EU and Finnish child strategies are reflected in ESF+ funding – study highlights differences in emphasis  

A recent document analysis shows that European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) funding in Finland largely follows EU- and national-level strategies related to children’s rights. However, at the national level, Finland has also selected its own priorities for implementation. These choices may result in some of the EU’s common objectives receiving less attention in national implementation.    

The study compared the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child, the European Child Guarantee, Finland’s National Child Strategy, and the Innovation and Skills in Finland 2021–2027 programme, both with each other and in relation to three ESF+ funding calls under Specific Objective 4.3. The funding calls examined focused on the theme  Development of services for children, young people and families and promotion of well-being towards equality, with a total of EUR 9.3 million allocated through this theme. 

National priorities and gaps in EU objectives

Compared with EU-level guidelines, the Innovation and Skills in Finland 2021–2027 programme for regional and structural policy places slightly different emphases, such as supporting family-friendliness in education and working life and strengthening the child perspective in leisure activities. In contrast, EU-level objectives like child-friendly justice and enhancing digital competence in family services are not reflected in the funding calls. Researchers stress that funding guidelines are not direct copies of strategies and suggest that these differences stem from national development needs and demographic factors. 

The study was conducted as part of the Coordinating the Participation and Inclusion of Children, Young People and Families. Its findings can be used to plan support and coordination related to ESF+ funding, as well as project support for ongoing national and regional ESF+ projects.