New policy brief examines Finland’s critical societal functions

The policy brief Critical Societal Functions in Finland: Current State and Future Trends by VTT and Hanken School of Economics is conducted on behalf of the Prime Minister’s Office. The policy brief summarises the key findings of the Finnish-language report Suomen yhteiskunnan kriittiset toiminnot ja tulevaisuuden trendit for an international audience.

The research groups the critical societal functions into eight categories that represent fundamental societal needs, ranging from food and water to democracy and equity. The brief also points to energy and digital operations as essential enablers of all critical societal functions, warning that their growing interdependence and energy volatility create new vulnerabilities.

In addition, the policy brief cautions that societal trust and young people’s confidence in the future are declining. According to the authors, improving the quality of information available to citizens is one of the most effective ways to counter this trend. The brief further stresses that the natural environment forms the foundation of all critical societal functions and argues that its importance will become even more significant in the years ahead.

Learn more:
Study: Digital capabilities, energy and trust key to Finland’s future