Ministry of Education and Culture

Building of the Ministry of Education and Culture. The Ministry of Education and Culture is one of the twelve ministries that together with the ministers heading them form the Finnish Government. The Ministry of Education and Culture participates in the work of the Government by planning, outlining and implementing its policies.

The Ministry prepares acts, decrees and decisions, and it is also responsible for the preparation of matters related to the use of budget funds. The Ministry is responsible for ensuring that the political decision-makers have all the necessary information at their disposal when making decisions.

The Ministry also guides the activities within its administrative branch, represents Finland in various EU bodies and participates in international cooperation.

The appropriations for the administrative branch of the Ministry of Education and Culture are approximately EUR 8 billion in 2024.

What is the Ministry of Education and Culture responsible for?

According to the Government Rules of Procedure, the mandate of the Ministry of Education and Culture covers:

  • daycare, education, training and research,
  • arts, culture, sports and youth work, 
  • the archival, museum and public library systems,
  • the Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Orthodox Church and other religious communities,
  • student financial aid, and
  • copyright.