Progress of the government action plan to combat racism
The government action plan to combat racism and promote equality implements the policies set out in the equality statement issued by the Government.
The selected measures are based on an assessment of the work carried out during the previous Government, as well as recommendations from bodies monitoring Finland’s compliance with human rights treaties, existing research data and information gained through strategic foresight. Information on the current state of affairs has been supplemented by materials collected from stakeholders, based on which the priorities and cross-cutting policies of the action plan have been selected.
The measures are grouped under the following themes:
- Social atmosphere and debate, increasing awareness, good relations between population groups
- Education system, and culture, sports and youth policy
- Equality and non-discrimination at work
- Combating racist harassment and violence
- Internal action by the Government and administration
Social atmosphere and debate, increasing awareness and promoting good relations between population groups
The goal of the measures is to raise awareness of racism and its impacts, promote a constructive public debate, increase dialogue between people from different backgrounds and promote good relations between different population groups in our society.
Equality work at the Prime Minister’s Office (2024–2027)
The resources for implementing the equality statement will be used to boost equality work at the national level.
A project team at the Prime Minister’s Office is responsible for the coordination and communication of the action plan, as well as for the measures falling under the responsibility the Prime Minister’s Office.
Responsible ministry: Prime Minister’s Office
Prime Minister’s annual roundtable discussions on equality (2024–2027)
The Prime Minister will hold annual roundtable discussions to promote equality and non-discrimination. The topics of discussion will change each year.
In 2024, the topic was non-discrimination at work. The discussion in 2025 focused on good relations between population groups at the local level. Preparations for the 2026 roundtable are now underway.
Responsible ministry: Prime Minister’s Office
Anti-racism campaign (2024–2027)
An anti-racism campaign is being carried out in collaboration with labour market organisations, sports, cultural and civil society organisations, and other operators.
The campaign is ongoing. Open webinars have been organised for a variety of target groups. A total of 90 organisations are involved.
Responsible ministry: Prime Minister’s Office
Anti-racism dialogues (2024–2027)
A series of dialogues will be organised to boost the general public debate on racism and its impacts.
In cooperation with the National Dialogues, stakeholders are encouraged to organise their own anti-racism dialogues.
Responsible ministry: Prime Minister’s Office
Broadening the dialogue activities carried out by the national and regional Advisory Boards for Ethnic Relations with respect to racism experienced by children and young people (2024–2027)
The national and regional Advisory Boards for Ethnic Relations (Etno) will expand their dialogue activities on racism experienced by children and young people and organise events for decision-makers across Finland to highlight young people’s experiences.
The dialogue activities started in the spring of 2024 in Lahti and Lappeenranta. Six dialogues with young people were held in autumn 2024, and discussions between young people and decision-makers were organised in Mikkeli and Pori. The third round of dialogues began in January 2025 with funding from the Government Equality Project. Discussions between young people and decision-makers were held in Vaasa, Sotkamo, Kajaani, Lahti and Hämeenlinna. Dialogues between decision-makers and young people will be held in Jyväskylä, Heinola, Tampere, Kemi and Rovaniemi in autumn 2026.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Justice
Annual forum for civil society organisations (2024–2027)
An annual forum for civil society organisations will be arranged on the themes of the equality statement and on the assessment of the action plan.
The first forum was held in Helsinki in December 2024. Going forward, the forum will be organised as part of the anti-racism cooperation network, which was launched in autumn 2025. The network consists of more than 120 experts from civil society organisations and research institutes.
Responsible ministry: Prime Minister’s Office
Thematic stakeholder events with various operators (2024–2027)
Thematic stakeholder events will be arranged with various operators throughout the government term. These will involve partners such as municipalities, parishes, central government, civil society organisations, Advisory Boards for Ethnic Relations and Advisory Boards for Romani Affairs.
The measure is in progress. The action plan to combat racism and promote equality and the anti-racism campaign have been presented at a variety of events, including the Forum on Good Relations Between Population Groups in Hämeenlinna in May 2025. A discussion event on Muslim youth and the media held in May 2025 is another example of a concrete stakeholder event.
Responsible ministry: Prime Minister’s Office
Supporting organisations that promote equality through measures in the Civil Society Organisations Strategy (2024–2027)
The operating conditions of organisations that promote equality will be supported through measures set out in the Civil Society Organisations Strategy.
The Civil Society Organisations Strategy was adopted by government resolution on 6 June 2024. The strategy is being implemented through legislative projects, reports and other development measures such as drafting a vision for civil society.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Justice
Discretionary government grants to support the participation of civil society organisations representing ethnic minorities in anti-racism activities
Tendering will be arranged for discretionary government grants to promote the participation of civil society organisations representing ethnic minorities in work to combat racism.
The call for applications for discretionary government grants is now complete. Grants were awarded to ten different projects.
Responsible ministry: Prime Minister’s Office
Organising an equality event (2024)
An equality event was arranged in the framework of the EU funded ‘Well Planned’ project for participants including stakeholders and public authorities from the world of work, culture and civil society. This event sought to increase awareness through networking and dialogue.
The event was held on 21 September 2024.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Justice
Appointing a specialist group for monitoring discrimination (2024–2027)
The Government appointed a specialist group for monitoring discrimination to analyse research data on discrimination in support of the goals of the equality statement.
The specialist group was appointed by decision of the Prime Minister’s Office on 31 January 2025 for the term 1 February 2025–31 March 2027. The specialist group convened three times during 2025. An important part of the group's work is to draw up a national roadmap for developing the knowledge base concerning equality. The Government commissioned the specialist group to draw up the roadmap as part of the processing of the human rights recommendations received by Finland.
Responsible ministry: Prime Minister’s Office
Producing information in line with the needs identified by the specialist group for monitoring discrimination (2024–2027)
Information will be produced to support the equality statement in accordance with needs identified by the specialist group.
The following reports were published in 2025:
An equal Finland for children and young people? Report on the realisation of ethnic equality among people under 30 in Finland, published on 18 March 2025
Assessment report on the ministries’ operational and personnel-related gender equality and non-discrimination plans, published on 11 April 2025
A study on the experiences of safety and inclusion among foreign-language speakers is currently underway. Public opinion data on racism was collected in the Citizens’ Pulse survey in the autumn of 2024.
Responsible ministry: Prime Minister’s Office
Maintaining the www.perusoikeusseuranta.fi website and producing analysis reports (2024–2027)
A website is maintained at www.perusoikeusseuranta.fi to support government monitoring of the implementation of fundamental and human rights, and analysis reports based on the website contents are produced to support the goals of the equality statement.
The website was published in March 2024. An analysis report on the realisation of equality among children and young people was completed in March 2025.
Responsible ministry: Prime Minister’s Office
Supporting the work of the truth and reconciliation commissions concerning the Sámi people and sign language users (2024–2027)
The work of the Sámi and sign language truth and reconciliation commissions is supported, including support for implementing findings (communication and events).
The planning of the practical steps of the collaboration has started.
Responsible ministry: Prime Minister’s Office
Producing an evaluation to develop the work and structure of the Advisory Board for Ethnic Relations (2024)
An evaluation was carried out to develop the work and structure of the Advisory Board for Ethnic Relations (Etno) (current condition and future): operating conditions, purpose, duties, organisation and resources.
The measure is now complete. An evaluation of the regional Etno boards was conducted in the spring of 2024. The evaluation report was published between 3 and 9 June 2024. A nationwide survey was conducted in the summer of 2024, and the results were analysed in the following autumn.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Justice
Support for implementing the regional action plans created in the ‘Good Community Relations’ project (2024–2025)
Support will be provided for the implementation of the regional action plans created in the ‘Good Community Relations’ project of the Uusimaa Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment.
The measure is now complete.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Justice and Prime Minister’s Office
Support for community-oriented work in the museum sector to strengthen community relations and preparation of a development project (2025–2027)
Community-oriented work in the museum sector was developed to strengthen community relations. A development project was prepared with the Ministry of Justice and the National Museum of Finland.
The measure has been implemented. The project did not receive funding from the EU.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Education and Culture
Raising awareness of and support for the prevention of honour-based violence (2024–2027)
Professionals are being trained, and awareness is raised about preventing honour-based violence. Recognition of the phenomenon and appropriate interventions are being improved. Collaboration with communities is being enhanced, and the role of the Advisory Board for Ethnic Relations in raising awareness is being strengthened. Efforts are also being made to improve the knowledge base concerning the phenomenon.
The measure is in progress. The Minister of Justice held a round-table discussion on honour-based violence with civil society organisations and public authorities on 14 February 2025. The Ministry of Justice will commission a study on barriers to accessing legal remedies.
In September-October 2025, surveys were carried out in the Etno boards’ regions of operation to identify themes related to honour-related violence where more information and discussion is needed. Based on the results of the survey, national and regional events will be planned and organised together with key actors.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
Conducting a study on the need to criminalise coercive control (2025)
A study will be carried out on the need to criminalise coercive control in line with the Government Programme.
The study will be conducted in spring 2026.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Justice
Promoting support measures for victims of systematic harassment (2024–2026)
A victim policy action plan is being prepared and will promote support measures for victims of systematic harassment.
The measure is ongoing and is being implemented as part of the second phase of the action plan for victim policy: improving the position of crime victims in criminal proceedings. The deadline for proposals put forth by the working group is 31 May 2026.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Justice
Developing the competence of Anchor model team members through further training (2025)
The competence of Anchor model team members will be enhanced by organising further training at the national level.
The project is in progress. Preparations for online training are progressing: a content needs survey, a webinar and a feedback survey have been carried out and the operator of the e-Oppiva service has been contacted. The development group has convened three times. The service path and impact assessment of the Anchor materials have been updated. A workshop has also been organised on developing the Anchor monitoring system and a new impact monitoring questionnaire. In November 2025, a national seminar was held on substance abuse, mental health and exchanging good practices among young people.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of the Interior
Adopting the amendments to the Act on the Sámi Parliament (2024)
The Ministry of Justice prepared a government proposal to revise the Act on the Sámi Parliament based on the work of the commission chaired by Permanent Secretary Timonen in collaboration with the Sámi Parliament. The Government submitted the proposal to Parliament on 14 December 2023.
In its plenary session on 19 June 2025, Parliament adopted the amendments to the Act on the Sámi Parliament with 150-27 votes. The Act entered into force on 1 August 2025.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Justice
Education system, and culture, sports and youth policy
The goal of the measures is to promote equality, non-discrimination and human rights in the fields of education, sports and youth work.
Implementing a comprehensive development programme on gender equality and non-discrimination in the education system (2024–2027)
A development programme for equity and non-discrimination in education and training covering the entire education system will be designed and implemented. The programme will seek to support and monitor the establishment of statutory gender equality and non-discrimination plans, and to make them a more effective tool for promoting gender equality and non-discrimination.
The development programme was published on 28 May 2025. A kick-off seminar for the programme was held on 25 August 2025. Concrete measures have been launched and the implementation of certain measures is already underway.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Education and Culture
Strengthening expertise on equality in the youth sector (2024–2027)
Expertise on equality will be reinforced in the youth sector as part of implementing the national youth work and policy programme and centres of expertise.
The Youth Work Centre of Expertise for Equality (Yhdenvertaisuuden nuorisoalan osaamiskeskus) is tasked with mapping materials, methods and training needs related to promoting equality and anti-racism. Based on this, the centre will prepare and implement a training and communication plan. The centre has received a government grant for 2025 and 2026 and has started its operations in line with the plan. The centre is managed by the Guides and Scouts of Finland. More information about the activities of the Centre of Expertise are available on its website (in Finnish and Swedish).
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Education and Culture
Implementing a study to support gender equality and non-discrimination plans in early childhood education and to strengthen the knowledge base (2024–2025)
A study will be conducted to support gender equality and non-discrimination plans in early childhood education and to strengthen the knowledge base.
The study was published (in Finnish and Swedish) in the publication series of the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman in May 2025.
Responsible ministry: Prime Minister’s Office
Developing the pedagogical competence of hobby instructors and coaches in areas such as gender equality and non-discrimination, and promoting equal hobby opportunities for children and young people (2024–2027)
The pedagogical competence of hobby instructors and coaches is being enhanced in areas such as gender equality and non-discrimination through development projects under the Finnish model for leisure activities. The financed projects will also help promote equal hobby opportunities for children and young people.
A project to enhance the competence of hobby instructors is under way. A survey has been launched to collect good practices on ensuring equal hobby opportunities for children and young people.
A guide for instructors of hobbies for children and young people has been drawn up to strengthen instructors’ pedagogical competence.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Education and Culture
Specifying responsibility criteria for awarding discretionary government grants to organisations promoting sports and physical exercise, assessing organisations’ responsibility activities and taking the assessment into account when determining the size of grants (2024–2027)
The responsibility criteria (including gender equality and non-discrimination) for awards of government grants to organisations promoting sports and physical exercise will be specified, the organisations’ responsibility activities will be assessed, and consideration of this assessment will continue when determining the size of grants awarded (15%).
The measure has been implemented. The specification of the responsibility criteria for awards of discretionary government grants to organisations promoting sports and physical exercise, the assessment of the organisations’ responsibility activities and the consideration of this assessment when determining the size of grants is being implemented from 2024 to 2027. An extensive assessment of the measures taken by organisations promoting physical activity has been carried out, the results of which have been taken into account in their general grants for 2025.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Education and Culture
Consolidation and expansion of the You Are Not Alone service (2024–2027)
The You Are Not Alone service will be consolidated and expanded in line with the Government Programme and the government statement of February 2023.
The measure has been implemented. Resources have been provided to consolidate and expand the service in sports, and it will be extended to the youth sector in 2025 through communication, increasing staff and training.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Education and Culture
Ongoing promotion of equality in the youth sector in line with the objectives of the Youth Act (2024–2027)
The promotion of equality in the youth sector will continue in accordance with the objectives of the Youth Act.
The measure is in progress. The promotion of equality will be considered as a criterion for all discretionary government grants awarded by the Ministry of Education and Culture in the youth sector. Under law, national youth organisations must promote equality to remain eligible for government funding. The promotion of equality and non-discrimination is also one of six legal evaluation criteria for youth organisations to receive annual general grants.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Education and Culture
Continued implementation and development of ethical guidelines in the field of art and culture (2024–2027)
The implementation and development of ethical guidelines in the field of art and culture is ongoing.
The measure is in progress. Funding was granted for 2024 to implement activities among stakeholders in the art and culture sector.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Education and Culture
Determining the priorities, practical measures and monitoring of cultural diversity and equality (2024–2027)
The priorities, practical measures and monitoring of cultural diversity and equality will be determined in the 2024–2027 performance agreement period.
The measure is in progress. The priorities and related objectives have been included in the performance agreements of the agencies involved. Progress in monitored in annual performance negotiations.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Education and Culture
Developing criteria supporting responsible operations as part of awarding government grants (2024–2027)
Criteria supporting the responsible operations of communities will be developed to promote and monitor the realisation of good governance, gender equality, non-discrimination, cultural diversity and sustainable development as part of awarding discretionary government grants.
The measure is in progress. The criteria will also be included in the call for applications for funding for the activities of arts and cultural associations in 2026.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Education and Culture
Assessing the effectiveness of discretionary government grants for cultural diversity and anti-racism activities (2024–2025)
The effectiveness of discretionary government grants for cultural diversity and anti-racism activities is being assessed.
The measure is in progress. The Arts Promotion Centre Finland (Taike) has allocated internal funding to the assessment. A call for tenders for the study/assessment will be launched and is being prepared.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Education and Culture
Promoting the use of the Dialogue Card tool in training events promoting equality and in developing work life in practice (2024–2027)
The Dialogue Card tool promoting cultural diversity and sustainable development is being used to boost equality in training events and in developing work life in practice.
The Ministry of Education and Culture organised an internal Dialogue Card workshop on 29 October 2024 and follow-up meetings with individual responsibility areas at the end of 2024. The Arts Promotion Centre Finland (Taike) has held 25 facilitated workshops. The number of orders for Dialogue Cards has increased.
Trained Diversity Agents and Diversity Bridgers from the Culture for All Service organise Dialogue Card workshops independently.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Education and Culture
Implementing measures promoting equal and accessible access to nearby nature (2023–2030)
Measures under the National Nature Recreation Strategy are implemented to ensure equal and accessible access to nearby nature.
The aspect of multiculturalism is highlighted in the coordination of the strategy implementation. This aspect is also included in individual measures such as municipal physical activity programmes, and welfare plans and reports through a broader consideration of recreation in nature and the needs of different population groups. Contacts with organisations promoting multiculturalism have also been continued.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of the Environment
Equality and non-discrimination at work
The objective of the measures is to promote non-discrimination, diversity and equal access to the world of work.
Promoting immigrant women’s transition to the labour market as of the beginning of 2025
Immigrant women’s transition to the labour market is being promoted in accordance with the Government Programme through an increased allocation of EUR 5 million for integrating and employing immigrant mothers as of the beginning of 2025.
According to the Government Programme, EUR 5 million in additional investments is to be allocated to promoting the integration and employment of immigrant mothers from the start of 2025. This funding is allocated to municipalities, and the required legislative amendments entered into force on 1 January 2025. In addition, the development of training and services will be considered as part of the project to reform the integration services. In addition to the above-mentioned funding, the employment opportunities of women with an immigrant background will be increased in the administrative branch of the Ministry of Education and Culture by creating a new training model, to which EUR 5 million in government grants will be allocated annually to cover the costs of using liberal adult education institutions.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
Implementing a regional pilot project to support the employment opportunities of highly educated immigrants (2025–2026)
A regional pilot project will be implemented/financed to support the access of highly educated immigrants to intern placements, duties that match their skills, and general career development. This project may be implemented by parties such as the employment authorities, universities and/or organisations.
The measure is in progress. A call for discretionary government grant will open in early 2026.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
Implementation of training on equality and diversity at work (2024–2025)
The training provided to specialists moving from Employment and Economic Development Offices to municipalities will include a module on equality and diversity at work. This training module will include topics such as non-discrimination in employment services, promoting diversity in workplaces and considering multiculturalism in recruitment.
The training is being prepared in collaboration between the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and the KEHA Centre.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
Preparation and monitoring of an action plan to promote the employment of individuals in a disadvantaged labour market position (2024–2027)
A working group appointed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment to promote the employment of individuals who are in a disadvantaged position in the labour market and to increase their participation in working life will promote non-discrimination, diversity and equal opportunities at work. The working group is tasked with preparing an action plan to increase the participation in working life of people who are in a disadvantaged position in the labour market and monitoring the implementation of the plan.
The preparation of the action plan is in progress. To implement the entries, a working group was set up whose participants include ministries, labour market organisations, other organisations, municipalities and wellbeing service counties.
The working group
- will prepare reports on measures that improve the receptiveness of the labour market and on the models used in European countries to support the employment of people with challenges in finding employment;
- summarise the results of previous action plans and projects on the same theme and their assessments;
- prepare an action plan for increasing the participation in working life of people in a disadvantaged position in the labour market and monitor the implementation of the action plan;
- examine whether promoting the employment of this group of people requires any legislative amendments;
- and carry out any other tasks that would advance the targets of the working group.
The action plan will be submitted to the Ministerial Working Group on Employment and Entrepreneurship for approval in autumn 2025. The draft programme takes into account immigrants in a disadvantaged labour market position in a cross-cutting manner. As a measure specifically targeted to immigrants, the programme also includes a recommendation for employment areas and municipalities on promoting further pilots to identify immigrants' skills.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
Continued IMAGO coaching for small and medium-sized businesses operating in Finland (2024–2025)
The IMAGO coaching for small and medium-sized businesses operating in Finland is to be continued. This service helps companies to boost business operations by developing diverse recruitment and job orientation training, fostering an employer image that interests jobseekers, and establishing a corporate culture in which all employees may thrive and succeed in their work.
The service was launched under the KEHA Centre in early 2025. Applications for IMAGO coaching are now open.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
Combating racist harassment and violence
The goal of the measures is to support religious equality, freedom of religion and interfaith dialogue, and to strengthen actions to combat racism targeting ethnic and religious minorities and to promote equality.
Raising awareness among members of religious minorities of legal remedies related to discrimination and harassment (2024–2025)
Awareness will be raised among members of religious minorities of legal remedies related to discrimination and harassment.
Good practices will be mapped internationally and nationally, and stakeholder needs will be identified through meetings. Training on legal remedies will provided to key individuals.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Justice
Establishing a coordination network for a constructive public debate (2024–2027)
A coordination network for a constructive public debate will be established.
The network met for the first time in May 2025. A working programme has been drawn up for the network, which will meet seven times during the implementation of the action plan. The network will prepare a survey of work to combat hate crime and hate speech to support the Government in processing the human rights recommendations issued to Finland.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Justice
Changing the Finnish name of Memorial Day for Victims of Persecution to Holocaust Remembrance Day (2024)
The Finnish name of Memorial Day for Victims of Persecution was changed to Holocaust Remembrance Day in line with international practice.
The name was changed by decision of the Prime Minister’s Office on 25 February 2024.
Responsible ministry: Prime Minister’s Office
Investigating the prospects for criminalising Holocaust denial in the Criminal Code (2024–2026)
The prospects for criminalising Holocaust denial in the Criminal Code are being investigated.
The Government proposal on criminalising the denial of serious international crimes was submitted to Parliament in May 2025 and is currently being discussed by Parliament.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Justice
Conducting a legal study into criminalising the use of symbols of Nazism and Communism (2024–2025)
A legal study into criminalising the use of symbols of Nazism and Communism is being conducted.
The study is under way.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Justice
Government grants to promote the security of Jewish congregations (2024–2027)
Discretionary government grants are to be awarded to promote the security of Jewish congregations in Finland (EUR 400,000 annually).
Grants for 2025 have been awarded to the Jewish congregations in Helsinki and Turku.
Responsible ministry: Prime Minister’s Office
Addressing antisemitic attitudes (2025–2027)
Antisemitic attitudes are to be addressed by applying instruments from various policy areas such as education, integration and security.
The Ministry of Justice, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Finnish National Agency for Education and the Ministry of the Interior have organised a meeting on the subject. A summary of research on antisemitism is under preparation.
Responsible ministry: All ministries
Raising awareness among key public authorities of the IHRA definition of antisemitism (2024–2025)
Ways of making key public authorities more aware of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism are being sought in partnership with the Finnish IHRA delegation.
The Ministry of Justice, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Finnish National Agency for Education and the Ministry of the Interior have organised a meeting on the subject. A summary of research on antisemitism is under preparation.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Justice
Launch of an inter-ministerial religious affairs network (2024–2027)
An inter-ministerial religious affairs network has been launched for the purpose of exchanging information and coordination related to religious equality and religious freedom.
The measure is in progress, and the network’s first meeting was held in December 2024.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Education and Culture
Promoting the equality and inclusion of the Roma population in collaboration with the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare’s ‘Active Agency’ project
Active cooperation will be carried out via the ESF+ -funded ‘Active Agency’ project, coordinated by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, which aims to promote the equality and inclusion of the Roma population. The cooperation aims especially at disseminating the results of the project.
The planning of the measure began in spring 2025.
Responsible ministry: Prime Minister’s Office
Implementing a pilot project to develop local anti-racism advisory services (2024–2027)
A pilot project to develop local anti-racism advisory services in partnership with municipalities and civil society organisations will be implemented.
A support point is being piloted as part of the City of Oulu’s Oulu for All project. The support point’s activities were launched in autumn 2025. The Prime Minister’s Office is part of the steering group for the pilot.
Responsible ministry: Prime Minister’s Office
Support for the Six Cities’ networking and expertise in equality issues (2025–2026)
The Six Cities’ networking and expertise on equality issues is being supported, and the lessons learned through the network cooperation will be disseminated to other municipalities.
The project has implemented anti-racism training for newly elected officials in municipalities. A survey of good anti-racism practices in the Six Cities is also underway.
Responsible ministry: Prime Minister’s Office and Ministry of Finance
Support for religious equality, religious freedom and interfaith dialogue (2026)
Religious equality, religious freedom and interfaith dialogue will be supported locally.
Discretionary government grants will be awarded for this purpose in spring 2026.
Responsible ministry: Prime Minister’s Office
Internal action by the Government and administration
The objective of the measures is to promote equality in the activities and personnel policies of the Government and central government.
Annual consideration of the decisions, conclusions and recommendations issued to Finland by international human rights monitoring bodies (2024–2026)
The decisions, conclusions and recommendations issued to Finland by international human rights monitoring bodies will be considered annually. The concept was developed and the first round carried out in 2024. The processing and associated communications will continue on an annual basis.
The Government discussed the human rights recommendations issued to Finland on 3 October 2024. A discussion on the matter has also been held in 2025.
Responsible ministry: Prime Minister’s Office
Planning and organising training modules for political leaders and leading public officials starting in 2025
A training plan consisting of various training modules is being prepared for political leaders and leading public officials, with annual training arranged as planned from 2025 onwards.
Training courses were organised for Permanent Secretaries, Ministers and Directors General of the ministries in 2025.
Responsible ministry: Prime Minister’s Office
Organising diversity and anonymous recruitment training for central government human resources management and specialists (2024)
Central government human resources management and specialists are being provided with diversity and anonymous recruitment training.
Central government human resources management and specialists were introduced to anonymous recruitment in May 2024. The Forum for central government human resources management (Valtion henkilöstöjohdon foorumi) encouraged agencies to pilot anonymous recruitment in 2025.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Finance
Producing training and background materials on Finnish human rights policy for public officials working in international and EU affairs (2024–2026)
Training and background materials on Finnish human rights policy will be produced and disseminated internally for public officials working in international and EU affairs.
The training and background materials were drawn up in autumn 2025 and central government officials were briefed on the matter at a webinar on 4 November 2025. The materials will be made available on the government intranet.
Responsible ministry: Prime Minister’s Office
Taking into account the Government’s equality statement and the equality aspects of the Central Government Human Resources Strategy 2030 in the ministries’ performance negotiations
Ministries have considered the Government’s equality statement and the equality aspects of the Central Government Human Resources Strategy 2030 in their 2024 performance negotiations, as well as in other communications with their agencies concerning the performance management process.
The Government statement to Parliament on promoting equality, gender equality and non-discrimination in Finnish society is included in a list maintained by the Ministry of Finance defining the strategies and government resolutions that guide the performance management of all central government entities.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Finance
Supporting the promotion of equality in ministerial performance management (2024–2025)
The promotion of equality in ministerial performance management will be supported and harmonised by presenting the support material and steering practices for individual administrative branches prepared by the Ministry of Justice in 2023 in the ministerial performance manager network. The effectiveness of measures will be monitored in the course of developing performance management.
The theme of equality has already been discussed once by the ministerial performance manager network. It is planned to be discussed again in the network’s meeting in June 2025.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Finance
Using online non-discrimination and gender equality training in ministries and as part of performance management (2024–2027)
The use of existing online non-discrimination and gender equality training will be increased in ministries and their administrative branches as part of performance management.
The measure is in progress.
Responsible ministry: Prime Minister’s Office
Resuming the activities of the diversity working group at the Forum for central government human resources management (2024)
The activities of the diversity working group at the Forum for central government human resources management (Valtion henkilöstöjohdon foorumi) are being resumed to support diversity work and the implementation of the Central Government Human Resources Strategy in agencies.
The diversity working group’s activities started in March 2025 and will last until the end of the year.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Finance
Monitoring the introduction of anonymous recruitment in the joint central government recruitment system and encouraging anonymous recruitment pilots (2024–2025)
The introduction of anonymous recruitment in the joint central government recruitment system will be monitored. All ministries will be encouraged to pilot anonymous recruitment.
The measure is in progress as part of the Government’s commitment to the anti-racism campaign. The Ministry of Finance will monitor the implementation of anonymous recruitment annually.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Finance
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Action plan to combat racism and promote equality
The Government adopted a resolution on an action plan to combat racism and promote equality on 5 September 2024. The measures of the action plan aim to provide a new boost for equality in Finland.
Government statement to Parliament on promoting equality, gender equality and non-discrimination in Finnish society (in Finnish)
The action plan to combat racism and promote equality is based on the equality statement submitted by the Government to Parliament on 31 August 2023.