Healthcare and social welfare are the most extensive local government functions and a central part of the Finnish system of welfare services. Everyone has a fundamental right to healthcare and social welfare services, and local authorities have the statutory responsibility to organise the healthcare

The goal for the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities' immigration policy is to ensure that cities and municipalities can function locally, regionally and internationally. To this end, they need to fully harness the skills of immigrants and see to that Finland's humanitarian

The Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities (AFLRA) has engaged in lobbying at EU level for a long time: the year 2022 marks 30 years since the opening of our Brussels Office. We led the way already before Finland joined the EU. Active lobbying in the EU is an increasingly important

Finland has 18 regions and the autonomous province of the Åland Islands. There are 309 municipalities and cities: 293 in continental Finland and 16 in the Åland Islands. Local authorities cooperate on a voluntary basis in various thematic areas that support regional development, for example in

Local government finances are an important part of Finland’s general government finances. Finnish cities and municipalities have a large degree of autonomy, for example the right to levy taxes and freedom to manage their own finances. The strategic objective of the municipalities’ policy on

The network started as a project in November 2021. It is funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and coordinated by the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities. The network consists of Finland’s six largest cities: Espoo, Helsinki, Oulu, Tampere, Turku and Vantaa. The

Municipal elections are held to elect councillors to municipal councils. The elections take place every four years, and the next municipal elections will be held in 2025. Then Finnish citizens aged 18 or over can choose who they want to represent them in municipal decision-making bodies. Municipal

The Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities has two office locations. Our headquarters are in Helsinki, Finland and we also have an office in Brussels, Belgium. Helsinki office (House of Municipalities) Toinen linja 14 00101 Helsinki, Finland Telephone: +358 9 7711 E-mail: info(at

Membership All Finnish municipalities, in total 309 (2021), are members of the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities — the AFLRA. We also provide services to and cooperate with Finnish hospital districts, regional councils and joint municipal authorities. Administration The AFLRA has

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