In Finland, 'the Ministry of Education and Culture is responsible for the overall development of youth policy. The aim of youth policy is to improve the conditions in which young people grow up and live in and to enhance interaction between the generations through inter-sectoral cooperation', as described on the webpage of the ministry. The ministry strives to support young people in growing up and gaining independence, promote their active citizenship and social empowerment, and improve the environment in which they grow up, as well as their living conditions. The development of youth policy issues is informed by the Government Programme, the National Youth Work and Policy Programme as well as other government strategies and implementation plans. 

In 2024 there are 309 municipalities (see: the Glossary) in Finland, which exercise significant autonomy, see the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities. The municipality is responsible for how youth policy and youth work is implemented at the local level. The situation will continue to be run as such, despite the reform of healthcare, social welfare and rescue services, which transferred the responsibility to organise those services from municipalities to wellbeing services counties in 1.1.2023.