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15.6.2026 | The Ministry of Education and Culture has published Bildung as a Way Forward for Finland – A vision for higher education and research for 2040, a scenario developed in collaboration with higher education institutions, decision-makers, and actors in higher education and research to guide Finland’s future direction. The vision, published on 15 June 2026, sets out objectives for higher education and resear...

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.

16.3.2026 | In its meeting on Wednesday 11 March, the parliamentary research, development and innovation (RDI) monitoring group discussed the use of additional central government funding for research and development (R&D). Representatives of the Council of Rectors of Finnish Universities UNIFI, the Rectors’ Conference of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences Arene and the Consortium of State Research Institutions Tulanet attended the meeting to share their views.

18.12.2025 | In autumn 2025, a parliamentary monitoring group to support the process to prepare a vision for higher education and research discussed common objectives for higher education and research up to 2040. The group is chaired by Member of Parliament Maaret Castrén.

8.5.2026 | The EU ministers responsible for education, youth, culture and sport will meet in Brussels on 11–12 May. Education ministers are expected to adopt a general approach on the next Erasmus+ programme and outline the role of artificial intelligence in education. Other items on the agenda include the EU Youth Dialogue, the new AgoraEU programme, and mental health in sport.

11.3.2025 | The working group on responsible international cooperation set up by the Ministry of Education and Culture has published recommendations that emphasise openness, reciprocity and risk management in international cooperation in higher education and research. The recommendations aim to safeguard academic freedom while also ensuring that international cooperation upholds democracy and ethical choices.

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 ...

25.11.2025 | The EU ministers responsible for education, youth, culture and sport will meet in Brussels on 27–28 November. The Council’s agenda includes vocational education and training, the European Education Area, the Erasmus+ programme, the importance of culture for democratic resilience, the AgoraEU programme, and democracy and transparency in sport. The Oulu European Capital of Culture 2026 project will also be presented at the meeting.

19.10.2023 | The Government has appointed Sirkku Linna as Director General at the Ministry of Education and Culture for a fixed-term public-service relationship between 1 December 2023 and 30 November 2028. She will head the Department for Higher Education and Science Policy at the Ministry.

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.

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.

9.5.2025 | The topics on the agenda include the joint European degree label and the role of education in preventing inequality. The Council will also discuss the impact of disinformation, manipulation and cyber threats on young people and delve into the future strategic priorities for the cultural sector in the EU. Council conclusions are expected on the promotion of sport and physical activity in the educational context.

22.2.2022 | Birgitta Vuorinen joined the Finnish Embassy in London in early January as a senior specialist in higher education and science policy. She relocated to London from the Ministry of Education and Culture, where she worked as Director of the Division for Higher Education Policy. The UK thus became the ninth area of expertise for the Team Finland Knowledge network. Vuorinen’s task is to follow higher educat...

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.

22.11.2024 | The EU ministers responsible for education, youth, culture and sport will meet in Brussels on 25–26 November. Topics on their agenda include boosting Europe's skills and competitiveness through higher education, opportunities for young people in rural and remote areas, role of libraries in media literacy development, and key features of the European Sport Model, which are based on the values of free...

15.2.2023 | The Ministry of Education and Culture published on Wednesday 15 February an Outlook Review of the Officials of the Ministry of Education and Culture on the Next Government Term.  In the future, too, Finland’s success, wellbeing and sustainable growth can only be based on the growth of human and social capital and innovation.

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.

31.3.2025 | The working group on population policy has submitted its memorandum ‘Measures to boost the birth rate and support people to have children’ to Minister Sanni Grahn-Laasonen. Feedback on the memorandum containing the working group’s proposals can be submitted until 7 April 2025 to support the relevant consultation event.

26.2.2025 | The Research and Innovation Council requests comments on the strategic choices for RDI policy and activities to be submitted between 26 February and 10 March. The preparation group of the Research and Innovation Council decided on the proposals for choices to be circulated for comments at its meeting on 25 February.

9.3.2022 | Minister of Science and Culture Antti Kurvinen decided on Wednesday 9 March on new policies on Russia with regard to higher education and research and on preparations related to support for Ukraine.

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.

Governments and ministers You can browse the information on the site by government, minister, ministerial title and ministry. All ministers are listed for each government, along with their terms of office. The information on individual ministers i...

2.12.2021 | Commissioned by the Ministry of Education and Culture, the project examines how equality, non-discrimination and diversity among staff members can be promoted in Finnish higher education institutions. Based on the study, concrete proposals for measures will be developed for higher education institutions and for national policy approaches.

Research and Innovation Council The Research and Innovation Council is an advisory body led by the Prime Minister. Its goal is to develop research and innovation policy that supports wellbeing, education and culture and promotes economically, soci...

Ministerial portfolios and deputising At its first plenary session, the Government decides on the division of responsibilities between ministers, for ministries with more than one minister. Ministers are of equal status within the ministry. Each m...

3.2.2021 | The Digivision 2030, a joint project between Finnish universities and universities of applied sciences, will bring greater opportunities for all learners to learn flexibly. The aim is to restructure Finland’s higher education over the next decade by means of digitalisation and to make Finland a model country for flexible learning.

10.2.2022 | The working group set up by the Ministry of Education and Culture to monitor and assess the introduction of tuition fees in higher education has completed its work. The working group monitored and evaluated between 2017 and 2021 how the introduction of tuition fees impacted the international dimension and student flows in higher education institutions. It also collected information on tuition fees used by higher education institutions and their grant and scholarship practices.

15.6.2021 | The objective of the higher education accessibility plan preparation has been entered in the Government Programme. According to the Government’s education policy report, the Government will decide on the goals and guidelines on measures to improve equality in the higher education accessibility plan by the end of 2021. Senior Specialist Tapio Kosunen, who acted as the rapporteur, handed over his presentation to Minister of Science and Culture Antti Kurvinen on Tuesday, 15 June.

15.4.2021 | The EUROSTUDENT VII study examined the living conditions, studies, social background and livelihoods of students in higher education. Over 7,000 students in higher education responded to the survey carried out in spring 2019. Finland's national results were published in September 2020. The five research papers now published support the national report and give it thematic depth.

9.10.2023 | The Ministry of Education and Culture’s proportion of the 2024 budget proposal is EUR 8.0 billion, which is EUR 274 million more than in the 2023 Budget. The budget proposal implements the Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's Government by raising the level of education and competence of the entire population. The measures in the budget proposal aim to strengthen the effectiveness of science and improve the conditions for conducting research and development.

8.4.2021 | On Thursday 8 April, the Government submitted to Parliament a report on education policy. The Education Policy Report paves the way for equitable and high-quality education in the 2040s in Finland, where skills requirements are growing and age cohorts are shrinking. The report outlines the target state for education and research when moving forward to the 2040s and the necessary changes in resources, structures and guidance to achieve it.

23.3.2023 | Education sector representatives from the Asian Development Bank and from Bangladesh, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan are visiting Finland from 22 to 24 March 2023. The aim of the visit is to deepen cooperation in matters related to teacher education, school meals and digital learning.

27.3.2023 | The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has awarded EUR 2.2 million in government grants for Finnish civil society organisations’ communications and global education projects in 2023–2024. The grants aim to increase awareness and knowledge in Finland of the challenges of global development and of international cooperation as a response to these challenges.

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.

21.11.2023 | EU ministers responsible for education, youth, culture and sport will meet in Brussels on 23–24 November. Minister of Education Anna-Maja Henriksson will represent Finland in the Education Council; Minister Sandra Bergqvist is Finland’s representative in matters related to young people, sport and culture. The EU ministers will discuss a range of topics, including digital skills and digital educati...

19.9.2022 | The budget proposal for 2023 of Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s Government will continue to invest in education and culture. The budget proposal helps implement the key objectives in the Government Programme of raising the level of education and competence, bridging learning gaps and increasing educational equality. Arts and culture will be used to boost conditions and strengthen engagement in creative work.

22.2.2022 | A report on public procurement education and training in Finland in 2021 was published as part of the Procurement Finland programme and the implementation of the National Public Procurement Strategy. The report charts the educational backgrounds of professionals engaged in public procurement and compiles information about educational institutions that provide procurement education and training. Accord...

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.

3.1.2022 | According to the Government Report on Human Rights Policy, Finland emphasises the rights of the Roma in its European human rights activities. Finland has long been a high-profile political and financial supporter of Roma activities in European intergovernmental organisations.

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.

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,...

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.

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.

10.3.2023 | Women’s average annual income has increased EUR 25 more than men’s due to reforms of social benefits and taxation carried out this parliamentary term. Income differences between genders have narrowed in Finland, but only slightly, according to a report commissioned by the Ministry of Finance.

15.4.2026 | Riikka Pellinen, PhD., has been appointed as an expert in higher education and science policy at the Embassy of Finland in Seoul. Her three-year term begins on 1 August 2026. With this appointment, the Team Finland Knowledge network’s geographical scope is extended to South Korea.

12.5.2026 | The Ministerial Committee on Economic Policy has decided that the review of government agency structures will continue with follow-up studies on potential longer-term changes. The follow-up studies will be completed before the end of this year.

29.4.2021 | In its mid-term policy review, the Government outlined extensive measures to strengthen employment and public finances and to promote people’s wellbeing in Finland in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decisions in the mid-term review include policies to strengthen growth, to continue on the path to carbon neutrality and to reduce inequality. The measures have been integrated into the 2022–2...

25.3.2026 | The final report of the expert group appointed by the Ministry of Education and Culture examines the decline in young people’s confidence in the future. The group presents 36 recommendations to improve the situation. The final report was submitted to the Minister of Youth, Sport and Physical Activity Mika Poutala on Wednesday, 25 March 2026.

29.4.2021 | In its mid-term policy review, the Government outlined extensive measures to strengthen employment and public finances and to promote people’s wellbeing in Finland in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decisions in the mid-term review include policies to strengthen growth, to continue on the path to carbon neutrality and to reduce inequality. The measures have been integrated into the 2022–2...

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.

19.1.2026 | The International Monetary Fund (IMF) published its annual report on the Finnish economy on Monday 19 January. According to the IMF, efforts to strengthen public finances will have to continue for several years.

13.11.2025 | International higher education students could play an even bigger role in driving Finland’s growth. Minister of Employment Matias Marttinen and Minister of Science and Culture Mari-Leena Talvitie invited businesses, cities, higher education institutions and students to find solutions to improve international students’ employment prospects in Finland.

22.4.2026 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government has agreed on the General Government Fiscal Plan for 2027–2030. Both the global economy and Finland’s finances are facing challenges. In its spending limits session, the Government focused on new targeted measures to strengthen people’s confidence in the future and improve the conditions for growth and employment.

15.1.2026 | Today the Government decided in its plenary session to submit to Parliament the Government Report on the Application of Language Legislation in 2025. The report provides important monitoring data on the current state of Finland’s national languages and other indigenous languages and on the realisation of linguistic rights.

10.11.2025 | The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that Finland should consolidate general government finances by about EUR 1.5 billion annually. Consolidation should be continued until the fiscal balance is closed and debt begins to decline. The IMF published its statement on the Finnish economy on Monday 10 November.

31.12.2025 | Fellow citizens, The darkest part of winter is now behind us – every day is a little bit longer than the last. Winter storm Hannes, which raged through Finland, has now subsided. I would like to thank the authorities and everyone else who has worked hard to repair the damage caused by the storm. We can be proud of the way Finland comes together in these situations.

7.11.2025 | Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will visit Belém, Brazil, on 10–11 November. Minister Tavio will attend events held in connection with the Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the UN Convention on Climate Change and meet ministers and business representatives from different countries.

3.9.2025 | The United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has considered the initial report of Finland on its implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. A public hearing of the Finnish delegation was held in connection with the consideration in Geneva. The Committee published its concluding observations and recommendations on 3 September.

23.5.2025 | The OECD sees vast potential for clean economic growth in Finland. However, structural reforms will be required to realise this potential. Among other things, the OECD recommends that Finland boost higher education, attract high-skilled immigrants and improve incentives for investments. Further adjustments to public finances are necessary due to rising defence spending.