Cultural environments

Cultural environments are various types of built areas and landscapes as well as natural landscapes in which human activity or remnants of it can be seen.

Within the Finnish Government, the Ministry of the Environment is responsible for matters related to cultural environments along with the Ministry of Education and Culture. The National Board of Antiquities serves as an advisory authority in matters related to the protection of cultural heritage and environments.

Within the Finnish Government, the Ministry of the Environment is responsible for matters related to cultural environments. It oversees implementation of the cultural environment strategy in co-operation with the Ministry of Education and Culture.

The goal of the Cultural Environment Strategy 2014-2020 was to deepen people's appreciation of their local environment and inspire them to actively contribute to making it better. A well-managed, vibrant cultural environment enhances the well-being of people. It plays an important role in developing business and making a pleasant living environment. 

According to the strategy vision, a cultural environment is the source of well-being and vitality. The goal is for people to value their cultural environment and work actively for it.

Cultural environment commitment

The Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Education and Culture have made their own social commitment to sustainable development, in which they make a promise to realise the implementation plan of the strategy

"We also invite all invite organisations, municipalities, educational institutions, museums, government organisations, higher education institutions, property owners, parishes, citizens, businesses, entrepreneurs and all other parties to participate in implementing the Cultural Environment Strategy and make a commitment themselves at sitoumus2050.fi to carry out measures that promote sustainable development."

Contact information

Mirva Mattila, kulttuuriasiainneuvos 
Ministry of Education and Culture, Kulttuuri- ja taidepolitiikan osasto (KUPO), Taiteen ja kulttuuriperinnön vastuualue (TAKU) Telephone:0295330269   Email Address: