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Information for those who work as an official in municipalities and employment areas

Immigrants encounter many authorities on their integration path. Authorities can promote the smooth implementation of the integration process by cooperating across different administrative sectors and fields.
 

Two women at the table

People hold hands together in a circle.
Integration programme An integration programme is a service package for the early stages of integration organised by municipalities.
Railway station.
The state reimburses the costs of refugee reception and the promotion of integration Municipalities, wellbeing services counties, and the health and medical care authority of the Åland Islands are entitled to state compensation for providing integration-promoting services in accordance with the Integration Act.
Koto-digi
The Integration Customer Data System The Integration Customer Data System (ICDS) is a national client information system that helps municipalities manage integration services and use data to guide integration work.
The gavel is on the table.
Legislation Several acts guide integration. Remember to also acknowledge service-specific legislation.
People walk in different directions.
Actors and their tasks Multi-sectoral cooperation in promoting integration makes the work more effective. There are local, regional and national operators who promote integration.
Hands are together on the table.
Reception of refugees Assigning municipalities of residence and planning services are key activities of municipalities when receiving refugees.

New for authorities

The reference architecture for promoting integration has been updated
26.3.2026 | News item
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.
InfoFinland.fi is being renewed – the KEHA Centre maintains nationwide multilingual content
14.1.2026 | News item
The appearance and functionality of InfoFinland are being updated. For users, the change will be visible as a new look for the pages. At the same time, the maintenance of InfoFinland.fi's nationwide multilingual official content will be transferred from the City of Helsinki to the KEHA Centre.
Apply to join the programme planning group for the Integration 2026 event 
10.12.2025 | News item
The planning for the Integration 2026 event has begun. We are now opening applications for the event's programme planning group. The planning group will compile the programme based on programme proposals and ideas. Integration 2026 will be held on October 28–29, 2026 at the Clarion Hotel Helsinki Airport Congress Center in Vantaa.
The government aims to lift municipalities' obligations to promote integration
3.9.2025 | News item
According to the 2026 budget proposal, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's government aims to remove municipalities' legislative obligations in tasks that promote integration. The budget proposal also presents other measures to promote integration.
KEHA Centre publishes instructions on cost reimbursements under the Integration Act 
5.3.2025 | News item
The Development and Administrative Services Centre (KEHA Centre) has published new instructions on the reimbursement of costs under the Act on the Promotion of Immigrant Integration (681/2023) to municipalities, wellbeing services counties and Åland’s public healthcare services (Ålands hälso- och sjukvård, ÅSH). The instructions are available on the kotoutuminen.fi website.
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