The reference architecture for promoting integration has been updated

The KEHA Centre has published an updated version of the reference architecture for promoting integration at the municipal level. The update was necessary as the operating environment of integration has changed significantly due to the entry into force of the new Integration Act on 1 January 2025, the establishment of the employment areas and wellbeing services counties, and the related legislative amendments.

The new version of the reference architecture especially improves and expands the descriptions of three key areas: allocation to a municipality, preparation for reception into a municipality, and reception and outreach. The clarification and coordination of these processes support a customer-oriented and smooth service path in the new operating environment.

The reference architecture describes the architecture’s principles, the operation architecture, the information architecture and the application architecture. The principles section of the architecture describes the relevant laws, strategies, principles, limitations and boundary conditions.

The reference architecture can be used by a wide range of actors

The reference architecture for promoting integration at the municipal level is primarily intended for authorities and employees in different sectors who promote integration in municipalities; it provides a foundation for their work and helps them perceive, develop and manage the promotion of integration and the related information management. The reference architecture can also be used by other authorities and actors, such as Economic Development Centres, the Finnish Supervisory Agency, the KEHA Centre, wellbeing services counties, as well as companies, communities, and organisations that organise or participate in relevant operations.

Municipalities are required to use the integration client information system from 1 January 2027 onwards

The municipal responsibilities and tasks related to promotion of integration were expanded and specified on 1 January 2025 when the new Act on the Promotion of Integration (681/2023, hereafter the new Integration Act) entered into force. The Integration Act was reformed with the aim of improving the integration of immigrants by extensively developing early-stage integration services and the addressing of immigrants’ needs as part of other key areas of society, especially the promotion of employment, education, well-being and health, and inclusion. The new Integration Act also contains provisions on the national integration data system services that were made available to municipalities in 2025. From 1 January 2027 onwards, municipalities are required to use the national integration client information system (ICDS).

The reference architecture is now available in Finnish. A version in Swedish will become available in the near future.

Further information:

Kuntien kotoutumisen edistämisen viitearkkitehtuuri (PDF)
Reference architecture
Antti Kanniainen, [email protected], tel. 0295 029 026