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6.3.2025 | A report commissioned by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health discusses how society could better support children in contentious divorces and custody disputes. The report gives 31 recommendations for improving the situation.

3.12.2025 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has published the Non-Violent Childhoods Action Plan for 2026–2033 aimed at preventing all forms of violence against children. The plan, which will be implemented at the government level, is based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Lanzarote Convention and national statutes that require all forms of violence against children to be combated.

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.

10.10.2024 | The Government proposes an amendment to the Alcohol Act that would allow the delivery of alcoholic beverages to customers. In practice, the amendment would allow, for example, home deliveries and online sales of alcoholic beverages.

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...

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...

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...

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...

23.1.2023 | “In addition to the 12-year long conflict, poverty is now another obstacle to Syrian families and their children’s education,” says Eva Hinds, the Finnish Chief of Communication at UNICEF’s country office in Syria.

19.12.2022 | Children and young people assessed child welfare as ‘adequate’ in a survey commissioned by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and carried out by the Central Union for Child Welfare. Children and young people said that child welfare should increase inclusion, reduce staff turnover and improve the regulation related to restrictive measures.

14.1.2026 | The Ministry of Education and Culture carried out a two-year pre-primary education trial in a total of 148 municipalities between 2021 and 2024. Altogether 37,357 children took part. They were placed in the trial group and control group by drawing lots. Parents, carers and teachers were satisfied with the trial and the two-year pre-primary education trial slightly increased the participation rate of five-year-olds.

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.

15.1.2026 | The European Capital of Culture year in Oulu begins with a three-day Opening Festival starting on Friday, 16 January. The programme features nearly 200 events, offering a diverse range of experiences – most of them free of charge and open to people of all ages. Throughout the year, Oulu will be alive with cultural events, performances and exhibitions.

9.12.2021 | The second phase of the reform concerning services for older people will proceed to Parliament for consideration. The reform aims to improve particularly the sufficiency and quality of services provided to older people at home. It will also expand the diversity of services.

4.12.2025 | Opening remarks by the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland Elina Valtonen at the OSCE Ministerial Council in Vienna 4 December 2025.

2.6.2020 | In the fourth supplementary budget, the Government proposes appropriations to be granted to the administrative branch of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health to be used for unemployment security, for purchasing a coronavirus vaccine, for coronavirus testing, social assistance and social services for children, young people and families, among other things.

26.11.2019 | Non-Violent Childhoods, the new action plan for the prevention of violence against children, contains 93 measures for preventing violence against 0–17-year old children and youth. It will be implemented during 2020–2025.

11.12.2020 | EU home affairs ministers will hold an informal videoconference on 14 December 2020. Finland is represented by Minister of the Interior Maria Ohisalo. The ministers will continue the discussion on the reform of the EU's migration and asylum policy. Other items on the agenda include the future of internal security and cooperation between law enforcement authorities. No decisions will be made at the informal meeting.

4.12.2020 | From his home country Finland, Santa Claus confirms Christmas deliveries will proceed Ministry for Foreign Affairs Publication date 4.12.2020 12.38 Type: News item The year 2020 has been like no other year in recent memory. Anytime humanity faces ...

31.3.2020 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has given instructions to municipalities and joint municipal authorities on home care services during the coronavirus outbreak.