The strategy of the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities ‘An impactful partner for local government’ outlines the Association’s priorities and goals. It sets out the key measures we intend to take to advance the interests and development of local authorities and to reinvent

Established in 1994, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) participates in the EU’s legislative process by issuing opinions on affairs handled by the European Commission, Council and Parliament. The CoR brings the voice of local and regional authorities to EU decision-making. Its aim is to

Cookies This website uses cookies to provide you with a positive experience and to personalise your visit. By browsing this website you agree to the use of cookies and storage of data. What are cookies? A cookie is a small text file that the web browser stores on your device. Cookies do not contain

The key EU policy work priorities of the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities are set out in its EU policy guidelines. Approved by the Association’s board, the guidelines provide a strategic framework for lobbying efforts. The first EU policy guidelines were drawn up upon Finland’s

Social welfare and health care is the most extensive local government function and a central part of the Finnish system of welfare services. The right to social welfare and health services is a basic and fundamental right of the whole population. Local authorities are responsible for performing the

‘As a decision-maker, I have heard the words local service, customer orientation and the third sector countless times. They are words that are constantly used to justify different things. Less frequently, it is asked what they mean, and perhaps even less often, they can be justified in ways that

Municipalities are building their own future: they shape their operating environment through their actions and choices. Self-governing municipalities promote a sense of belonging, well-being and vitality in the community. Well-being is essentially linked to vitality. The well-being of municipal

Local councillors and deputy councillors are elected to the local council in local elections held within the municipality every four years. The latest elections on mainland Finland were held on 9 April 2017. The new Local Government Act (Section 16) gives the local council more freedom to decide the

Local government in Finland is based on local self-government by the people. The Finnish Constitution safeguards the central features of local self-government: Residents elect the supreme decision-making body, the municipal council. The council has the general decision-making authority in local