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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

Integration client information system ICDS has been launched
28.1.2025 | News item
The integration client information system ICDS was put into operation on 27 January 2025. Around 40 municipalities are participating in the system during the first phase. Municipalities will be obligated to use the system on 1 January 2027 following a transition period.  
Reform to increase overall responsibility of municipalities for integration
18.12.2024 | News item
The comprehensive reform of the Integration Act (KOTO24) aims to speed up the integration and employment of immigrants and to strengthen their knowledge of Finnish society. The reform is related to the T24 reform where employment and economic development services are transferred from the central government to municipalities.
Changes to professional communications on integration during 2025
18.12.2024 | News item
Communications, in particular those on social media, aimed at integration professionals and others involved in the sector will be centralised at the turn of the year. In future, you can follow official communications on integration at kotoutuminen.fi, KEHA Centre’s Tuutti service and on Instagram and LinkedIn. 
KEHA Centre to offer work and skills support to professionals from 1 January 2025
16.12.2024 | News item
KEHA Centre will be responsible for the national work and skills support of professionals involved in integration and refugee reception starting at the beginning of 2025. The task will be transferred to the KEHA Centre from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment.
Failure to attend or cancel an integration services appointment involving an interpreter may result in a fee from 1 January 2025
11.12.2024 | News item
Interpretation may be arranged for integration services appointments of the municipality and the employment authority if the customer is unable to communicate in Finnish, Swedish or another language understood by the official. If the customer fails to attend a scheduled meeting and has not cancelled it, a fee could be charged for the interpretation services. A fee may be charged only if there is no acceptable reason for not attending or cancelling the appointment. 
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