What does Finland think about work-based immigration? Thousands invited to take part in a wide-ranging public discussion

For the first time in Finland, citizens' views on a socially challenging and divisive topic are being explored using several different methods of participation.

The initiative launched by Sitra and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment aims to involve thousands of people in citizen dialogues on work-based immigration, a low-threshold online discussion and a deliberative citizens' assembly that will examine the topic in depth.

The discussions began in May and will continue until February 2027. The resulting insights will then be compiled and published ahead of the parliamentary elections. The resulting knowledge base will give political decision-makers and public officials a stronger foundation for preparing and making decisions on work-based immigration.

Broad citizen participation has been used successfully to address complex societal issues in a number of countries, including Ireland and France.

"Broad citizen participation can also help Finland find solutions to divisive, socially significant issues. At the same time, it is important to strengthen people's opportunities to take part in and influence decision-making in Finland. This builds trust and strengthens the knowledge base for decision-making," says Hannu-Pekka Ikäheimo, Programme Director, Democratic Innovations, Sitra.

Work-based immigration was chosen as the topic because it is closely linked to Finland's economic growth, demographic development, skills base and societal trust. Sitra's task is to identify and anticipate societal challenges, develop solutions to them and put those solutions into broad use for the benefit of society.

Online discussion in full swing on the Voxit platform 

Views on work-based immigration among people living in Finland are currently being gathered through an online discussion on a platform called Voxit. Designed to enable constructive discussion among large groups of people, the platform is quick and easy to use, including on a mobile phone.

All people living in Finland can use the platform to vote on statements about work-based immigration by agreeing, disagreeing or skipping a statement. Participants can also propose their own statements for discussion. Participation is anonymous and the discussion takes place in three languages: Finnish, Swedish and English. Participants cannot comment on statements submitted by others.

The aim is to attract up to 10,000 participants to the Voxit discussion. In the first week alone, over 3,200 people living in Finland took part, and almost 145,000 votes have been cast.

By analysing the votes cast in the discussion, it is possible to identify where there is broad consensus among people living in Finland on work-based immigration and where opinions diverge.

"The discussion on the platform is lively. Participants have been particularly engaged by questions relating to changes in working life, culture and language, as well as the principles, permit processes and regulation of work-based immigration. Growing divisions in society and the labour market also seem to be sparking discussion," says Elli Saari, Senior Expert at Motiva, the state-owned company responsible for the practical implementation of the discussion.

The discussion on the Voxit platform continues until 20 September 2026.

Citizens' assembly to explore the topic in depth

In November, the wide-ranging public discussion will culminate in a deliberative citizens' assembly. The assembly will examine work-based immigration in depth through facilitated discussions in which participants will weigh up different perspectives. At the end of the process, the citizens' assembly will produce a considered and reasoned statement, along with concrete proposals for decision-makers.

Participants invited to the citizens' assembly will be selected by random sampling. Invitation letters will be sent in early September to 20,000 people living in Finland. From this group, 100 participants will be selected for the citizens' assembly so that they represent the population as broadly as possible.

The citizens' assembly now being convened is the largest ever held in Finland to produce recommendations for decision-makers. 

The citizens' assembly is organised by the University of Turku's Research group for innovating democracy. Researchers from the University of Turku are also responsible for assessing the impact of the months-long citizen participation process as a whole. The final evaluation of the entire project is due to be published by September 2027. The views gathered from citizens will be put to use by various public administration organisations while the process is still under way.

Contact:

Hannu-Pekka Ikäheimo, Programme Director, Democratic Innovations, Sitra hannu-pekka.ikaheimo@sitra.fi, tel. +358 294 618 253
 
Elli Saari, Senior Expert, Motiva
elli.saari@motiva.fi, tel. +358(0) 961 225 011

Antti Koistinen, Senior Lead, Sitra communications (requests for interviews) 
antti.koistinen@sitra.fi, tel. +358 294 618 384