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Preparing the Programme to Develop Quality and Equality in Vocational Education and Training This programme to develop equality and quality in vocational education and training will help ensure that all students in vocational education and trainin...

Programmes for quality and equality in early childhood and comprehensive school education The Right to Learn development programmes aim to secure an equal start for learning by improving quality and equality in early childhood education and care (...

Equality, non-discrimination and diversity among teaching and research staff in higher education institutions The KOTAMO project examined how equality, non-discrimination and diversity among staff members can be promoted in Finnish higher educatio...

Education is one of the cornerstones of the Finnish welfare society. We pride ourselves on an educational system that offers equal opportunities for education for all.

29.5.2026 | In South Africa, higher education internationalisation is strongly shaped by a national policy framework that aims to strengthen system-wide capacity, address historical imbalances, and connect higher education to global knowledge networks. In recent years, the country has also placed increasing emphasis on targeted bilateral collaboration platforms and has expressed a wish to establish one with Finland.

7.11.2022 | A recent report shows that Finnish higher education institutions still have much work to do in promoting equality for teaching and research staff. Commissioned by the Ministry of Education and Culture, the project examined how gender equality, non-discrimination and diversity in higher education communities are realised and promoted in Finnish higher education institutions. The project’s final report was published on Monday 7 November.

2.12.2021 | Commissioned by the Ministry of Education and Culture, the project examines how equality, non-discrimination and diversity among staff members can be promoted in Finnish higher education institutions. Based on the study, concrete proposals for measures will be developed for higher education institutions and for national policy approaches.

10.12.2020 | The Government has prepared a draft report on education policy. The report provides an overview of the current situation in education and research and the target state and necessary measures to reach the target. The draft report has been sent on a broad round of consultations. The report is due to be submitted to Parliament early next year.

10.11.2020 | The overall level of education in Finland needs to be raised. In the context of higher education, the aim is to raise the percentage of higher education graduates from the current 41% to 50% of all 25 to 34-year-olds by 2030. Does Finnish higher education offer equality and non-discrimination to everyone and do higher education institutions respond adequately to the needs of different students?

14.4.2023 | Finland aims to become the world’s leading developer and user of sustainable digitalisation in teaching and education and training. This aim will also promote equal opportunities for learning and development. The common policies published on 14 April 2023 point the way for the sector's digital transformation.

Brochures and other materials related to education Are you looking for information on education in Finland? This page gives a list of the Ministry’s links to brochures, publications, videos and other presentations on education in Finland. More bro...

Completed projects and programmes Extension of compulsory education The minimum school leaving age will be raised to 18 years. Extension of compulsory education Preparing the Programme to Develop Quality and Equality in Vocational Education and Tr...

Culture, physical activity and youth work facilitate integration Cultural services, public libraries, activities for young people and sports activities make it easier to integrate into the society. Participation in such activities provides an easy...

Accessibility and diversity of culture The Ministry of Education and Culture aims to provide linguistic and cultural minorities, persons with disabilities and other special groups with opportunities to participate in culture and express their crea...

Local authority cultural activity Local authorities (municipalities) are responsible for organising cultural activities that support local cultural life and those involved in it. It is the local authority that decides on the content of public cult...

Construction of sports facilities There are nearly 50,000 registered sports facilities in Finland and approximately 70% of them are owned by municipalities. Privately-run sports facilities, mainly located in cities and towns, complement the supply...

Cultural Heritage Strategy The Government resolution for the Cultural Heritage Strategy emphasises the importance of cultural heritage in different sectors of society as a resource for future sustainable solutions. The key values of the strategy a...

Education policy report The Education Policy Report paves the way for equitable and high-quality education in the 2040s in Finland, where skills requirements are growing and age cohorts are shrinking. The report outlines the target state for educa...

Sports organisations Sport and physical activity organisations in Finland have over 1.1 million members. The Ministry of Education and Culture allocates government grants to national organisations that promote sport and physical activity while mun...

New architectural policy programme Finland’s new architectural policy programme (apoli), published in January 2022. The programme sets out objectives and measures for developing the sustainability of the built environment comprehensively until 203...

Morning and afternoon activities Morning and afternoon activities are activities held outside the scope of lessons before and after school, and are intended for year 1 and 2 pupils as well as pupils with special needs. Local authorities in municip...

Awards and decorations The Ministry of Education and Culture grants awards and decorations to Finnish athletes in recognition for a distinguished career in sports or for a major athletic achievement. Athlete pensions A supplementary athlete pensio...

United Nations The United Nations (UN) works for human rights, equality, social rights, tolerance and peace. Finland became a member in 1955. The implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the achievement of its goals are to...

EU and international cooperation The Ministry of Education and Culture participates in various international organisations in sport-related cooperation between different countries, as well as in the preparation of sport-related matters in the Euro...

Youth research and monitoring of young people’s living conditions Youth research is multidisciplinary research focusing on young people that emphasises such areas as research in youth cultures, consumer research, and research in exclusion, ethnic ...

The international EUROSTUDENT studies look at issues such as young people's access to higher education, the study conditions in higher education, students' use of time and their income, and integration of international students in Finland. The results of the research will be used in the development of Finnish higher education and as support for decision-making in Finland.

Awards and decorations The Ministry of Education and Culture grants awards and decorations to Finnish athletes in recognition for a distinguished career in sports or for a major athletic achievement. Athlete pensions A supplementary athlete pensio...

EU and international cooperation The Ministry of Education and Culture participates in various international organisations in sport-related cooperation between different countries, as well as in the preparation of sport-related matters in the Euro...

Latin America – São Paulo The Team Finland Knowledge role in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) focuses especially on Brazil and, according to the needs of Finnish higher education institutions and Finland's missions abroad, on Mexico, Chile, C...

Ministry of Education and Culture Minister of Education Anders Adlercreutz The Swedish People's party of Finland Minister of Education Anders Adlercreutz heads the Ministry of Education and Culture. In accordance with the division of responsibilit...

EU and international cooperation in the youth sector The objective of international and European cooperation is to develop youth policy and support youth work through networking and exchanges of good practices. The Ministry of Education and Cultur...

Promotion of physical activity The Ministry of Education and Culture endeavours to create conditions for a physically active lifestyle for the whole population. The aim is to enable the Finnish population to be physically active to a degree that s...

8.10.2013 | The Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC 2012) that was published today shows that competencies in Finland are at an excellent level. Ministers Kiuru and Ihalainen are pleased with the results, which reflect the strengths of the Finnish educational system. But they also reveal areas for future improvement.

fi Etusivu Vastuualueet Ajankohtaista Hankkeet ja säädösvalmistelu Avustukset Julkaisut Ministeriö Yhteystiedot sv Framsida Ansvarsområden Aktuellt Projekt och lagberedning Understöd Publikationer Ministeriet Kontaktinformation en Frontpage Areas ...

Key changes in the Ministry of Education and Culture's administrative branch in the government term Ministry of Education and Culture Publication date 27.1.2023 10.00 | Published in English on 30.1.2023 at 17.04 The term of Prime Minister Sanna Ma...

Education for immigrants Immigrants usually participate in the same early childhood education and care, education and training as the rest of the population. In addition to these, integration training and support for learning as well as preparator...

18.1.2013 | The Finnish parent organizations of the culture field have founded a new support association for the Culture for All Service. The new association will run the Culture for All Service, which has its tenth anniversary this year. The chair of the association is President Tarja Halonen.

26.5.2005 | Haatainen: The themes of the Finnish presidency will be quality and equality in education

21.10.2015 | Finland's Basic Education Act won the Silver Future Policy Award for the promotion of children's equal access to education and training.

28.5.2025 | The Ministry of Education and Culture has prepared a programme to advocate equity and non-discrimination in early childhood education and care, in schools and in educational institutions. The measures will be carried out over the 2025 to 2027 period.

11.3.2026 | Mr Pietrangelo Buttafuoco President of La Biennale di Venezia Mr Luigi Brugnaro, Ms Tamara Gregoretti, Mr Luca Zaia Board of Directors of La Biennale di Venezia For information: Mr Alessandro Giuli Minister of Culture of the Italian Republic Honou...

8.5.2026 | The EU ministers responsible for education, youth, culture and sport will meet in Brussels on 11–12 May. Education ministers are expected to adopt a general approach on the next Erasmus+ programme and outline the role of artificial intelligence in education. Other items on the agenda include the EU Youth Dialogue, the new AgoraEU programme, and mental health in sport.

24.2.2015 | The Recommendation promotes policies and practices to ensure gender mainstreaming in all fields and at all levels of sport. Member states are to encourage co-operation between stakeholders responsible for sport, physical education and gender equality policies at the national level.

25.2.2026 | Varkaus – a living industrial cultural heritage – was awarded the Cultural Heritage Label by the European Commission. The label is designated to sites located in the European Union that strongly embody the history, culture and integration of Europe.

11.2.2026 | Under the leadership of the Ministry of Education and Culture, a vision for the comprehensive school of the future has been drawn up. Comprehensive Schools 2045: The vision for life estimates that with accelerating technological advances, an ecological crisis and social segregation, the core function of education is being challenged. Schools are not only expected to prepare young people for future changes but also equip them for life and enable them to change the world.

3.3.2026 | AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND CULTURE AND THE UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN FINLAND FOR 2025–2028 1. Common objectives of higher education institutions The Ministry of Education and Culture and the University of Eastern Finland have agre...

26.9.2025 | The Finnish Minister of Science and Culture Mari-Leena Talvitie will attend the MONDIACULT 2025 conference on 29–30 September. Thousands of policymakers and experts will meet in Barcelona to outline the future of cultural policy.

28.6.2023 | The Ministry of Education and Culture has drawn up an action plan to promote diversity in the arts and culture. The action plan is based on the final report which a working group appointed by the Ministry published in 2021. The action plan aims to take into account the diversity of the Finnish population in all planning and decision-making in the arts and cultural policy.

14.7.2026 | EU ministers for sports have asked the European Commission to consider whether EU funding should be restricted for international sports organisations that have allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in international competitions during Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

12.6.2025 | On 12 June, the Government appointed Kirsti Laine-Hendolin, Master of Arts (Education), to the post of Director General of the Ministry of Education and Culture for the period from 1 September 2025 to 31 July 2030. The Director General is the head of the Ministry’s Department for Youth and Sport Policy.

7.1.2026 | 1 Procedural recommendations for developing Finland’s national language reserve 2 Foreword We need an accurate picture of the national language reserve Fewer languages are being studied in school Developing school practices Early childhood educati...

3.12.2024 | Memorandum of Understanding Between the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Finland and the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China on the Establishment of a Regular Consultation Mechanism for the Ministers In orde...

30.10.2024 | Minister of Education Anders Adlercreutz will attend the 2024 Global Education Meeting (GEM) organised by UNESCO in Fortaleza, Brazil, on 31 October and 1 November 2024. Brazil is hosting the meeting as part of its G20 Presidency. The meeting will examine strategies needed to achieve the SDG4 Education 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and is expected to adopt the Fortaleza Declaration by the ministers.

22.11.2024 | The EU ministers responsible for education, youth, culture and sport will meet in Brussels on 25–26 November. Topics on their agenda include boosting Europe's skills and competitiveness through higher education, opportunities for young people in rural and remote areas, role of libraries in media literacy development, and key features of the European Sport Model, which are based on the values of free...

Policies and development The objective of general education is to guarantee that every child, pupil and student – irrespective of their ethnic origin, background or wealth – equal possibilities and rights to culture, education of high quality that...

Policies concerning libraries Libraries provide all Finns with equal access to information and culture. The Ministry of Education and Culture is responsible for the national library policy in Finland. The Ministry aims to ensure that library and i...

The recommendations for artificial intelligence, AI, support competence related to AI in education, teaching and training. Strengthening competence promotes increasing understanding of AI, its safe use and equal opportunities for education and training actors to utilise emerging technologies in learning.

Questions and answers related to compulsory education This page provides answers to frequently asked questions on the extension of compulsory education. Questions and answers related to compulsory education Free of charge Guidance and supervision ...

19.6.2024 | Minister of Youth, Sport and Physical Activity Sandra Bergqvist and representatives of cities, various organisations and young people met at a round table event on Wednesday 19 June to discuss the inclusion and leisure activities of multilingual young people. The aim of the event was to find concrete measures to increase multilingual young people’s inclusion and opportunities for leisure activities.

22.1.2025 | Finland has nominated a series of 13 properties designed by architect Alvar Aalto's office for inclusion in the World Heritage List. The properties, named "Aalto Works", represent Aalto's modern and humane architecture. At the request of the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Finnish Heritage Agency has drawn up a nomination proposal, working together with Alvar Aalto Foundation and the stakeholders of the architectural sites.