Civil society and voluntary activities The Advisory Board on Civil Society Policy (KANE), operating under the auspices of the Ministry of Justice and appointed by the Government for four years at a time, is responsible for fostering cooperation an...

Contact information Niklas Wilhelmsson , Ministerial Adviser Ministry of Justice, Department for Democracy and Public Law, Democracy and Elections democracy policy civic activity civic society participatory rights Telephone: Email Address: [email ...

Democracy policy The goal of the Government's democracy policy is to address topical democracy-related challenges and ensure that citizens are provided with opportunities for participating and exerting influence in society. Promoting democracy is ...

Advisory Board on Civil Society Policy (KANE) The Government has appointed a new Advisory Board on Civil Society Policy (KANE) for a four-year term from 27 January 2022 to 26 January 2026. The Advisory Board on Civil Society Policy works under the...

Influencing the preparation of decisions and legislation Under Finnish legislation, authorities must act in an open and transparent manner. Citizens must be provided with opportunities to protect their rights and interests, receive information abo...

Right of initiative The Constitution lays down provisions on the right of individuals to participate in and influence the development of society and their living conditions. Pursuant to the Constitution, the public authorities shall promote the op...

Personnel search Department for Administration and Oversight Administrative Support Functions Mirja Al-Khafaji, Administrative Assistant Department for Administration and Oversight, Administrative Support Functions Phone number +358295150197 Email...

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.

From 1 December 2020 to 30 November 2021, the Ministry of Justice will implement the Election Pool project, which will support elections and cooperation between authorities. The project is funded by the European Commission’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship (REC) Programme. The objective of the project is to strengthen cooperation among authorities and cooperation with social media in addressing election interference and improving election preparedness.

One of the objectives set out in the Government Programme is to promote democracy and human rights education and the participation of young people and to reinforce the obligation to consult young people. The task of the coordination group is to monitor and support the planning and implementation of the measures.

In accordance with the Government Programme of Prime Minister Sanna Marin, an act on a transparency register will be enacted in Finland on the basis of parliamentary preparation and in consultation with civil society. The purpose of the act is to improve the transparency of decision-making and, by doing this, to prevent undue influence and reinforce public confidence.

Democracy and participation Under the Constitution, the powers of the State in Finland are vested in the people, who are represented by the Parliament. Democracy entails the right of the individual to participate in and influence the development o...

The goal of the project is to facilitate the participation of children and young people in policy-making at the national level. The goal is to develop methods, gather best practices and produce training materials on child participation and to provide relevant training for public authorities. The project in Finland is part of the joint European CP4Europe project, which is coordinated by the Council of Europe.

The Ministry of Justice The Ministry of Justice maintains and develops legal order and legal protection, reinforces the structures of democracy, and safeguards citizens’ fundamental rights. The Ministry is responsible for drafting the key legislat...

The Government Programme outlines the preparation of the CSO strategy and its implementation plan. The strategy was adopted as a government resolution in June 2024, and implementation will proceed as planned through legislative projects, reports and other development measures. Implementation will continue until April 2027.

6.6.2024 | The Government has adopted a resolution on the Civil Society Organisations Strategy. With the help of the strategy, the Government will promote independent fund-raising activities by CSOs, develop government grant activities concerning CSOs and dismantle bureaucracy that burdens them.

3.10.2022 | A truly multi-voiced civil society reinforces democracy and the crisis tolerance of society as a whole. In its new strategy, published today, as well as its Govern Programme objectives, the Advisory Board on Civil Society Policy (KANE) emphasises the importance of dynamism and autonomy in our changing world.

3.5.2024 | 1 Po lic y br ie f Finnish democracy policy in the 2020s 3 Po lic y br ie f 2 Po lic y br ie f Policies and proposed measures The government resolution on Finnish demo- cracy policy in the 2020s outlines the long- term goals for democracy policy i...

3.5.2024 | 1 Po lic y br ie f Finnish democracy policy in the 2020s 3 Po lic y br ie f 2 Po lic y br ie f Policies and proposed measures The government resolution on Finnish demo- cracy policy in the 2020s outlines the long- term goals for democracy policy i...

12.3.2020 | The Government has appointed a parliamentary steering group and a working group operating under its authority to prepare a proposal on a statutory transparency register (lobbyist register) to be established in Finland.