Centres of excellence on social welfare

The centres of excellence on social welfare bring together wellbeing services counties, research institutes, educational establishments, organisations and other bodies in their area to promote cooperation. There are a total of 11 centres of excellence on social welfare, and their areas of operation cover all wellbeing services counties. One of the centres is Swedish-speaking.

The centres of excellence are paid a discretionary government grant, which is determined on the basis of the population and surface area covered by each centre’s operating area.

The tasks of the centres of excellence on social welfare include (Act on Centres of Excellence on Social Welfare 1230/2001):

  • developing and sharing competence and expertise in the social welfare sector
  • developing basic public services as well as special and expert services that require special expertise
  • maintaining cooperation for the purpose of producing special and expert services at the regional level.

The Advisory Board on Centres of Excellence on Social Welfare operates in connection with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, and its tasks include coordinating the national policy guidelines for the activities of the centres of excellence and the activities themselves. 

More information on the websites of the centres of excellence 

Further information

Juha Luomala, Senior Ministerial Adviser, Social Affairs 
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Department for Clients and Services in Healthcare and Social Welfare / APO, Clients and Personnel Unit / ASI Telephone:0295163492   Email Address: