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1. Legal/policy framework for the functioning and development of youth organisations

2. Public financial support

3. Initiatives to increase the diversity of participants

Legal/policy framework for the functioning and development of youth organisations

As noted in Youth Wiki/Finland Chapter 2 Voluntary Activities, youth organisations in Finland have a strong position in the field of youth policy, youth work, and society more broadly. While their activities are largely publicly funded and supported by the authorities, they are not regulated by them. Youth organisations set their own objectives, which means they enjoy a high level of autonomy. However, the Associations Act (503/1989) (Yhdistyslaki, also available in Swedish) serves as the primary law regulating organisational activities at a general level, while the Youth Act (72/2016) (Nuorisolaki, available also in Swedish) specifies the objectives and values of youth work and policy. The Youth Act specifically aims to support young people’s growth and independence to promote active citizenship. 

When allocating funds, The Ministry of Education and Culture evaluates the type of youth work an organisation conducts, its sphere of activity, its membership base, and the degree of volunteering and youth participation in its decision-making. Furthermore, the Ministry considers performance (quality, extent, and cost-effectiveness of operations), societal relevance of the activities, and the need for a subsidy. 

Public financial support

The Ministry of Education and Culture financially supports approximately 100 national youth organisations, youth work service organisations, and other organisations conducting youth work. These organisations include political youth associations, youth representation organisations, youth leisure and culture associations, religious youth associations, and child associations. These organisations also receive funding from other sources (for more information, see  Wiki/Finland 2.4 Youth volunteering at national level).

According to the Youth Act (72/2016) (Nuorisolaki, available also in Swedish), national youth and youth work organisations are eligible for state subsidies. These subsidies are allocated based on an organisation’s financial management and the nationwide coverage, quality, scope, and social impact of its activities. Organisations are also expected to promote non-discrimination, equality, and social inclusion through their activities. They should otherwise pursue the objectives and underlying principles set out in the Youth Act, which include solidarity, cultural diversity, and internationality; sustainable development, healthy lifestyles, respect for life and the environment; and cross-sectoral cooperation. Further provisions concerning the performance criteria, acceptable expenditure, the procedure for approving the eligible organisations, and other grounds for receiving subsidies are set out in the Government Decree on Youth Work and Policy (211/2017) (Valtioneuvoston asetus nuorisotyöstä ja -politiikasta, also available in Swedish).

The Assessment and State Aid Commission submits an annual proposal to the Ministry of Education and Culture regarding the allocation of state subsidies to youth and youth work organisations. The Government appoints the members of the Commission following consultations with parties engaged in youth activities. Members should be familiar with the operations of national youth work organisations and must possess expertise in youth work, youth policy, and youth activities. 

Based on the Government Decree, an organisation can obtain the status of a national youth or youth work organisation if: 

1. Young people comprise at least two-thirds of the total membership or the combined individual members of its district or local associations (youth organisation);
2. At least part of its activities involves young people engaging voluntarily on their own terms, exercising independent decision-making and having budgetary powers (organisation promoting youth work);
3. At least part of its activities consists of youth work that is clearly distinguishable from its other operations (organisation engaged in youth work);
4. Its primary function is to provide services to youth work organisations, municipalities, or other youth work entities (youth work services organisation). 

Based on the Government Decree, the quality assessment of an organisation’s activities considers their regularity and permanency, as well as the efficiency of its financial management and administration. The amount of funding provided by the ministry also reflects the organisation’s commitment to promoting equality, gender equality, youth participation, and the other objectives and premises established by the Youth Act. 

Initiatives to increase the diversity of participants

The Youth Act (72/2016) (Nuorisolaki, available also in Swedish) and the Government Decree on Youth Work and Policy (211/2017) (Valtioneuvoston asetus nuorisotyöstä ja -politiikasta, also available in Swedish) do not identify specific target groups within the youth population whose participation in youth organisations should be prioritised. However, in accordance with the Government Decree, the grounds for approval to be identified as a national youth organisation, and therefore to be entitled to subsidies, are that an organisation is deemed nationally representative of a specific language, minority, or other distinct group. This framework encourages the third sector to actively include minorities and supports their participation (for more information, visit Youth Wiki/Finland 4.4 Inclusive Programmes for Young People).  

The Finnish National Youth Council and Youth Sector has had an important role in developing the role of youth organisations in Finnish society. It is an umbrella organisation for 130 national youth organisations lobbying for their viewpoint and youth work in general in public decision-making. Its advocacy role is supported by the state. The organisation works with youth organisations, youth workers, and young people to promote justice, equality, equal treatment, participation, and tolerance. It supports youth organisations in developing their own non-discrimination and equality plan by offering training, guidance, and materials. These activities align with the Non-Discrimination Act (1325/2014) (Yhdenvertaisuuslaki, also available in Swedish), as well as the equality materials and recommendations from the Ministry of Justice, which have been collected on the as well as with the equality materials and recommendations from the Ministry of Justice, which have been collected on the Equality website.