National democracy day
The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Justice, the Association of Finnish local and Regional authorities, the wellbeing services county company Hyvil and the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra will jointly organise a national democracy day. The democracy day, open to all, brings together actors interested in promoting democracy and strengthening inclusion to discuss an annually changing theme, such as trust and civic activity. Read more on the Association of Finnish Cities and Municipalities event website (in Finnish).
Democracy recognition
The Ministry of Finance grants the democracy recognition to a public sector body or actor that has done significant work to promote and strengthen democracy. The recognition of democracy has been granted every two years since 2013.
The next democracy recognition will be awarded in 2027.
Democracy confessions granted
The theme of the prize in 2025 was utilising dialogues and strengthening a constructive discussion culture. Recognition was given to the citizens’ Panel in Jyväskylä and the Swedish-speaking disability services in Southwest Finland.
Read more (in Finnish)
The theme of the prize in 2023 was promoting the hearing of the quieter voices of society. The City of Kuopio and Lahti’s Skiddialogi received the award.
Read more (in Finnish)
The theme of the 2021 award was the forms of cooperation between the public administration and non-governmental organisations developed during the coronavirus crisis. The Culture and recreation Division of the City of Helsinki received recognition for its Helsinki-apu activities and the multilingual and multisource coronavirus communications action group of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
Read more (in Finnish)
The theme of the 2019 award was the promotion of inclusion. Recognition was given to the municipal strategies for preventing homelessness (AKU) project and the stabilisation activities of the City of Helsinki.
Read more (in Finnish)
The theme of the 2017 award was partnership. The Regional Development Group of the Espoo Centre and the Criminal Sanctions Agency received the recognition.
Read more (in Finnish)
The theme of the award in 2015 was the promotion of open government and participation. The prize was awarded to the municipality of Tyrnävä and the Gender Equality information Service of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) Minna.
Read more (in Finnish)
The theme of the 2013 award was clear language. Acknowledgement was given to Matti Virpiaro, Senior Officer for Rescue services at the Regional State Administrative Agency for Southern Finland, and Pekka Sauri, Deputy Mayor of Helsinki, for his clear and understandable communications and work to promote open government and civic participation.
Read more (in Finnish)