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1. Information providers / counselling structures

2. Youth-targeted information campaigns about democratic rights and democratic values

3. Promoting the intercultural dialogue among young people

4. Promoting transparent and youth-tailored public communication

Information providers / counselling structures

In Finland, the Ministry of Justice is considered a primary provider of information aimed at raising the political awareness of young people. As the coordinator of the Council of Europe Youth Campaign in Finland, the Finnish National Youth Council and Youth Sector (FYCS) also provides information on models for democracy education and participation. There is not a singular framework for counselling structures, as they may have variation on a regional level and between schools. FYCS’s Models for democracy education and participation provides an overview of some of the existing models. 

At the national level, various online contact points are available: The Ministry of Justice provides information and guidelines for youth participation in decision-making on the Suomi.fi website. According to these guidelines, municipalities, schools, and associations support the political awareness and inclusion of young people. Additionally, various online channels are highlighted as useful platforms for engaging young people (see YouthWiki/Finland 5.9 E-participation).  

Youth-targeted information campaigns about democratic rights and democratic values

Pilot: Text messages encourage young people to vote in elections 

In the 2022 county elections, a text message reminding over 30,000 randomly selected 18–29-year-olds of their right to vote was sent. The pilot study was conducted by the Ministry of Justice, the behavioural science working group at the Prime Minister’s Office, and the University of Turku. The study observed that recipients were more likely to vote. More information about the pilot study and its evaluation can be read in the Working paper: Who is mobilized to vote by short text messages? Evidence from a nationwide field experiment with young voters (Hirvonen et al., 2024).

Promoting the intercultural dialogue among young people

National Dialogues Model 

• At the national level, societal and intercultural dialogue between citizens is promoted, for example, through the National Dialogues Model. 
• It is a continuous online-based model that allows citizens to participate in societal dialogue. In spring 2026, the designated national dialogue days are Thursday, 23 April and Tuesday, 19 May. 
• Young people are recognised as a target group within the dialogues. The model also aims to create dialogue across different age groups. In spring 2026, a key objective is to invite people of all ages and backgrounds to discuss the future of young people. More information about the Young People’s Tomorrow dialogues can be found on the National Dialogues website. 
• As the dialogues have not yet been held, information regarding the main outcomes of the participation of specific youth subgroups is not yet available.

NO ONE IS BORN TO HATE – dialogues between young people on racism and discrimination - Advisory Board for Ethnic Relations (ETNO) 

• In September 2023, the Advisory Board for Ethnic Relations (Etno) organised 16 events as part of the campaign NO ONE IS BORN TO HATE – dialogues between young people on racism and discrimination
• The report ”No one is born to hate” Dialogues between young people on racism and discrimination (“Kukaan ei synny vihaamaan” Nuorten dialogit rasismista ja syrjinnästä, in Finnish), published by the Ministry of Justice on 21 December 2023, outlines that the objective was to increase awareness of the diversity of experiences of racism and their effects, in order to create effective and collective responses. 
• As an outcome, the events engaged 70 young people in dialogues surrounding the issue. 
• It was recognised that racism is present in everyday life, including in schools, leisure activities, and at the workplace. Furthermore, racism occurred at verbal, physical, and interaction levels (e.g., slurs, racist humour, physical abuse, and exclusion). 
• The Advisory Board for Ethnic Relations (Etno) operates under the Ministry of Justice as a national-level forum promoting dialogue. Its current term runs from 18 June 2025 to 17 June 2029. 

Promoting transparent and youth-tailored public communication

The Ministry of Justice, as part of the Open Government Finland and the National Programme to Promote Democracy and Participation (2025–2027) (Kansallinen ohjelma demokratian ja osallistumisen edistämiseksi), organises events and produces informational material aimed at increasing citizen participation and voting. Social media (Facebook and X) are also used to engage with young people. A specific target group for these information-sharing initiatives includes youth with an immigrant background. 

The Division of Youth Work and Youth Policy of the Ministry of Education and Culture is also active on Facebook and X, where it shares information and fosters dialogue with young people on youth policy issues.