Joint development and events
The development of public leadership relies on the understanding that the central government has a wide range of tasks. Joint development is based on the premise that a wide range of management tasks are supported by a variety of means that take into account the different needs of different units. On the other hand, sufficiently uniform foundations and practices for management work and the development of management work are important. This promotes good management throughout public administration. This requires joint development measures, including joint management training. It makes sense to work together on shared issues from the perspective of both economic efficiency and the benefits of training.
The Ministry of Finance supports the networking and preparation of senior management in central government. The Ministry organises joint events and specific small group activities for the most senior public officials and, together with HAUS, provides appropriate training programmes for central government leadership at different points in their careers.
Cooperation between central government and Finland’s municipalities, wellbeing services counties and other public organisations is particularly important in the development of public service leadership. Managers in other sectors have participated in, for example, the Uudistuja programme organised by the Ministry and in public service leadership events.
The Ministry’s tasks also include extensive cooperation with various development organisations and research institutes both nationally and internationally.
Networks and small groups for managers in central government
The Ministry of Finance organises meetings for the most senior public officials in the ministries and government agencies. The purpose of these meetings is to increase interaction between managers and foster discussions on both current issues and issues related to long-term development. External experts and representatives of political leadership have also participated in these events. The Ministry also invites senior management to short morning coffee meetings a few times a year, as deemed necessary. The Ministry provides more wide-ranging support and networking opportunities for public sector leaders. For example, the annual Julkisen johtamisen päivä (Public Management Day) event brings together central government, municipal, county and other public service leaders.
Small groups have been organised for the most senior public officials in central government. The aim is to support the most senior public officials in their management tasks and provide them opportunities to get to know each other and exchange experiences. These small groups have been active since 2013. There were four groups active in 2022–2024 with a total of 55 managers taking part. The groups will reconvene for two-year periods.
Based on past experiences, the following principles have been found to be good for small group activities:
- The groups are informal peer support groups without a preset agenda.
- The groups agree on their own practices and themes for discussions.
- Existing groups should continue meeting and, if necessary, new members added to them.
- New groups of eight to ten people will be established as necessary.
- The goal is that the members of the groups should diversely represent different areas of responsibility in central government.
- The Ministry of Finance takes part in the activities of the groups and, thus, promotes a dialogue between senior management in central government and the Ministry, bringing up topical themes.
- If necessary, the Ministry's experts also support the activities of the groups in other ways.
- People who have completed various training programmes have also formed alumni groups.
Government HR Management Forum
The Government HR Management Forum was set up to strengthen cooperation and networking in human resources management and to share good practices across central government. The Forum's membership consists of the directors and heads of HR and personnel development in the ministries and agencies. The forum meets regularly and promotes joint HR development projects. A key focus area for the forum is the implementation of the central government’s joint human resources strategy and the monitoring of the strategy's implementation. The forum has a chairperson, and its preparatory secretariat consists of experts from the Public Governance Department of the Ministry of Finance.
Contact information
Juha Madetoja
Head of Unit
Tel. +358 295 530572
firstname.lastname(a)gov.fi
Projects and working groups
Public Service Leadership Group
Public Service Leadership cooperation group
Leadership for the common good – a development project for central government management
Contact information
Ari Holopainen
Senior Ministerial Adviser, Financial Affairs
Tel. +358 295 530 520
firstname.lastname@gov.fi
Markus Siltanen
Senior Ministerial Adviser, Financial Affairs
Tel. +358 295 530 263
firstname.lastname@gov.fi