Partners in Finland's development policy

In order to achieve its development policy goals, Finland works together with many different partners. These include states, organisations and companies.

Support Syrians 2017: Light art at Merikasarmi, Helsinki.
Support Syrians 2017: Light art at Merikasarmi, Helsinki. Photo: Vesa Häkkinen / UM

Finland conducts bilateral development cooperation activities to support many countries. Nearly all of the partner countries belong to the least developed countries (LDCs) of the world.  In regional cooperation activities, programmes are designed for a larger area instead of individual countries.

Finland is involved in the activities of many international organisations that promote the achievement of Finland's development policy goals. Through multilateral cooperation as part of the UN System Organisations or the EU, Finland's goals gain wider international weight.

Finland implements its development policy priorities in collaboration with other partners, too. Finland has supported civil society actors both in Finland and abroad for a long time. Municipalities, educational institutions and researchers are also important partners in development policy. In recent years, the private sector, companies, and development policy investments have gained a higher profile.