoring group.

3.6.2026 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo spoke at the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting on 3 June 2026. Check against delivery.

15.1.2026 | Finland and Åland led the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2025. The priorities for the Co-Presidency were children and youth as well as societal security.

19.5.2026 | Opening speech by Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen at the LDC Future Forum in Helsinki on 19 May 2026.

10.2.2026 | The National Dialogues held in the autumn of 2025 talked about the Finnish concept of ‘sisu’. The dialogues highlighted that sisu is needed in Finland today, as the country is facing challenges such as the weakening of the service structures of the welfare state and changes in the security environment.

9.1.2026 | The Research and Innovation Council has outlined five national strategic choices for research, development and innovation (RDI) policy and activities with a view to boosting sustainable growth and promoting economic and societal renewal while strengthening comprehensive security. The Research and Innovation Council published a report on the strategic choices on 9 January.

4.2.2026 | The Research and Innovation Council has kicked off the implementation of the national strategic choices for research, development and innovation (RDI) policy and activities by inviting key actors to take part in a joint discussion. The stakeholder event on Wednesday 4 February brought together business leaders, researchers, representatives of higher education institutions and research institutes ...

1.12.2025 | The EU ministers will attend the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council in Brussels on 1 and 2 December 2025. On both days, Finland will be represented by Minister of Social Affairs and Health Kaisa Juuso.

18.6.2025 | The Strategic Research Council (SRC) has decided the strategic research themes it proposes to the Finnish Government for 2026. Mikael Fogelholm, Chair of the SRC, submitted the proposal to State Secretary Risto Artjoki on 18 June 2025 at the Government Palace.

17.11.2025 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo spoke at the AI Summit in Turku, Finland, on 17 November. Speech to be checked against delivery.

6.10.2025 | Biodiversity is declining in Europe. Emissions have been reduced, but the pace is not fast enough. The recent report of the European Environment Agency EEA explores the state of the environment in Europe, including Finland’s challenges and success stories. The report stresses that, in the end, all human activities depend on nature.

16.1.2026 | The annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) will take place in Davos, Switzerland, on 19–23 January. Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen and Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will attend the meeting.

18.9.2025 | Growing uncertainty about the future means it is important to identify alternative paths of development in the operating environment in order to support preparedness. The Government Report on the Future responds to this need. Part I of the Government Report on the Future was submitted to Parliament on Thursday 18 September.

18.9.2025 | Nordic media education authorities studied the media literacy skills of citizens in the Nordic countries and the results of the survey will be published in October. Media literacy was a topic of discussion at a Nordic conference organised by the Ministry of Education and Culture on 18 and 19 September.

31.7.2025 | Closing Remarks by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Elina Valtonen, at the Helsinki+50 Conference, held at Finlandia Hall in Helsinki on 31 July 2025.

26.5.2025 | In an era marked by an increasing frequency and complexity of crises, the eight Nordic governments share a commitment to foster resilience and ensure effective civil preparedness. Leveraging our unique geographical, cultural and historical bonds, we highlight our unwavering commitment to peace, security and stability.

14.1.2026 | Finland’s withdrawal from the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (Ottawa Convention) took effect on 10 January 2026. The Finnish defence administration will start planning the reintroduction of anti-personnel mines into the range of Finland’s defence capabilities.

22.9.2025 | The Ministry of Education and Culture’s proportion of the 2026 budget proposal is EUR 8.9 billion, which is some EUR 4.4 million more than in the 2025 Budget. Despite continued pressure on general government finances, the proposal maintains investment in education, research and competence.

25.8.2025 | "We are living through an exceptionally powerful transformation on the international scene. In the current challenging operational environment, we need a strong Foreign Service to promote Finland’s interests."

5.9.2025 | The Ministry of Education and Culture invites stakeholders and actors in the higher education and research sector to continue the joint discussion on the future. With a shared vision, Finland can respond to global and societal changes and shape the future we want.

7.2.2025 | The Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs introduces the guidelines for sustainable meeting practices that it has updated in cooperation with WWF Finland. The principles outlined in these guidelines will be observed in all events of the OSCE Chairpersonship organised in Finland in 2025. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is committed to promoting sustainability in all events.

20.1.2022 | Architecture affects the wellbeing of people and nature in significant ways. Good architecture and design stand the test of time and can be converted into new use if necessary. These are key themes in Finland’s new architectural policy programme. The programme sets out objectives and measures for developing the sustainability of the built environment comprehensively between 2022 and 2035.

8.12.2021 | The Nordic Welfare Forum will be held on 8–9 December 2021 as part of Finland’s Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2021. The Forum is one of the main events in the health and social sector during Finland’s Presidency.

11.5.2022 | Prime Minister Sanna Marin gave a keynote speech at a high-level seminar exploring the impacts of digitalisation on society in Tokyo on 11 May 2022. Prime Minister’s speech to be checked against delivery.

11.5.2022 | Prime Minister Sanna Marin gave a keynote speech at a high-level seminar exploring the impacts of digitalisation on society in Tokyo on 11 May 2022. Prime Minister’s speech to be checked against delivery.

2.10.2024 | Ministers responsible for forest affairs in Europe signed a declaration on the development of sustainable forest management and decided to set up a facility that will focus on anticipating and managing the risks to forests. The declaration was signed by 35 Member States and supported by more than 20 observer organisations. Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah represented Finland at the Conference, held in Bonn, Germany on 1–2 October 2024.

9.2.2022 | The Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture organised the Nordic Nord StarT Climate Change Competition in autumn 2021. The competition was part of the programme of Finland’s Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2021. Organised in cooperation with the LUMA Centre Finland’s StarT programme, the competition aimed to engage children, young people and adults, all the way from early childh...

27.8.2025 | "I’m glad to see strong momentum for Nordic cooperation. Our goal is a united and strong Nordic region that benefits us all."

13.6.2025 | The recipients of the 2025 State Award for Public Information have two things in common: they give a voice to those often left unheard and they challenge the status quo. Their work invites us to look at the world with curiosity, empathy and a critical eye.

13.12.2024 | On 10 December 2024, the Finnish Ministry of Defence set up a project to examine the need to amend the Act on the Expropriation of Immovable Property and Special Rights to Ensure National Security.

16.5.2024 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications has published its third sustainability report. It contains information on the measures taken by the Ministry to promote the achievement of the UN’s Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals in 2023. 

22.5.2025 | The efficiency of examining asylum applications will be improved. At the same time, restrictions will be placed on the ability of beneficiaries of international protection to visit the countries from which they have fled. The enforcement of deportation decisions will also be streamlined. The Government submitted the new amendments to the Aliens Act for approval on 22 May. The President of the Republic is scheduled to approve the amendments on 23 May, and they will enter into force on 1 June.

16.10.2024 | The Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) will convene in Cali, Colombia on 21 October–1 November 2024. The main objective of COP16 is to agree on the implementation of the global biodiversity targets and the related monitoring. Finland’s delegation will be led by Minister of Climate and the Environment Kai Mykkänen.

26.4.2024 | On 26 April, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland’s priorities for exerting influence on the EU’s next multiannual financial framework and discussed the Commission communications on managing climate risks and on accelerating biotechnology and biomanufacturing. In addition, the Ministerial Committee outlined Finland’s positions for two upcoming informal ministerial meetings.

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.

12.4.2024 | Minister of Economic Affairs Wille Rydman will attend the European Commission’s Cohesion Forum in Brussels on 11–12 April 2024. The 9th Cohesion Forum will discuss the importance of the European Union’s cohesion policy for the wellbeing of regions and their inhabitants.

8.5.2025 | The series of social security dialogues held by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the Timeout Foundation brought out a wide variety of views and development suggestions from citizens on the future of social security. The outcomes of the dialogues will be presented at a webinar on 15 May 2025.

8.12.2023 | Finland will use new REPowerEU funding to speed up the transition to clean energy. The EU’s Economic and Financial Affairs Council approved the REPowerEU chapter of Finland’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) on Friday 8 December.

1.4.2025 | The security environment in Finland and Europe has changed fundamentally. Russia poses a long-term threat to Europe. This requires the Government to take action. Finland will continue to strengthen its defence on a threat-informed and needs-driven basis.

29.1.2024 | The REPowerEU call for applications in the Sustainable Growth Programme for Finland (Recovery and Resilience Plan) has been launched. The call will close on 29 February 2024. Businesses and organisations can apply for financial support for energy investments that promote the clean transition. The call for applications includes approximately EUR 54.5 million in investment aid for projects where the eligible costs exceed EUR 5 million.

23.1.2024 | The EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council discussed international trade in agricultural products, the organisation of the strategic dialogue on the future of agriculture, a proposal for a regulation on a forest monitoring framework and, on Finland’s initiative, large carnivore matters.

9.4.2025 | Prime Minister Orpo’s Government has set an objective of adjusting public sector activities to ensure that the national economy is on a sustainable footing. At the moment, it looks like it will be difficult to achieve this objective over the next few years though. The decision-makers in the wellbeing services counties are in a key role here. Reaching fiscal balance in general government finances is essential.

6.3.2025 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications has launched the TUUTTI project for security and growth through communications networks. This project will formulate national policies for developing a secure communications network infrastructure fostering sustainable growth and competitiveness through digitalisation until 2037.

4.12.2024 | In line with the Programme of Prime Minister Orpo's Government, Finland's Cyber Security Strategy has been revised to respond to the changed security environment. The objectives of the revised strategy extend to 2035. A strategy implementation plan has been drawn to describe the development measures to achieve the objectives. The plan was approved on 3 December 2024 by the steering group of the project developing an operating model for government security management.

6.2.2025 | The Research and Innovation Council is identifying national strategic choices for RDI policy and activities before the Government’s mid-term policy review in April. As part of the preparations, the Council will hold a consultation round from 26 February to 10 March and an open stakeholder event on 28 February 2025. In the earlier stages of the process, stakeholders emphasised the need to take a long-t...

5.10.2023 | The Government approved the proposal for the REPowerEU chapter of Finland’s Recovery and Resilience Plan. The chapter includes measures to speed up environmental permit procedures, research on clean energy and investments in the clean transition.

22.6.2023 | EU foreign ministers will convene in Luxembourg on 26 June. Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will represent Finland at the meeting.

3.5.2024 | On 3 May, the Ministry of Education and Culture published the 2024 Bildung Review, which compiles statistical and other information on the administrative branch of the Ministry, its development and situation in international comparison. The themes for 2024 are regionality, life cycle and the fields of education and culture. The objective of the annually published review is to create an overall picture of the extensive administrative branch as a whole.

5.9.2023 | Finland is using new REPowerEU funding to promote the transition to clean energy. The Ministry of Finance is requesting comments on its proposal for projects to be funded.

26.4.2023 | In future, the state will need to play a more active role in steering the economy. According to a study published on 26 April, short-term shocks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, have required the active involvement of states to ensure the sustainability of their economies and societies.

28.6.2022 | Reports related to the evaluation of elite sports launched by the Ministry of Education and Culture in autumn 2021 have been produced. The evaluation group has identified many fundamental weaknesses in the Finnish system of elite sports. The evaluation consists of analyses by a national and an international research group.

24.7.2023 | The first stocktaking meeting of the UN Food Systems Summit held two years ago takes place in Rome on 24–26 July. Finland highlights its experiences as a frontrunner in providing school meals.