4.4 Inclusive programmes for young people
On this page
On this page
Programmes specific for vulnerable young people
As the Government programme promised, there has been more effort lately put into non-discrimination and the reduction of bullying in Finnish society. In co-operation with several ministries, the Ministry of Education and Culture prepared an ‘Action plan to prevent bullying, teasing, violence and harassment in schools and educational institutions’ (see the press release of the ministry 26.1.2021). In May 2021, the first amendment suggestions were sent towards changes in the law. Other important measures to help realise the aforementioned objectives include training the personnel working in educative institutions and learning from youth workers how to encounter young people and build communities in a more qualitative way. The action plan referred to includes actions taken in the educational field. The National Youth Work and Youth Policy Programme broadens the picture: bullying in leisure time will be intervened in through cooperation between young people, non-governmental organisations and youth workers in municipalities. Special attention will be given to the protection of young people in minority groups and of different genders.
At the beginning of the August 2021, the details of the content of the Finland’s Structural Fund Programme are still open. In Finland, the President decides in session with the Government, and on submission from the Government, whether to confirm an Act into law and on August 13th 2021, the acts related to Finland's Structural Fund Programme for the period 2021-2027 were confirmed into law (see the news in Finnish), so the programme as such is now at the stage of forthcoming. Finland’s STF programme is led by the Ministry of Economics Affairs and Employment.
Funding
There are no specific budgets defined for realising the “Action plan to prevent bullying, teasing, violence and harassment in schools and educational institutions” (see the press release of the ministry 26.1.2021), or for the National Youth Work and Youth Policy Programme, since the aim is to integrate non-discriminative and bullying reducing perspective in all measures the government takes.
The Finland's Structural Fund Programme 2021-2027 has not yet been opened for calls, either the exact amount of funding offered related to social inclusion of young people has not been published.
Quality assurance
As part of the programme “Action plan to prevent bullying, teasing, violence and harassment in schools and educational institutions” (see the press release of the ministry 26.1.2021), there is going to be named a body of experts, which will evaluate the possible impact of the methods used in the prevention of bullying, but also those used to develop well-being and working peace in educational institutions. The body is situated in the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre, which is an independent agency responsible for the national evaluation of education. Because of being part of the government programme, the Prime Minister’s Office follows-up the realisation of the action plan. No qualitative indicators have yet been put forth. On the other hand, the National Youth Work and Youth Policy Programme states that data of the School Health Promotion Study and the Study of Young People’s Leisure Activities offer some indicators when evaluating the success of intervening bullying.
The means of quality assurance of Finland's Structural Fund Programme for 2021-2027 has not been published.