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1. Policy framework

2. Main cross-border mobility programmes for students in formal education

3. Promoting mobility in the context of non-formal learning, and of youth work

4. Quality assurance

Policy framework

As described in Eurydice database/Finland 13. Mobility and internationalisation, the international mobility of students and teachers is an essential part of education in Finland. The national core curricula sets internationalisation and cultural understanding as one of the key objectives in education. Therefore educational programmes throughout all levels of the education sector contain elements supporting internationalisation. Moreover, the education system provides students with a variety of possibilities to study outside Finland and to gain knowledge of other languages, cultures and societies. The main agency for implementing policies in the field of international co-operation in education, training, youth, sports and culture is the Finnish National Agency for Education. 

Main cross-border mobility programmes for students in formal education

As described in Eurydice database/Finland 13.1 Mobility in early childhood and school education government financial resources for the internationalisation of education and training are channelled through the Finnish National Agency for Education. There are also other national organisations offering funding to help finance, for example school exchanges. The main programmes for international student and staff mobility are Erasmus+ for mobility in European countries and Nordplus for mobility in Nordic countries. 

Promoting mobility in the context of non-formal learning, and of youth work

The Youth Act leaves open the form of youth work services, which the municipalities need to organise based on various needs at the local level. On the other hand, all the different kind of bodies (including also NGOs and parishes) offering youth work or sharing expertise on youth work at the local and national levels have long traditions in international youth work. Based on the Youth Act, international youth work can also be granted by the annual state budget. There are also national youth centres around the country which are especially named in the Act for promoting an international orientation for young people.

The Erasmus+ funding for the youth sector was EUR 2.9 million in 2015. In total, 116 projects received funding. In addition, EUR 80 000 was allocated to the European Voluntary Service activities and around EUR 184 000 for the international co-operation projects. Since the beginning of the year 2017 these funds are managed by the Finnish National Agency for Education.

Quality assurance

The Finnish National Agency for Education publishes annual statistics on international mobility of students and education professionals in Finland. The statistics are collected from schools, vocational institutions, higher education institutions and adult education organisations. They include all kind of mobility regardless if funded by educational institutions, state or for example Erasmus+. Regarding the Erasmus+ Youth in Action programme, for example equality of the distribution of the funds to different regions of the country is followed. For more information in Finnish.

The Finnish National Agency for Education together with several other Erasmus+ Youth in Action National Agencies and research partners also participate in transnational, on-going Research-based analysis and monitoring of the Youth in Action Programme. The regular surveys that are carried out measure what impact participation in Youth in Action has had on participants´ learning, attitudes and active participation in society. In addition, special surveys are carried out.

See also Mid-Term Evaluation of Erasmus+ Programme 2014-2020 Finland.