Comprehensive reform of Integration Act: Municipalities will have a larger role in promoting integration and coordination of services will improve
The comprehensive reform of the Integration Act, which will enter into force in 2025, will increase the municipal responsibility for promoting integration and clarify the authorities’ responsibilities and cooperation related to the promotion of integration. It seeks to improve integration and strengthen the inclusion of immigrants in society.
In future, services promoting integration will be organised as part of a new municipal integration programme and services provided by municipalities, wellbeing services counties and the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela) as well as activities of organisations, associations or communities. Cooperation between the authorities plays a key role. Providing different services and integrating them will become easier as municipalities will be responsible both for services related to promotion of integration and employment and skills development.
The comprehensive reform of the Act on the Promotion of Immigrant Integration (Integration Act) supports the integration and employment of immigrants by developing early-stage integration services. It also seeks to promote equality, wellbeing and good relations between population groups. The reform will enter into force on 1 January 2025.
The President of the Republic is expected to approve the bill on Friday, 14 April 2023.
As part of the TE services reform 2024 and the reform of the Integration Act, employment authorities and municipalities will receive instructions and guidelines to help them implement the new Act.
Read more:
The press release of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment April 14 2023: Comprehensive reform of Integration Act will speed up integration and employment of immigrants