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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...

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 ...

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.

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

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.

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...

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

16.5.2024 | 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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

5.10.2023 | 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.

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.

9.10.2023 | The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council of EU employment and social affairs ministers is meeting in Luxembourg on Monday, 9 October 2023. The ministers are expected to adopt conclusions on issues such as mental health and precarious work. In addition, the Council seeks to reach a political agreement on a recommendation on developing framework conditions for the social economy. 

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.

11.10.2023 | In the beginning of next year, an exceptionally broad group of actors will join their forces to implement a record large biodiversity project. With EUR 50 million in funding, this eight-year Priodiversity LIFE project is the largest project to combat biodiversity loss ever implemented in Finland. The aim is to collect best practices and find new forms of funding to preserve biodiversity.

17.3.2023 | The climate and ecological crisis and the sustainability gap in general government finances cannot be solved separately. Actions that strengthen general government finances can be targeted so that they systematically take the economy, legislation, taxation, incentives and governance structures towards the green transition. This is the conclusion of the Outlook Review published by the Ministry of the Environment.

3.3.2022 | The Ministry of Finance has updated its strategy. The strategy was updated to better meet the challenges and changes in the operating environment. The Ministry of Finance kept its vision the same, ‘The Ministry of Finance secures future prospects.’

13.3.2024 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo spoke at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 13 March 2024. Check against delivery.

11.10.2021 | The Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity COP15 starts today on 11 October in Kunming, China. The aim is to agree on targets and actions to halt the global biodiversity loss. Actual decisions are expected in the second part of the Conference of the Parties, which will be held from 25 April to 8 May 2022.

20.10.2021 | Prime Minister Sanna Marin will attend the European Council meeting in Brussels on 21–22 October.

29.6.2022 | The UN Ocean Conference, which will be held for the second time, brings together representatives of states, researchers, civil society, and businesses to discuss the oceans’ role in climate change mitigation as well as the future of a sustainable blue economy.

8.7.2022 | On 8 July 2022, the Government decided on the grant authorisations under the Finnish structural funds programme, Sustainable growth and jobs 2014–2020, for 2022 and the last allocation of funds of the programming period 2014–2020 to the intermediary bodies.

30.6.2022 | The United Nations Ocean Conference was held in Lisbon from 27 June to 1 July 2022. At the Conference, states pledged to contribute to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially that concerning life below water. Finland’s delegation was led by Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä. State Secretary Terhi Lehtonen and Permanent Secretary Juhani Damski attended the Conference as well.

5.5.2022 | Prime Minister Sanna Marin will visit Japan from 10 to 12 May. During her visit, Prime Minister Marin will meet with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Speaker of the House of Representatives Hiroyuki Hosoda. Prime Minister Marin will be accompanied by Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari and a Finnish business delegation.

23.5.2024 | On 23 May 2024, the Finnish Government issued a new resolution on ownership policy. It directs the State’s actions in its capacity as a shareholder and applies to all limited liability companies in which the State holds interests and to all ministries whose duties include ownership steering.

8.9.2021 | Finland supports the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) by EUR 3.6 million between 2021 and 2023 to develop value chains in sustainable forestry, mining and circular economy and to create jobs in developing countries. The project also includes a section strengthening the position of women and promoting gender equality in the work of UNIDO. The agreement was signed in Vienna on 8 September.

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.

3.3.2022 | On 3 March, the Government adopted a decision on the action plan for Finland’s maritime policy. The plan includes 44 concrete measures for all maritime sectors. The action plan places particular emphasis on protection of the seas, the maritime cluster and marine production.

4.10.2021 | On Monday 4 October, Prime Minister Sanna Marin and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen met in Helsinki to discuss topical EU matters. After their bilateral meeting, Marin and von der Leyen visited the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, where they learned about a project related to the priorities of Finland’s Recovery and Resilience Plan. In connection with the visit, the Commission published a positive assessment of Finland’s plan.

18.10.2021 | In their meeting in Luxembourg on 19 October, the General Affairs Council will discuss the preparations for the October European Council, the annual rule of law dialogue and the Conference on the Future of Europe. Minister for European Affairs Tytti Tuppurainen will represent Finland at the meeting.

16.6.2021 | The Prime Minister’s Office sent a draft of its action plan for maritime policy for a broad round of consultations on 16 June 2021. The purpose of the action plan is to develop and coordinate Finland’s maritime policy and to implement the maritime policy objectives set in the Government Programme.

11.3.2021 | Mika Nordman has been appointed Director (Digital Services) at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment for a term of five years starting on 1 April 2021. The Government decided on the appointment on 11 March 2021.

18.3.2021 | On 18 March, the Government granted Naantali and the Kemi-Tornio region EUR 600,000 and EUR 1.1 million, respectively, for the management of sudden structural changes. At the same time, the Lahti region was granted the remaining portion of the EUR 1.065 million additional funding already proposed to it. In addition, South Finland and Western Finland received funding to develop the international capabilities of SMEs.

26.10.2021 | Prime Minister Sanna Marin spoke at World Heath Summit in Berlin on 26 October 2021. Changes possible during the speech.

21.10.2021 | On 21 October 2021, the Government approved the EU regional and structural policy programme, Innovation and Skills in Finland 2021−2027, and decided to submit it to the European Commission. The programme supports industrial, energy, climate, innovation, education and employment policies as well as the work against exclusion and poverty.

1.3.2021 | The Nordic countries have intensified co-operation in recent years to curb climate emissions from the built environment. This partnership focuses particularly on working to ensure corresponding principles for assessing and guiding the climate impact of construction in these countries.

31.3.2023 | The comprehensive WORK2030 programme, carried out collaboratively by ministries, social partner organisations, workplaces and other experts in the field, is coming to an end. The programme identified five solutions that will help make Finnish working life the best in the world.

15.8.2022 | In their meeting in Oslo on Monday 15 August, the prime ministers of the Nordic countries confirmed that they would further develop their cooperation on defence and security. As Finland and Sweden become members of NATO, the Nordic countries will become allied partners, which opens up new opportunities for cooperation. The new security situation in Northern Europe also featured prominently in the Nordic prime minsters’ discussion with German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

3.11.2019 | -

12.3.2020 | The Government has granted EUR 4 million to be used for business development aid under the SME growth accelerator programme in Southern and Western Finland. The programme is intended particularly for SMEs in the early stages of their growth to make them better equipped to pursue growth and internationalisation.

15.3.2021 | The Sustainable Growth Programme for Finland will boost investment in emissions reducing solutions, accelerate sustainable growth in the economy, and create long-term growth potential. Half of the funding involved will be for promoting a green transition, and about a quarter will be for digitalisation. The Programme will also boost public investment in research, development and innovation by approximately EUR 700 million.

MAATALOUDEN INTERVENTIORAHASTON TILINPÄÄTÖS VUODELTA 2025 Docusign Envelope ID: 19EB1F57-8267-4F4E-9089-6962E734CEC4 SISÄLLYS 1 TOIMINTAKERTOMUS VUODELTA 2025 .......... 1 1.1 YLEISTÄ .......... 1 1.2 JOHTOKUNNAN KATSAUS .......... 1 1.3 TOIMINNAN...

Keskus 020 743 2920 www.bdo.fi BDO Oy Porkkalankatu 3 00180 Helsinki BDO Oy (Y-tunnus 2776089-4) on itsenäinen BDO International Limitedin (UK) jäsenyritys. BDO on yhteinen nimi sekä kansainväliselle jäsenyritysten verkostolle että kunkin maan jäs...

Keskus 020 743 2920 www.bdo.fi BDO Oy Porkkalankatu 3 00180 Helsinki BDO Oy (Y-tunnus 2776089-4) on itsenäinen BDO International Limitedin (UK) jäsenyritys. BDO on yhteinen nimi sekä kansainväliselle jäsenyritysten verkostolle että kunkin maan jäs...

29.10.2019 | More support and investments are needed to drive the internationalisation of Finnish companies. With this in mind, a programme for export and international growth, which is included in the Government Programme, will be drawn up in collaboration with business organisations and companies.

19.6.2019 | EU ministers responsible for competitiveness will meet in Helsinki on 4–5 July 2019. They will discuss how the EU can create sustainable growth, competitiveness, wellbeing and prosperity in the future. It is the first informal meeting of ministers during Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

7.7.2020 | Foreign Minister Haavisto hosts a meeting on the Horn of Africa Ministry for Foreign Affairs Publication date 7.7.2020 14.25 Type: Press release Finland, under the leadership of Minister for Foreign Affairs Haavisto, invites EU foreign ministers t...

7.11.2019 | In 2019, the Team Finland network and public internationalisation service providers intensified their cooperation in customer services, and updated the strategic guidelines for the development of Team Finland activities.