The Finnish government is working on a comprehensive reform of the national Integration Act. The reform is set to enter into force on 1 January 2025 and will give municipalities a greater role in the provision of integration services.

In the future, municipalities will be responsible for promoting services for migrants in integration, skills development, and employment. It is also hoped that the new municipal integration programme will improve service coordination and clarify the roles of different authorities in integration work. As well as these municipal initiatives, integration in Finland is also promoted through national wellbeing services and the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela) in cooperation with communities, organisations and associations.

Overall, the newly reformed Integration Act will improve the integration, employment and social inclusion of immigrants in Finland. Its aim is also to increase gender equality, provide more equal opportunities for migrants, and promote positive interactions between sections of the Finnish population. The government has outlined the following specific aims for the reform:

• faster integration and enhanced implementation of early-stage integration services
• integration services wholly conducted by municipalities
• improved employment of migrant women
• enhanced quality of language classes and exams
• the needs of businesses are considered alongside these changes
• increased role of the third sector and liberal adult education

Some structural changes in Finnish society, such as an upcoming employment services reform and a previous health care and social welfare reform, have brought to light certain needs that will be addressed in the new Integration Act. In aiming to meet these needs the act also aims to:

• improve the integration of migrants who are not currently employed;
• clarify the roles and responsibilities of each sector;
• strengthen multisectoral collaboration and cooperation between organisations and employers;
• ensure the needs of authorities changing roles are addressed.

The Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has been working on the reform since 2021: the new act will enter into force as part of a larger employment services reform.