NordenBladet — Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nadia Murad will visit Finland at the invitation of Prime Minister Sanna Marin. Prime Minister Marin and Murad, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018, will meet at the Prime Minister’s official residence Kesäranta on Monday 22 November.At their meeting, Prime Minister Marin and Murad, who is known as an advocate for victims of sexual violence, will discuss issues related to promoting human rights, protecting the most vulnerable people and, in particular, defending the position and rights of women and girls in crises and violent conflicts.Nadia Murad will also meet with Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto and Minister of Equality Affairs Thomas Blomqvist, and with the Advisory Board for International Human Rights and its Chair, Member of Parliament Eva Biaudet. In addition, Murad will speak at the International Gender Equality Prize award ceremony on Monday 22 November in Tampere. Promoting the engagement of civil society and strengthening the position and rights of women, girls and minority groups are key elements of Finland’s foreign and development policy. Finland will also work to keep these goals on the agenda at the UN Human Rights Council. Finland’s three-year term on the council will begin in 2022.Nadia Murad was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 for her work to promote the rights of victims of sexual violence and survivors of genocides.
NordenBladet — At the initiative of the Ministry of the Interior, the Finnish Government commissioned a study examining the types of complementary pathways for legal migration available in different countries for use by people in need of international protection. The focus of the study was on labour-based and study-based complementary pathways. The results confirm that there is a need for legal pathways, as has been discussed in Finland, and they support the EU in seeking new solutions to migration.Examples of labour-based and study-based complementary pathways include recruitment channels and scholarship programmes, through which people in need of international protection can be admitted as workers and students, rather than as asylum seekers or quota refugees. The routes are referred to as complementary because they are not meant to substitute the refugee resettlement systems of different countries but rather complement them. Their purpose is to enable legal and safe admission. Complementary pathways combine humanitarian admission and competence-based migrationThe study shows that so far the labour-based or study-based complementary pathways in use in different countries are just isolated programmes and experiments. However, their number is growing rapidly, and complementary pathways have the potential of meeting the needs of both those qualifying for the arrangement and the host countries. In some cases, complementary pathways have helped countries address their shortage of healthcare labour.EU encourages Member States to develop complementary pathwaysThe European Commission issued a communication on a new pact on migration and asylum in 2020. It highlights the importance of developing complementary pathways to legal migration as part of the EU’s comprehensive approach to migration. The Commission also issued a separate recommendation on legal pathways to protection. It urges Member States to explore the possibilities of admitting those in need of international protection for labour purposes or for studies and encourages countries to share their experiences. Study supports joint EU effortsThe research team consisted of experts from the Rehabilitation Foundation, Oxford Research AB and the Migration Institute of Finland, along with an independent researcher, Dr Joanne van Selm, who specialises in migration and refugee matters. The steering group of the research project included representatives from the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.The research report was drawn up in English so that other countries, too, can make use of the information produced. Therefore, it will support the EU Member States’ joint efforts to find new solutions to migration.
NordenBladet — The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has sent a circular to the regions that guides them in taking the action plan for the revised hybrid strategy into full use and in exercising the powers under the Communicable Diseases Act starting on 15 November.The action plan for the revised hybrid strategy will be taken into full use when the vaccination coverage for people aged 12 or over has reached the minimum of 80 per cent or all of them have had the opportunity to get vaccinated twice. According to the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, the national target of 80 per cent vaccination coverage was reached on 10 November 2021.The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health will guide the regions in monitoring the development of the epidemic and in deciding on the recommendations and restrictions needed to curb it.Instead of the earlier phase-based criteria, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has drawn up epidemiological characteristics for areas in the community transmission phase that are better suited to the current epidemiological situation. They can be used by the regions as an indicative tool when assessing the need for measures. The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare will publish information on the areas that meet these epidemiological characteristics on its website starting on 15 November.The guiding principle for the new strategy is that the various functions of society should remain open. The strategy emphasises the importance of local and targeted measures in combating the epidemic.The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health stresses that the epidemic continues in Finland but it varies locally, having diverse effects. In addition, the epidemic continues to spread rapidly among unvaccinated people. Vaccination coverage alone is not enough to curb the epidemic, even though it slows down the spread of the epidemic. For this reason, it is necessary to take targeted and enhanced measures at the local level, if there are or it seems that there may be large local infection clusters where the spread of the disease among population groups poses an undeniable risk to the health and wellbeing of those susceptible to the disease and where, through its indirect effects, the spread of the disease may also cause large-scale societal harm. Circular issued by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health: Full application of the action plan implementing the revised hybrid strategy to control the COVID-19 epidemic (in Finnish and Swedish)Annex: Epidemiological characteristics for areas in the community transmission phase (in Finnish and Swedish)Action plan for implementing the hybrid strategy to control the COVID-19 epidemic 2021–22, description sheet in EnglishThe COVID-19 epidemic: regional situation, recommendations and restrictions (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare)
NordenBladet — EU foreign ministers will meet in Brussels on Monday 15 November. The main topics on the meeting agenda will be the Sahel, the Western Balkans and the Strategic Compass for security and defence cooperation in the EU. Topical issues on the agenda will include Belarus, the geopolitical dimensions of energy prices, Ethiopia, Sudan and the outcome of the COP26 summit. The meeting of foreign ministers on the Eastern Partnership (EaP) will discuss the future priorities of the cooperation and prepare for the Eastern Partnership summit, on 15 December.The Foreign Affairs Council will discuss the situation in the Sahel, especially recent events in Mali. Finland emphasises the inclusion of civilian activities, such as the provision of basic services and education, and peace-building, alongside the EU’s crisis management efforts among the key priorities of the EU. The ministers will also discuss the EU’s role in the Western Balkans. The discussion will explore opportunities for continued cooperation with the countries in the region. The situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the dialogue on the normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo will also be on the agenda.In a joint discussion of the foreign and defence ministers, the High Representative Josep Borrell will present the first draft of the Strategic Compass, aimed to further define the direction of the EU’s security and defence cooperation. The aim of the Strategic Compass is to elaborate on the jointly agreed goals in respect of crisis management, support of partners, and protection of the European Union and its citizens. Finland’s objective is to reach a comprehensive, concrete Strategic Compass that develops and strengthens the EU’s Common Foreign, Security and Defence Policy.Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto will also attend a meeting of foreign ministers on the Eastern Partnership. The coming Eastern Partnership Work Programme is designed to support the recovery of partner countries’ economies and to strengthen social resilience and reforms.“Finland supports the Eastern Partnership, and the upcoming summit is important for strengthening our common commitments. Finland considers fundamental rights and common values and related reforms as important foundation for establishing social stability. It is positive that the EaP will also increasingly support the partner countries’ efforts to combat climate change,” says Minister for Foreign Affairs Haavisto.
NordenBladet — A research project commissioned by the Government investigated the types of complementary migration pathways available for people in need of international protection. The main focus of the study was on labour-based and study-based complementary pathways. The number of complementary pathway programmes is growing rapidly, and they have the potential to respond to the needs of both people in need of protection and the receiving societies.Complementary pathways provide people in need of international protection with a safe and lawful route to a country that can meet their international protection needs. The routes are referred to as complementary because they are not substitutes for the refugee resettlement systems of different countries but are rather in addition to them.Examples of labour-based and study-based complementary pathways include recruitment channels and scholarship programmes created for people in need of protection, through which they can arrive in the receiving country as workers and students, rather than as asylum seekers or through refugee resettlement.The study’s international comparison revealed that complementary pathways based on work or studies have not been clearly established globally; for the time being, there are a variety of different programmes in place, many of which are still in the pilot phase.Complementary pathways are a rapidly growing phenomenonAs a rule, work-based and study-based complementary pathway programmes use ordinary visas and residence permits granted for work or study. However, they take into account the special situation of experts in need of international protection, such as difficulties in obtaining all of the documents normally required, by providing support at different stages of the application process, granting exemptions to certain criteria for entry, and waiving fees.The study found that the labour market, higher education institutions and NGOs play a key role in the current pathway process. So far, there are more study-based programmes in place than work-based ones.While the number of complementary pathway programmes is growing rapidly, their capacity is still rather modest. That said, the programmes have great potential to meet both the needs of people in need of protection and those of the receiving societies. Complementary pathway programmes cannot replace resettlement, however, as they do not target the most vulnerable refugees.Study helps in assessing opportunities complementary pathways can offerIn recent years, the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR has stressed the importance of developing complementary pathways in order to respond to the refugee situation. Interest in developing complementary pathways is also intensified by ageing populations and the growing need for labour in many developed countries. The information gathered in the study helps us understand the nature of complementary pathways and their role in migration policy.Representatives from international expert organisations and experts working with individual work-based or study-based programmes in different countries were interviewed for the study. The researchers also organised an expert panel and webinar on complementary pathways and participated in international online events on the topic.The research team consisted of experts from the Rehabilitation Foundation, Oxford Research AB and the Migration Institute of Finland, along with an independent consultant, Dr Joanne van Selm, who specialises in migration and refugee issues.The study was conducted as part of the implementation of the 2021 Government Plan for Analysis, Assessment and Research. The research report was drawn up in English so that other countries can also make use of the information produced.
NordenBladet — The Government appointed Piritta Asunmaa to serve as Director General of Political Department for the Ministry for Foreign Affairs for a fixed term from 29 November 2021 to 31 August 2025.The Government appointed Counsellor for Foreign Affairs Piritta Asunmaa, Director General of the Department for the Americas and Asia in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, to serve as Director General of the Political Department for a fixed term from 29 November 2021 to 31 August 2025. She has served in her current position since 2019.In 2015–2019, Asunmaa served as Head of Finland’s Mission to NATO in Brussels. She worked in Brussels also from 2011 to 2015, when she was Finland’s Representative to the EU’s Political and Security Committee. From 2009 to 2011, before transferring to Brussels, she worked as Deputy Director General of the Department for Communication and Culture in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Her career in the Diplomatic Service includes posts in Washington DC and Paris and, another period at the Mission of Finland to NATO in Brussels.Asunmaa joined the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in 1992. She holds a Master of Social Sciences degree and has a diploma from ENA, l’École nationale d’administration, where she studied in 1998–1999.
NordenBladet — On 10 November, 86 per cent of the target population for COVID-19 vaccination in Finland, i.e. people who are 12 years of age or over, had received at least one vaccine dose and 80 per cent two vaccine doses. However, reaching this milestone is not enough to reverse the trend of rising COVID-19 infection rates and the growing need for hospital care.Between 4 and 10 November, the uptake of the first vaccine dose grew by 0.3 percentage points and the uptake of the second dose by 0.9 percentage points. On 10 November, a total of 121,799 people had received their third vaccine dose. It remains very important that everyone gets vaccinated, if they have not done so yet. Vaccination provides very good protection against more severe forms of COVID-19 and it also helps to protect family and friends.The incidence of new COVID-19 cases over the last two two-week period (25 October–7 November) was 167 per 100,000 inhabitants. This is around 26 per cent more than in the preceding two-week period (11–24 October) when the incidence of cases was 133 per 100,000 inhabitants. Between 1 and 7 November, about 5,100 new cases were reported in Finland, while in the preceding three weeks, the average weekly number was 3,700–4,200.A total of 119 new COVID-19 inpatients were admitted to specialised healthcare between 1 and 7 November. Over the past five weeks, the weekly numbers of new COVID-19 inpatients in specialised healthcare have varied between 110 and 135. Last week, 20 new COVID-19 patients were admitted to intensive care. Over the past five weeks, the weekly numbers of COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care have varied between 13 and 28. At the end of last week, the total number of patients in specialised healthcare was 140, of whom 107 were in inpatient care and 33 in intensive care. The number of COVID-19 patients in specialised healthcare was higher compared to the end of the preceding week when the total number of patients was 115 (91 in inpatient care and 24 in intensive care). The burden on hospital care has remained more or less at the same level for the last month. On 10 November 2021, the total number of COVID-19-related deaths reported to the communicable diseases register was 1,212.The risk of being admitted to specialised healthcare is significantly higher for unvaccinated people than for those who have been vaccinated twice. Between August and October 2021, unvaccinated people with COVID-19 were admitted to specialised healthcare 19 times more often than those who had been vaccinated twice.Over 83,000 COVID-19 tests were taken in Finland last week. The figure is slightly higher than in the previous two weeks when about 76,500–79,500 tests were carried out weekly. Last week, the proportion of positive cases of all samples was 6.2 per cent. The proportion increased compared to the preceding week when it was 5.2 per cent. For the weeks ending on 17 and 24 October, the figures were around 4.5–4.8 per cent. The epidemiological situation is monitored weekly. The situational picture is updated weekly on the website of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare. An extensive monitoring report is published on the Institute’s webpage ‘Monitoring reports on the hybrid strategy’ every other week on Thursday afternoons.
NordenBladet — The Government has adopted new programmes for the European Union Home Affairs Funds for the programming period 2021–2027. The Funds for the programming period include the Internal Security Fund, the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy.The total funding of the Home Affairs Funds under the programming period 2021–2027 will be approximately EUR 183 million. In connection with the mid-term review to be carried out in 2024, it is possible to obtain additional funding for the programmes provided that at least 10% of the initial allocation has been covered by payment applications by the time of the mid-term review. Additional funding will be allocated to the Member States on the basis of the criteria defined in the Regulations establishing the Funds.Security-related incidents can be prevented by preparing for newly emerging threatsThe Internal Security Fund (ISF) aims to develop tools, procedures, cooperation and situation awareness to combat and investigate cross-border crime. A further aim is to strengthen crisis resilience and preparedness for newly emerging threats in order to prevent phenomena that undermine security. The Fund also seeks to improve the protection of crime victims. The Internal Security Fund is divided into three specific objectives defined in the EU Regulation establishing the Fund:At the beginning of the programming period, Finland’s share of the funding from the Internal Security Fund will be EUR 36.60 million.Promoting implementation of common immigration policyThe objective of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) is to contribute to effective management of migration matters and to the implementation, strengthening and development of the common policy on asylum and the common immigration policy. The Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund is divided into four specific objectives defined in the EU Regulation establishing the Fund, and Finland has included the first three in its programme:• strengthening and developing all aspects of the Common European Asylum System, including its external dimension; • strengthening and developing legal migration to the Member States in accordance with their economic and social needs, and promoting and contributing to the effective integration and social inclusion of third-country nationals; • contributing to countering irregular migration, enhancing effective, safe and dignified return and readmission, and promoting and contributing to effective initial reintegration in third countries; and • enhancing solidarity and fair sharing of responsibility between the Member States, in particular as regards those most affected by migration and asylum challenges, including through practical cooperation.At the beginning of the programming period, Finland’s share of the funding from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund will be EUR 67.93 million. In addition, Member States will receive funding for resettlement and humanitarian admission through the Fund. Between 2021 and 2022, the funding allocated to Finland is estimated at about EUR 33.8 million.Towards strong and effective European integrated border management at external bordersThe Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy (BMVI) aims to develop and implement strong and effective European integrated border management at the external borders, thereby contributing to ensuring a high level of internal security within the Union, while safeguarding the free movement of persons within the Union and fully respecting the relevant Union acquis and fundamental and human rights obligations. The Instrument is divided into two specific objectives defined in the EU Regulation establishing the Instrument:• supporting effective European integrated border management at the external borders, implemented by the European Border and Coast Guard; and • supporting the common visa policy.At the beginning of the programming period, Finland’s share of the funding from the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy will be EUR 77.97 million.
NordenBladet — Finland holds the Chairship of the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) in 2021. In this capacity, Finland will organise a virtual Freedom Online Conference from 30 November to 3 December 2021, which celebrates FOC’s 10th anniversary. The Conference will culminate with a virtual FOC Ministerial Meeting, hosted by Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto.In addition to the 34 FOC member governments, the Conference will bring together experts in human rights, internet and digitalisation issues from civil society organisations, companies and research institutes. The aim is to share best practices and discuss how to promote a free, accessible and safe internet open to all in the 2020s.Openness, accessibility, inclusionSince FOC’s establishment in 2011, the number of internet users has grown exponentially. Digital technologies offer more and more opportunities, for example, for information exchange and interaction between people. Access to the internet has become necessary because it is a precondition for the availability of services and for economic and social participation. At the same time, a large share of the world’s population do not have access to the internet and digital technologies. Every year, network functions are dismantled for political reasons, and new technologies are exploited for political oppression and in the interest of economic gain. FOC’s mission to defend and promote human rights in the online environments is more topical in the 2020s than ever before.The theme of the 10th anniversary conference is “Openness, accessibility and inclusion – Human Rights Online in the 2020s”. The programme will include panel discussions focusing on such topics as access to the internet and digital inclusion, the development of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and challenges posed by authoritarian regimes.Registration for the conferenceJanette Sorsimo-Kimmo, Unit for Human Rights Policy, Ministry for Foreign Affairs,janette.sorsimo-kimmo(at)formin.fi
NordenBladet — The purpose of Finland’s guarantee scheme was to support the availability of SME financing by providing banks with guarantees for business loans. According to an evaluation commissioned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, the guarantee scheme achieved its economic policy objectives well. The scheme provided a tenfold leverage effect on public funding. By granting additional guarantees on business loans, the Finnish guarantee scheme made it easier for small growth companies to obtain financing. Guarantees focused on companies that are new, innovative, experiencing strong growth or in the process of internationalising.“I am very pleased with the results of the guarantee scheme evaluation. The programme has succeeded both in improving the financial position of companies and in expanding the supply of services in the financial markets. Finland, the European Investment Bank Group and the European Commission have cooperated to share the risk, which has resulted in a tenfold leverage effect on public funding. This, if anything, is effective cooperation,” says Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä. “I am very pleased to see the positive impact of a multiannual effort by the European Commission, the Government of Finland, the EIF and the EIB in support of fast growing and innovative local small businesses. The results from the evaluation study provide a clear evidence that SME Initiative Finland achieved its objectives in increasing access to finance for Finnish SMEs by providing preferential borrowing conditions which would have not been available without the instrument. The European Investment Fund is looking forward to continue its successful cooperation with the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment”, says Alain Godard, EIF Chief Executive.The financing reserved for the guarantee scheme in the years 2016–2020 totalled EUR 40 million. Of this, EUR 20 million was funded from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and EUR 20 million from national funds. The European Investment Fund, which is part of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group, was responsible for the implementation of the guarantee programme. Five banks acted as intermediaries for the loans: OP Bank, Nordea, Aktia, Oma Savings Bank and Savings Banks Group.Significant amount of support directed to start-upsBy the end of 2020, loans from the guarantee scheme were granted to more than 700 companies. The overall amount of loans granted was about EUR 400 million. Most loans were granted to companies in the industry and trade sectors.The evaluation shows that the guarantee scheme provided funding to start-ups and young companies to a significant degree. Almost one in three guarantees were granted to companies that were less than one year old at the time of the granting and more than half of the guarantees went to companies less than five years old. The scheme’s objective was to allocate funding to growing companies and, according to the evaluation, this objective was met. On average, the turnover of companies that received funding under the scheme grew much more than the turnover of other SMEs.Guarantee scheme increased number of SMEs obtaining bank financingAccording to the evaluation, the guarantee scheme succeeded in improving the availability of financing for SMEs. It increased the number of SMEs obtaining bank financing.A large part of the guarantees were granted to micro-sized enterprises, start-ups and companies involved in corporate acquisitions or undergoing generational change. The scheme was successfully used in situations where a lack of guarantee typically hampered access to bank financing.The majority of the companies interviewed believed that they would not have received any bank financing without the guarantee offered by the scheme. On the other hand, a large number of companies believed that the funding could have been arranged from other sources. Without the scheme, projects and investments would have been slower and smaller in size, however. The evaluation also examined the scheme’s wider impact on the financial markets and the business sector. The guarantee scheme has expanded the SME loan market, especially for start-ups, and diversified the provision of loan financing to SMEs. The scheme has also helped to expand funding opportunities as banks have utilised EIB’s new financing services. Involving banks and introducing the scheme in bank branches key to successBanks widely introduced the scheme within the framework permitted and the allocation of guarantees was driven in particular by banks’ strategies and focus on certain customer segments or geographic areas. According to the evaluation, it was important for the coverage of the SME market that several banks acted as intermediaries in the scheme and that it was introduced widely in the banks’ branches. Despite the extensive use of the scheme by banks, some companies may have been excluded from the scheme, as banks geared it towards their preferred markets. The report states that using the guarantee scheme was easy for companies, because banks were responsible for the administrative work.The evaluation was carried out by 4FRONT Oy.
The Government appointed Counsellor for Foreign Affairs Piritta Asunmaa, Director General of the Department for the Americas and Asia in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, to serve as Director General of the Political Department for a fixed term from 29 November 2021 to 31 August 2025. She has served in her current position since 2019.