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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.

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,...

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.

6.6.2024 | On 20 March 2024, the European Commission proposed a directive that would improve the working conditions of trainees and combat regular employment relationships disguised as traineeships. The proposal contains a number of provisions that would help trainees secure their rights.

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.

28.6.2023 | 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.

21.5.2024 | According to the programme of the Petteri Orpo’s Government, state capital investment activities will be enhanced by centralising them in Finnish Industry Investment Group. Since autumn 2023, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has comprehensively evaluated the various options for the implementation of corporate restructuring and has decided on a model in which the operations of Clim...

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.

31.3.2022 | The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, together with the European Commission, has launched a competition to promote European entrepreneurship in 2022. You can participate in the national selection by 3 June 2022. The two best candidates from Finland will compete at the European level, where the most successful promoters of business and entrepreneurship will receive an award.

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.

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.

13.4.2023 | The new act will lay down provisions on the organisation of the activities of patient ombudspersons and social services ombudspersons and their independence, qualifications and duties. It will also include provisions on the processing of personal data.

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.

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.

17.6.2021 | The entrepreneurship programme Draft Program of the Karelia University of Applied Sciences in Joensuu and the Kuopio Living Lab product development and testing service concept of the City of Kuopio are the winners of Finland’s national competition for the European Enterprise Promotion Awards.

17.11.2022 | The Government proposes that a new act be enacted on patient ombudspersons and social services ombudspersons. The act would lay down provisions on the organisation of the activities of patient ombudspersons and social services ombudspersons and their independence, qualifications and duties. The act would also include provisions on the processing of personal data. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

17.3.2022 | The new national event on working life will provide a platform for developing the Finnish world of work in the long term. 

7.1.2022 | In its first meeting on Friday 7 January, the ministerial working group on COVID-19 was briefed on the epidemiological situation, the spread of the Omicron variant, the burden on and capacity of the healthcare system, and the progress of vaccinations.

7.1.2022 | In its first meeting on Friday 7 January, the ministerial working group on COVID-19 was briefed on the epidemiological situation, the spread of the Omicron variant, the burden on and capacity of the healthcare system, and the progress of vaccinations.

18.10.2022 | The aim of this report dealing with data protection and the copyright infrastructure is to promote the development of the digital services provided by collective management organisations for copyright (CMOs). In order to use the ISNI identifier there was a need to clarify how and to what extent CMOs can supply personal data to the ISNI database and other copyright management organisations considering the impact of the General Data Protection Regulation.

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.

21.12.2021 | In its negotiations on Tuesday 21 December, the Government discussed the COVID-19 situation and decided on new restrictions and other necessary measures. In addition to increasing vaccination coverage, effective national and regional measures to limit close contacts are needed to slow down the spread of the epidemic. This will allow more time for giving people third vaccine doses.

21.4.2021 | The Government outlined a support package for culture, art, physical activity and the event production industry. The package will help culture, art, physical activity and the event production industry recover from the pandemic. The aim is to support content producers and create conditions for organisers to generate work in the sector and provide people with opportunities to participate in events when society will open up.

21.12.2021 | In its negotiations on Tuesday 21 December, the Government discussed the COVID-19 situation and decided on new restrictions and other necessary measures. In addition to increasing vaccination coverage, effective national and regional measures to limit close contacts are needed to slow down the spread of the epidemic. This will allow more time for giving people third vaccine doses.

21.4.2021 | The Government outlined a support package for culture, art, physical activity and the event production industry. The package will help culture, art, physical activity and the event production industry recover from the pandemic. The aim is to support content producers and create conditions for organisers to generate work in the sector and provide people with opportunities to participate in events when society will open up.

15.12.2021 | UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee has inscribed Kaustinen folk fiddle playing to its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity at its currently ongoing meeting in Paris on December 15. The Nordic clinker boat tradition, which Finland proposed for inscription together with the other Nordic countries, was also inscribed. Currently, UNESCO’s lists of intangible cultural heritage include more than 600 elements from around the world.

23.6.2021 | Knowledge, techniques and skills related to hand-made glass are being prepared to be submitted to the UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Besides Finland, the multinational application coordinated by France includes Germany, Spain and the Czech Republic.

17.11.2021 | The Draft Program – an entrepreneurship programme by the Karelia University of Applied Sciences – was given a special mention in the European Enterprise Promotion Awards (EEPA). The Joensuu-based project was recognised for its innovation and creativity in disseminating local good practices to other entrepreneurs starting in the area.

23.6.2021 | Minister of Science and Culture Antti Kurvinen has allocated nearly three million euros towards developing cultural tourism. This appropriation will contribute to the objective in the Government Programme of Prime Minister Sanna Marin to boost cultural tourism. The objective is linked to promoting the conditions for the creative industries to operate. The appropriation will also support culture ...

23.10.2023 | Finland and the EU have continued their active support for the Ukrainian authorities to mitigate the effects of the Russian attacks. The Ministry of the Interior coordinates the assistance that Finland sends to Ukraine through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism together with the European Emergency Response Coordination Centre ERCC. Most of the material sent to Ukraine has been donated by private and public sector operators.

1.2.2021 | Finland proposes listing a set of 13 sites representing Alvar Aalto’s humane architecture as a cultural heritage site on the tentative list of UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The holy place of worship of Ukonsaari by the Saami people in Inari will remain on the list of sites on the national tentative list.

22.6.2021 |  A glossary on integration, published by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, harmonises the use of concepts related to integration, equality and discrimination. The new glossary emphasises equality and immigrants’ active role.  Instead of kotouttaminen, the glossary recommends the use of kotoutumisen edistäminen.

15.6.2021 | The Real Time Economy project will create the conditions for companies to move to real-time economy. Invoices and receipts will be electronic, for example, and business information will be automatically transferred between different systems. Up-to-date information and its automated processing will increase productivity in both companies and public administration.

10.3.2023 | Ukraine has requested support from Finland, particularly to meet the immediate and longer-term needs related to education, the environment and radiation safety. Finland will provide Ukraine with EUR 29 million in humanitarian assistance and development cooperation support.

11.12.2023 | The International Gender Equality Prize was awarded to the Afghan Women Skills Development Center, which works to promote and protect the rights of women in Afghanistan. The organisation does important humanitarian work to promote the safety of Afghan women.

13.11.2025 | With a budget of almost EUR 28 million, the ACWA LIFE project is one of the most significant projects during the history of water resources management in Finland. The eight-year project to be started in the beginning of 2026 will improve the status of waters by enhancing river basin management planning and actions based on this in five areas.

20.11.2025 | On Thursday 20 November, the Government submitted its proposal to Parliament to amend the budget proposal for 2026. It includes proposals to launch new transport projects and to support Ukraine. The proposal will decrease the revenue estimate by EUR 189 million and increase the requirement for appropriations by EUR 455 million.

27.8.2025 | A wide range of events will take place at built heritage sites, arranged by local heritage associations, museums and many other actors across Finland. A photo challenge and a storytelling competition for children and young people will also attract people to explore and document the built treasures of the country.

30.7.2025 | During the summer, there have been significantly more drownings and serious near misses than usual at public swimming areas. The Ministry of the Interior, the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes), the National Police Board of Finland and the Finnish Swimming Teaching and Lifesaving Federation met on 30 July to discuss safety at swimming areas.

16.4.2024 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government has agreed on the General Government Fiscal Plan for 2025–2028. The Government has made decisions that will improve the sustainability of public finances and create conditions for reversing the trend in indebtedness. The decisions aim to safeguard the key factors for future prosperity: employment, security, and knowledge and competence. Fairness has been one of the guiding principles of the decisions.

16.4.2024 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government has agreed on the General Government Fiscal Plan for 2025–2028. The Government has made decisions that will improve the sustainability of public finances and create conditions for reversing the trend in indebtedness. The decisions aim to safeguard the key factors for future prosperity: employment, security, and knowledge and competence. Fairness has been one of the guiding principles of the decisions.

6.8.2025 | The Ministry of Finance's draft budget for 2026 implements the guidelines of the Government’s spring mid-term policy review and includes the Minister of Finance's new adjustment measures proposed by the Minister of Finance to ensure that the debt ratio stabilises towards the end of the parliamentary term. The draft budget totals EUR 89.6 billion and involves a deficit of EUR 9.9 billion. When enter...

11.8.2022 | The Government’s proposal to amend the act on residence permits for researchers has been sent out for comments. It would extend the duration of residence permits to make it easier for researchers to stay in Finland and conduct research. At the same time, it would improve the position of researchers conducting postgraduate research. 

9.10.2023 | The Finnish Government proposes about EUR 16.2 billion in appropriations for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and its administrative branch for 2024. This is slightly over EUR 134 million more than in the 2023 Budget. The increase is due to needs assessment changes in pensions, for example, and to the implementation of reforms set out in the Government Programme.

19.9.2022 | World leaders are meeting again in the high-level week of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York. The week is an opportunity for Finland to reinforce partnerships, to emphasise the significance of the UN and multilateral cooperation in addressing global problems and to highlight themes that are important for Finland’s foreign and security policy.

24.5.2021 | The Ministry of the Interior has submitted the draft equality and non-discrimination action plan for rescue services for statements. The aim of the action plan is rescue services that actively and systematically promote equality in the long term. The draft action plan will be out for comments from 24 May to 30 June 2021.

15.10.2021 | The EU Digital COVID Certificate will be introduced nationally. In practice, this means that in Finland the COVID-19 passport can be used in situations and premises which are subject to restrictions. In addition, the temporary provisions of the Communicable Diseases Act which help prevent COVID-19 infections of foreign origin from spreading into Finland will remain in force.

20.5.2022 | The second supplementary budget proposal for 2022 responds to appropriations needs directly caused by Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine and mitigates the harm caused by COVID-19 to children and young people.

20.5.2022 | The second supplementary budget proposal for 2022 responds to appropriations needs directly caused by Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine and mitigates the harm caused by COVID-19 to children and young people.

24.9.2021 | Achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during this decade will require significant changes to the way the public and private sectors allocate their investments. Finland’s sustainable financing roadmap, which will be published on 24 September 2021, will provide guidelines for the allocation of funding solutions to sustainable investments that need to be increased during this decade.

9.9.2021 | The budget proposal of Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s Government for 2022 builds sustainable growth for the future in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. The budget proposal aims to support post-pandemic recovery, accelerate investments, enable environmentally sustainable growth and increase the availability of skilled labour. The goal is to safeguard people’s wellbeing and to ensure favourable conditions for sustainable economic growth in the long term.

9.9.2021 | The budget proposal of Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s Government for 2022 builds sustainable growth for the future in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. The budget proposal aims to support post-pandemic recovery, accelerate investments, enable environmentally sustainable growth and increase the availability of skilled labour. The goal is to safeguard people’s wellbeing and to ensure favourable conditions for sustainable economic growth in the long term.

4.11.2021 | The fourth supplementary budget proposal for 2021 will reduce the central government’s net borrowing requirement for this year by approximately EUR 2.2 billion. The proposal takes into account changes in needs estimates resulting from the economic upturn and increases in tax revenue estimates. On the whole, the supplementary budget proposal envisages a reduction of approximately EUR 249 million in appropriations for 2021.

4.11.2021 | The fourth supplementary budget proposal for 2021 will reduce the central government’s net borrowing requirement for this year by approximately EUR 2.2 billion. The proposal takes into account changes in needs estimates resulting from the economic upturn and increases in tax revenue estimates. On the whole, the supplementary budget proposal envisages a reduction of approximately EUR 249 million in appropriations for 2021.

5.4.2022 | Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s Government has agreed on the General Government Fiscal Plan for 2023–2026. In its spending limits discussion, the Government decided on extensive measures that will strengthen security, create a vision for the future and build sustainable growth.

5.4.2022 | Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s Government has agreed on the General Government Fiscal Plan for 2023–2026. In its spending limits discussion, the Government decided on extensive measures that will strengthen security, create a vision for the future and build sustainable growth.