National Democracy Programme 2025

OM036:00/2019 Development

The ministries implement the Government Programme, draft acts and other statutes, and promote reforms through different kinds of projects, working groups and bodies. Information on all this is available on the Government website.

All ministries' projects are available on the Government website

valtioneuvosto.fi/en/projects

The Government Programme states that preparation of a cross-administrative democracy programme shall be launched. The National Democracy Programme 2025 covers the numerous measures related to civil society and participation outlined in the Government Programme of Prime Minister Marin. It will function as an umbrella for democracy-related projects to be carried out by different ministries.

Project status

19.12.2019 Term starts

31.3.2023 Term ends

Basic information Completed

Project number OM036:00/2019

Case numbers VN/8051/2019

Set by Ministry of Justice

Term/schedule 19.12.2019 – 31.3.2023

Date of appointment 19.12.2019

Relation to the Government Programme

Marin

Strategiset kokonaisuudet Safe and secure Finland built on the rule of law

Tavoite Democracy, participation and trust in the institutions of society to be strengthened

Strategiset kokonaisuudet Strengthening the rule of law

Action Launching a democracy programme extending to 2025

Action Introducing legislation on a transparency register

Goals and results

The Government Programme of Prime Minister Sanna Marin, ‘Inclusive and Competent Finland’, serves as the starting point and framework for the nationwide programme. The programme will focus, among other things, on developing the election system, the political party system and the system for launching citizens' initiatives and on improving the transparency of public administration. Measures promoting democracy and human rights education and measures supporting the participation of children and young people will also be continued. Another goal is to improve the social inclusion of those who feel they are outsiders and to promote the operating conditions and vitality of civil society. The Democracy Programme will be prepared and implemented in an open and interactive manner, in consultation with the civil society.

Summary

Starting points

In recent times, there has been a lot of international discussion about the crisis of liberal democracy. Growing inequalities in participation and alienation of decision-makers from citizens’ everyday lives are considered particular challenges. New international challenges that democracy has faced in recent years include cyber threats, effects of disinformation, the undemocratic interference directed towards elections, and the narrowing space of civil society, among other things. The transformation of international politics, the growing inequality, and the plurality of participation methods challenge the practices of traditional democracy. Therefore, Finnish democracy must be developed so that it can respond to the rapidly changing global challenges.

Finland has repeatedly done well in comparisons examining the state of democracy, human rights, freedom of the press, corruption, and the functioning of public administration, published by international organisations. In Finland, democracy has a solid foundation, long traditions and high appreciation among citizens.

The growing inequalities in civic participation and the decline in the voter turnout can be considered the weaknesses of democracy in Finland. An increasing number of people take a passive approach to societal issues, of which one indication is the low voter turnout in comparison with the other Nordic countries. Too many people feel they have no power to influence matters and decisions concerning them or the way in which society develops. The degree of participation and inclusion in society differs considerably from one socio-economic group and region to another. If interest in civic activities wanes and new forms of participation are used only by a small group of societally active people, the credibility of democracy and public confidence in the fairness of decision-making and in the political system may suffer. This may increase social frustration and serve as a breeding ground for extremist movements. It is important that everyone can participate in the joint decision-making.

We must, together, create such a framework for participation that everyone can find a suitable way to exert influence.

Additional information

National Democracy Programme at the website of the Ministry of Justice

National Democracy Programme 2025

Finnish democracy policy in the 2020s

Kansallinen demokratiaohjelma 2025 - Seurantaraportti

Valtioneuvoston periaatepäätös suomalaisesta demokratiapolitiikasta 2020-luvulla

Project status

Basic information Completed

Relation to the Government Programme

Marin

Goals and results

Summary

Starting points

Additional information

Effects and benefits

Situation description

Hearing 14.2.2020

Period for submitting comments 29.6.2022 – 1.9.2022

Documents

Persons

Links to other projects

National Democracy Programme 2025

Digiraati-toimintamalli lasten ja nuorten verkko-osallistumisen tueksi

Voice of Children and Young People in Europe

Vapaa! - Fri! -hanke

Vaalipooli - Valpoolen - Election Pool

DINO II – Democracy and human rights education and participation of young people

Transparency register

Cooperation group on election security preparedness

Parlamentaarinen vaalityöryhmä

Hallituksen esitys laeiksi ehdokkaan vaalirahoituksesta annetun lain, vaalilain, puoluelain ja kansalaisaloitelain muuttamisesta

Related projects

Raportti kokoaa yhteen demokratiaohjelman tuloksia

Hallitus linjasi demokratiapolitiikan tavoitteista 2020-luvulla

Kysely nuorille kansalaisaloitteen ikärajasta, osallistumisesta ja demokratiasta

Demokratiapalkinnon raati on valittu

Kansallinen demokratiaohjelma 2025 esitellään perjantaina

Kansallinen demokratiaohjelma 2025 käyntiin