Joint strategy for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health’s branch of government
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health updated its strategy in early 2026 to respond to changes in the operating environment. The strategy was updated in cooperation with the agencies and public bodies in the Ministry’s branch of government.
Vision
Our vision is a sustainable and safe welfare society where everyone can have faith in the future.
Mission
Our mission is to build wellbeing together. We support people’s health, functioning and livelihoods through timely and sufficient services and benefits.
Values
Our activities are based on justice, courage and trust.
Justice: we operate in an equitable manner, respecting the equality of all people.
Courage: we have the courage to embrace change and address difficult issues based on our expertise and research-based knowledge.
Trust: we take a transparent, inclusive and cooperative approach to promoting a cohesive and safe society.
Means of exerting influence
Our means of exerting influence:
Cooperation: We cooperate across sectors in a solution-oriented manner.
Guidance: We strengthen the effectiveness and performance of our activities through interactive guidance.
Legislation: We prepare legislation that meets high standards and anticipates changes in society.
Communications: We communicate actively and effectively.
Operating principles
Principles guiding our activities:
We promote non-discrimination and gender equality.
We take social, economic and ecological sustainability into account in all of our activities.
We make decisions based on reliable information.
Technology and data support proactive innovation activities.
We are active and proactive in exerting influence in the EU and globally.
Impact objectives
Our impact objectives are closely linked to operational and financial planning and monitoring in the Government and the Ministry’s branch of government. The impact objectives guide the government branch in preparing for the next government term.
The impact objectives will be included in the Ministry’s operating action plan and in the performance agreements of the agencies and public bodies in the Ministry’s branch of government from the beginning of 2028.
Our impact objectives are:
We strengthen social cohesion among the population and reduce inequality.
We safeguard livelihoods and health and social services in a timely, effective and sustainable manner.
We promote people’s ability to work and function and their participation in working life.
We strengthen the resilience and comprehensive security of society.
Strategy is based on the economy of wellbeing approach
The economy of wellbeing is a decision-making approach aimed at ensuring the sustainable wellbeing of both current and future generations.
Wellbeing economy governance creates opportunities to enhance the wellbeing of people and the environment and to promote a sustainable economy at the same time. The economy of wellbeing is an approach that underlines the mutually reinforcing nature of wellbeing policy and economic policy.
The approach is based on a stable economic policy. Effective wellbeing policy measures boost employment, sustainable economic growth and intergenerational wellbeing.
The effectiveness of these measures requires both cross-administrative cooperation and long-term planning based on common goals. It also requires that the interplay between the economy and wellbeing be better taken into account in decision-making.
In practice, the economy of wellbeing approach is realised as part of national, regional and local knowledge-based decision-making, as part of civil society and in the private sector.
