On this page

1. Innovation in formal education

2. Fostering innovation through non-formal and informal learning and youth work

Innovation in formal education

Understanding the role of innovation and innovation skills is mentioned in connection with various subjects (e.g., biology, geography, handicrafts, language studies) in the core curriculum for general upper secondary education. Skills fostering innovation are included both in mandatory and optional studies. Innovation is also linked with other concepts, such as fostering sustainability, business activities, teamwork and problem solving.  

Regarding VET programmes, skills fostering innovation are not explicitly mentioned in the learning objectives of the common study units (in Finnish). On 5 May 2025 Cedefop reported that the Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI) is currently updating the competences in vocational qualifications. In addition, there are optional vocational units, which increasingly aim to promote ‘a culture of experimentation’. Thus, although innovation is not explicitly mentioned, concepts such as experimenting, developing, and planning, are skills included in the contents of the common optional studies.  

Regarding higher education, it is stated in the Government Programme 2024-2027 that ‘[t]o ensure high-quality academic research, higher education institutions encourage and reinforce a cross-disciplinary and open culture of academic discussion and open-minded innovative thinking’. Resources are targeted, for example, to ‘increase the amount of high-quality research, development and innovation focusing on energy solutions in Finland’. On a general level, the Government Programme 2024–2027 states that there is a commitment to ‘ensure that RDI [Research, development and innovation] activities are adequately co-ordinated and additional funding allocated appropriately. We will examine the education, research, and innovation system as a whole.’  The programme supports, for example, skills and innovation in the health, wellbeing and social welfare sector, including digital services. 

Innovation can also be recognised as a pedagogical tool used in higher education. One example of this is innovation pedagogy, an approach that is developed in the Turku University of Applied Sciences. See Turku University of Applied Sciences webpage for more information about the objectives and measures of innovation pedagogy.    

Fostering innovation through non-formal and informal learning and youth work

Youth work has its basis in giving young people an active role in planning, realising and evaluating youth work services, which is why “fostering innovation” can be viewed as inherently embedded in youth work activities. 

Initiatives in non-formal education that foster innovation include, for example, school club activities offered by the Development Centre Opinkirjo (in Finnish). Founded with the support of the Suomen Opettajain Liitto (Finnish Teachers’ Union), the organisation was able to address issues relevant to youth and education policy from the outset. Currently, Opinkirjo is a service organisation comprised of eleven youth work, preventive substance abuse work, and education sector organisations. 

Opinkirjo offers guides (in Finnish) for organising science fairs, product design education, and scientific literacy (i.e., familiarising students with scientific practices, literature and methods used in higher education). Themes of innovation and creativity are included in these materials. In addition, Opinkirjo promotes the development of entrepreneurial skills, for example, by organising an annual entrepreneurship contest (Yritys Hyvä in Finnish). (For more information about the contest, see Youth Wiki/Finland 8.6 Developing entrepreneurial skills through culture). Opinkirjo also organises dialogues, implementing the National Dialogues model. See YouthWiki/Finland 5.8 Raising political awareness among young people for more information regarding the National Dialogues model.