Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

Finland’s Development Policy

Development policy is a key element of a coherent and comprehensive foreign and security policy. Poverty reduction and the achievement of the UN millennium development goals (MDGs), placing an emphasis on partner countries’ needs and ownership, are the first priorities of the development policy.

In its own development cooperation, Finland emphasises the rule of law, democracy, human rights and sustainable development. The special priorities are education, decent work, reducing youth unemployment and improving the status of women and children.

In these activities, Finland builds on its strengths in the educational sector, health promotion, communications and environmental technology, and good governance.

The effectiveness and impact of development cooperation will be strengthened. Efforts will be made to enhance Finland’s involvement in and contribution to multilateral cooperation. In its development policy, Finland emphasises coherence as well as, quality and effectiveness of aid.

Assistance provided by Finland will be less fragmented and coordination with other donor countries and organisations will be increased. Finland supports greater coherence and effectiveness in the European Union’s development policy.

Finland aims to ensure stable development of appropriations, leading to the target level 0.7% share of GDP and meeting Finland’s international commitments.

The Government will prepare a development policy action plan and issue a report on the effectiveness and consistency of development policy.