Finland - September 2024

On 5 September, the government approved an action plan to combat racism and promote equality, which aims to tackle racist violence and harassment, increase awareness of equality issues, and counter racism and discrimination in working life and education. The action plan comes after racist comments by three different ministers were uncovered by media in 2023. The plan includes increased funding to promote the integration of immigrant mothers into the labour market and a regional pilot project to support highly educated immigrants in accessing internship placements and career development. The government will assess the impact of the measures in 2025.  On 27 August, the government launched the “Actions, not only words” (Me Puhumme Teoin) campaign encouraging commitments from partners, including trade unions and civil society to combat racism in organisational culture and advocate for non-discrimination in operations. Critics, including academics and JHL, the Trade Union for Public and Welfare Sectors, which has refused to participate in the campaign, claim that the government is promoting an anti-racism campaign, while also pursuing policies that undermine equality. 

Sources: Finnish Government (1), Finnish Government (2), International IDEA, Ministry of Justice, Yle, JHL, Me Puhumme Teoin, Helsinki Times 

The government has announced cuts in state support to civil society organisations (CSOs). Cuts were first announced in April as part of austerity measures and were confirmed when the government released the state budget for 2025 in September. Reductions in funding have been announced by the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Foreign Ministry among others, with impacts on CSOs across many sectors. In August, the government confirmed a reduction in funding to social welfare and health organisations by one third by the end of the government term, starting with a reduction of EUR 80 million in 2025. Impacts are expected on a range of organisations, from support services for victims of domestic and sexual violence to organisations providing legal aid to asylum-seekers and refugees. Additionally, the government halted grants for peacebuilding organizations from 2025.  

Sources: Finnish Institute Benelux, Daily Finland, Finnish Government (1), Finnish Government (2), Yle (1), Yle (2), Yle (3), Finland Abroad, Maailma, Kalevi Sorsa Foundation