NordenBladet — European digital identity and joint identification solutions were topics of discussion at the Coalition of the Willing virtual meeting arranged by the Netherlands on Thursday 27 May 2021. Finnish Minister of Local Government Sirpa Paatero spoke at the meeting about developing a cross-border digital identity for individuals and European preparatory work to date.A common format for reliably and securely identifying individuals will be needed in Europe as digital services increase and digitalisation progresses in all aspects of life. A common identification solution would help individuals access digital services and support service providers, who could verify the authenticity of client personal data. Identification solutions are currently being developed in several European countries.In her speech Minister Paatero stressed the growing need for cross-border identification and equitable conditions for citizens to use digital services and the digital identity solutions of the future. Concerns were also raised that European digital identification solutions could be left behind if joint development work is not accelerated.With respect to preparatory work already completed, the Minister’s speech highlighted a proposal of the joint working group of coalition countries favouring solutions based on self-sovereign identity. Combined with digital wallets conveying personal data and other verified information, these solutions could enable citizens to better manage their own personal data.“I do believe that our own European solution would support digital sovereignty in Europe. It would also benefit our citizens in their everyday lives in an ever-enlarging digital society. With our own solution we could ensure that the identity solution will be secure and trustworthy enough, and will respect European values,” Minister Paatero observed in her speech.The development of digital identity in Finland centres on a project led by the Ministry of Finance that seeks to create equitable conditions and opportunities for everyone accessing public services to present officially confirmed identity details in digital form. The project will enable electronic identification of people from Finland in the services of other EU Member States while accommodating ongoing joint European development work.Besides digital identity, the meeting discussed such topics as artificial intelligence, human-centred digital services, and cross-border movements of information and data. Meeting attendees came from Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — A Government supplementary budget proposal would provide additional funding of EUR 3 million to the police for preventative work. The main target group for preventative action will be children and young adults.“Children and young adults have had to bear an unreasonable burden arising from coronavirus restrictions. Particularly children in already difficult circumstances have suffered a great deal. Some young adults suffer from severe maladjustment, and may even express this through criminality. We need to be able to support these young adults now, and also to prevent youth maladjustment. The police also have a big role to play here, and I am delighted that we shall be able to allocate more funding to preventative policing,” explained Maria Ohisalo, Minister of the Interior.Some other appropriations for the police are also included in the supplementary budget proposal. Police forensic laboratory costs have risen, and an increase of EUR 1.8 million in funding for laboratory operations is proposed. An appropriation of EUR 823,000 is also proposed to cover the costs of procuring materials, goods and services required by the police due to the coronavirus pandemic.Appropriation to the Ministry of the Interior for another border patrol shipAn increase of EUR 120 million is proposed for Interior Administration funding to cover the costs of procuring another patrol ship for the Finnish Border Guard. The Government agreed the increase in the spring spending limits session. The Border Guard has now secured appropriations for procuring two new external patrol ships to replace three old vessels.“Replacing the obsolete external Border Guard patrol vessels is a necessary procurement that could no longer be postponed. External patrol ships are an important element in Finnish border control, maritime rescue, and work to combat environmental damage in sea areas. It is good that this funding can now be confirmed,” Interior Minister Ohisalo said.Costs of internal border control to be reimbursedThe coronavirus pandemic continues to impose additional costs on the Interior Administration. The Border Guard continued border control at internal borders throughout the beginning of 2021. This internal border control must be implemented with the same personnel who are normally responsible only for external border control. Implementing control at both external and internal borders accordingly requires a significant increase in labour input by staff. This is achieved through overtime and other instruments available to the employer. An increase of EUR 5.88 million is proposed for funding internal border control.More emergency response centre operators to be trainedAn increase of EUR 955,000 in appropriations for the Emergency Services College is proposed with a view to enabling an additional course for emergency response centre operators to alleviate an acute staff shortage in this sector. An 18-month emergency response centre operator course for 24 trainees will begin in Kuopio next autumn.Additional appropriations related to the EU Recovery Instrument are proposed for the police and the Finnish Immigration Service. An appropriation is also proposed for these agencies to finance changes required under regulations governing interoperability between EU information systems.The third supplementary budget proposal for 2021 was submitted to Parliament on Thursday 27 May.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — The Report on Development Policy across Parliamentary Terms strengthens the long-term approach in Finnish development cooperation from the perspective of principles, values and goals, and makes development policy more focused. In order to achieve results, development policy must be conducted in a coherent manner.On 27 May 2021, the Government adopted the Report on Development Policy across Parliamentary Terms. A parliamentary monitoring group representing all parliamentary parties took part in the preparation of this report, and various sectors in society were consulted extensively during the preparative phase. The aim was to form a shared overall view on development policy, widely supported by Finnish society. The Report reiterates that development policy is an integral part of Finland’s foreign and security policy, which aims to enhance security and wellbeing through international cooperation. Finland’s development policy promotes the worldwide goal aiming at sustainable poverty reduction and the realisation of fundamental rights, the rules-based multilateral system, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted in the UN.“Finnish development cooperation has reached good results, and it is in the interest of Finland to adhere to measures that sustain this positive trend. Principles that are valid across parliamentary terms ensure that the direction in development policy remains clear – this offers us the best opportunities to make this work as effective as possible,” says Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari.Development policy priorities are based on Finland’s strengths, promoted through cooperation

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — The Government has issued a resolution on an update of the hybrid strategy to manage the COVID-19 epidemic. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has updated the action plan to remain in force until further notice. The Government’s goal is to keep the COVID-19 epidemic under control in Finland until a sufficient vaccination coverage has been reached and the risk of a resurgence in the epidemic is significantly lower.The vaccine rollout has progressed well and the epidemiological situation has improved. However, the number of new COVID-19 cases remains high, and the vaccination coverage is not high enough to allow a more comprehensive lifting of restrictions. The situation may deteriorate again if contacts between people increase significantly and the virus is able to spread more freely in the population.The Government will carry out an overall review of the action plan in summer and autumn 2021 to take account of the development of the epidemic and the progress in the vaccine rollout. The first review is scheduled for mid-June and the second for August. Restrictions on indoor events will be reviewed separately in early June.Need for measures assessed based on phases of the epidemicThe action plan divides the epidemic into three phases: baseline, acceleration phase and community transmission phase. The three phases are used to assess the need for and the appropriate targeting of recommendations and restrictions across the country. They are also used when making decisions on lifting restrictions at regional and national levels.The Government has reviewed the criteria for the phases of the epidemic. From now on, incidence rates will be calculated for 14-day periods only. The progress of vaccinations and the success of contact tracing will carry more weight in the criteria.Emphasis on outdoor activities and on avoiding close contactsThe Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Transport and Communications issue recommendations to the regional authorities concerning the use and application of restrictions and recommendations at different phases of the epidemic. The recommendations are based on earlier action plans, but they have been harmonised and clarified, and they take better into account existing circumstances. The recommendation for the community transmission phase is that even large outdoor events can be organised as long as safe distances are observed and special separation arrangements are in place. All indoor events continue to be limited to 10 persons. However, the Government is scheduled to review this restriction in early June. As a rule, activities in high-risk facilities can be suspended only indoors. This recommendation applies only to activities for adults.The main recommendation for the acceleration phase is to continue avoiding close contacts. More specific recommendations on avoiding close contacts will be issued both for events and for using public facilities. Suspension of activities and large-scale distance learning are no longer considered necessary.Good basic hygiene and safe distances are the main recommendations in baseline areas. Avoiding close contacts is no longer considered necessary. There are no specific restrictions on public events, although people are still encouraged to keep a safe distance to others.Keeping in mind that a majority of the population still lacks full vaccine protection, careful consideration must be exercised with any decision to lift restrictions or open up society. Measures included in the acceleration phase may be justified even for the baseline if the epidemiological situation nationally or in the neighbouring areas is getting worse. Should a community transmission phase be impending, it is justified to adopt all necessary measures without delay.The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health will send a circular to the regions with recommendations adjusted based on the updated action plan. 

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — The Government has today adopted a Resolution on an Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan, the objective being to combat corruption more broadly than is done now at all levels of public administration. Intensification of cooperation between the authorities, better identification of corruption than at present, and increased transparency in decision-making play a key role.“The aim of the Strategy is to intensify the fight against corruption in the short term, and in the long term to build a society where corruption has no chance of success,” says Minister of Justice Anna-Maja Henriksson.“The Anti-Corruption Strategy will strengthen ethically good practices in public administration and companies. The Strategy and the related Action Plan will also help to combat corruption for instance in the context of public procurement and increase the transparency of procurement. Additionally, the Strategy will have a positive impact on the transparency and credibility of political decision-making,” Henriksson states.Measures will be implemented in extensive cooperationThe aim of the first Government-level Anti-Corruption Strategy is to commit public administration and political actors to combat corruption effectively, to promote the identification of corruption and the transparency of decision-making, and to improve the ability of authorities to hold those who have engaged in corrupt practices accountable for their actions. In addition, the aim is to facilitate the creation of national situation awareness of corruption.The implementation of the Anti-Corruption Strategy is supported by the Action Plan for 2021–2023. The measures include, among others, improving cooperation between the authorities, raising awareness of corruption, exposing cases of corruption, examining the functioning of anti-corruption legislation and promoting research. No separate funding has been allocated for the implementation of the Action Plan. Fight against corruption supports sustainable developmentIn line with the Programme of Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s Government, the Anti-Corruption Strategy supports the implementation of sustainable development goals, such as strengthening the rule of law and good governance, and reducing corruption and bribery.The strategy work is based on the international recommendations directed at Finland to intensify anti-corruption work. The preparation of the Strategy has utilised the previous work of the anti-corruption cooperation network coordinated by the Ministry of Justice.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — On Tuesday 27 May, the President of the Republic released Member of Parliament Matti Vanhanen, Master of Social Sciences, from the post of Minister of Finance and his membership in the Government. On the same occasion, the President transferred and appointed Minister of Science and Culture Annika Saarikko as Minister of Finance and appointed Member of Parliament Antti Kurvinen, Lawyer, Master of Laws, as a Member of Government and Minister of Science and Culture.Following the presidential session, the Government plenary session made decisions on changes to the ministerial portfolios, deputising arrangements and the composition of ministerial committees and working groups. Minister Kurvinen took an oath of office and a judicial oath.Saarikko will continue as minister deputising for the Prime Minister. She will be a member of the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs, the Ministerial Committee on Economic Policy and the Ministerial Finance Committee. In addition, she will serve as the chair of the Sustainable Growth Programme for Finland and member of the Ministerial Working Group on Promoting Employment and the Ministerial Working Group on Health and Social Services. Kurvinen will chair the Ministerial Working Group on Child and Youth Policy and be member of the Ministerial Working Group on Competence, Education, Culture and Innovation, the Ministerial Working Group on Internal Security and Strengthening the Rule of Law, and the Ministerial Monitoring group on the Social Security Reform.The Government also appointed State Secretaries to the Ministers. Maria Kaisa Aula, Licentiate in Political Science, will continue as State Secretary to the Ministry of Finance and Tuomo Puumala, Master in Social Sciences, as State Secretary to the Minister of Science and Culture. Anna-Mari Vimpari will continue as State Secretary to the Centre Party ministerial group. 

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — The purpose of the event guarantee is to reduce the financial risk of organising events. The guarantee is an advance payment commitment given to event organisers for the costs the organisers declare. If the event is cancelled or its size restricted by law or order of an authority, compensation will be paid for the costs incurred.Event organisers will apply for event guarantee at the State Treasury. The application process has two phases. Applications will be accepted from 1 June to 31 August 2021. Event organisers must apply for compensation based on the event guarantee separately. Applications for compensation are accepted from 15 September to 7 December 2021. The State Treasury will provide more detailed instructions on how to apply for event guarantee on 28 May 2021.Event guarantee applies to established event organisers – regional restrictions to be taken into accountThe event guarantee would apply to, for example, art and cultural festivals, concerts and exhibitions, sports events, music festivals, fairs and similar events.Event guarantee may be granted if the following conditions are met:The event is a public event with at least 200 participants.The event will take place between 1 June and 7 December 2021.The event organiser is an established and professional business that has a Business ID, a permanent organisation and a turnover of more than EUR 150,000 in 2019. Typically, established event organisers have hired staff, but sole entrepreneurs can also apply for event guarantee.Regional restrictions by the authorities permit the organisation of an event for at least 200 people.Event guarantee does not apply to events organised regularly year-round. Such events include weekly performances, concerts and plays, or sports events organised as a series.Event guarantee granted for preannounced and actual costsIn its application, the event organiser should include the planned time, place and duration of the event, the estimated costs and any subcontractors of the event. The organiser applies for the event guarantee, but the compensation for cancelled events will also be paid to the subcontracts included in the application.If the event is cancelled completely by law or by order of an authority, 85% of the costs will be reimbursed. Only actual costs announced in advance could be compensated. An event is considered cancelled if a law or order of an authority restricting such events is in force 90 days or less before the event.An event may also be deemed cancelled if the size of the event is restricted by law or order of an authority to allow no more than 85% of the initially planned participants. In such a case, the event organiser may cancel the event and receive compensation in accordance with the event guarantee. The event organiser may also scale down the size of the event to comply with the restrictions, in which case the event guarantee will compensate for the costs in part.Under the leadership of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Government prepares recommendations concerning the organisation of events. Municipalities and Regional State Administrative Agencies make decisions based on these recommendations. The recommendations differ from one region to another, depending on the epidemiological situation.Applications accepted for Ministry of Education and Culture’s event aidThe Ministry of Education and Culture accepts applications for coronavirus-related grants from art and cultural festivals and summer theatres. The Ministry’s grants will supportart and cultural festivals organised as activities of general interestart and cultural festivals organised on a commercial basis (organiser’s turnover including VAT of up to EUR 150,000 in 2019)  summer theatre activities that are either professional or at least partly employ arts professionals.  The grants are intended to support activities that have become more difficult or that have been cancelled altogether due to the restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic between 1 January and 30 September 2021. The grants also aim to help continue or restart activities as flexibly as possible after the restrictions have ended. Applications are accepted until 22 June 2021.EUR 80 million reserved for event guaranteeAid granted earlier under the same temporary State aid rules of the European Commission will be taken into account when granting the guarantee. The total amount of coronavirus-related aid, such as business cost support, cannot exceed EUR 1.8 million. The aid granted by the Ministry of Education and Culture for the same purpose will be deducted from the event guarantee.The Government has reserved EUR 80 million for the event guarantee and a total of about EUR 230 million for the support package for the cultural, arts, sports and event sectors. On 27 May 2021, the Government proposed that the President of the Republic approve the amendments to the Act on Support for Business Costs, which will enable the event guarantee. The Act will enter into force on 1 June 2021.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — The Government appointed Dr Minna Kelhä as Director General of the Finnish National Agency for Education. The duration of the position is for five years, beginning on 7 June 2021 and ending on 6 June 2026.Kelhä has served as State Secretary to the Minister of Education since 2019. Her previous positions include: Secretary-General of the Left Alliance Parliamentary Group from 2016 to 2019, Parliamentary Secretary from 2015 to 2016, Development Manager at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare from 2014 to 2015, Special Adviser to the Minister of Culture and Sport from 2011 to 2014, and Parliamentary Assistant from 2009 to 2011. Kelhä qualified as a Doctor of Education in 2009.In her position as State Secretary to the Minister of Education, Kelhä has led the legislative projects and content preparation of key education policy reforms under the Government Programme.Kelhä has been responsible for preparations for programmes such as the extension of compulsory education, reforming continuous learning, the project called ‘The Right to Learn’ for early childhood education and care and basic education, and the ‘Right to Know’ project for vocational education and training.The Finnish National Agency for Education develops education, early childhood education and care and lifelong learning and promotes a more international scope in its activities. The Director General leads the Agency’s operations and is responsible for the effectiveness of the Agency’s activities. Altogether 17 candidates applied for the post.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — The epidemiological situation has remained stable in Finland in the past few weeks. The number of new COVID-19 cases took a sharp downward turn in late March, which levelled out in late April. Since then the number of new cases has remained stable.The epidemic is developing in two directions. More social contacts and the more transmissible virus variants may increase the number of infections. At the same time, the progress in the vaccine rollout and seasonality drive the number of cases down. This explains why the number of weekly infections remains stable.More social contacts may result in regional clustersThe coronavirus situation is very different across the country. Southern and southwestern Finland have the highest numbers of new cases. However, the situation has improved considerably in the Hospital District of Southwest Finland compared to the previous week. Vaccination progress and seasonality help control the epidemicIn Finland, more than 90 per cent of people aged 70 or older and more than 50 per cent of people aged over 16 have received their first vaccine dose. It is estimated that all those aged 16 or over who wish to be vaccinated will have received their first dose by the end of July.Monitoring coronavirus (in Finnish and Swedish)The COVID-19 epidemic: regional situation, recommendations and restrictionsCoronavirus in numbers (Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa)Action plan for implementing the hybrid strategy to curb the COVID-19 epidemic in January-May 2021 (Publications of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health 2021:1)Effects of the COVID-19 epidemic on wellbeing, services and the economy, in FinnishProgress with the rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations, in Finnish and SwedishGuidelines for the controlled dismantling of restrictions and recommendations put in place due to the COVID-19 epidemic: Government memorandum 20 April 2021 (Prime Minister’s Office) in Finnish

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — Minister of Defence Antti Kaikkonen will participate in the EU defence minister meeting in Lisbon on Friday 28 May 2021.
The ministers will discuss topical defence cooperation issues, such as the process of strategic evaluation and steering of EU defence cooperation, the Strategic Compass, focusing on the development of capabilities and new transformational technologies. They will also discuss the EU Strategy for Africa together with African regional organisations and the UN.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi