Social Services - thisisFINLAND

How Finland’s Housing First model makes real progress against homelessness

Finland has a plan to eradicate longterm homelessness by 2027. We asked three formerly homeless people to share their favourite things about their homes.

Life & society Social Services

Oodi Library acts as Helsinki’s urban living room

The Finnish government built the flagship library Oodi as a present to its citizens after the country celebrated 100 years of independence in 2017. It is a clear indication of how important reading and education are to Finns.

Life & society Family

For more than 100 years, Finnish “neuvola” clinics have given families a healthy start

Founded in Helsinki in 1922, a nationwide system of maternity and child health clinics has benefited and helped shape Finnish society over a period that now spans more than a century. They provide everything from prenatal healthcare to postnatal support for parents.

Life & society Society

Writer explores basic income in Finland, first-hand

Finland wants to know if finding a job is easier when unemployment benefits are replaced by a basic income. Author Tuomas Muraja shares his experiences of the basic-income trial, which runs from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2018.

Life & society Society

Finland sees dual benefits from rehab and recycling

The Uusix workshops in Helsinki combine social and environmental values by giving long-term jobseekers a chance to return to working life while making new products out of recycled materials.

Life & society Wellbeing

Enabling active ageing in Finland

Keeping Finland’s older citizens physically and socially active is of crucial importance for a society that is greying fast.