BEDA Logo
1 2 3 4 Cultural and Creative Industries Strategies Industrial and Competitiveness Policies Research, Development and Innovation Strategies Circular Economy and Ecodesign Policies Digitalisation Strategies Built Environment and Architectural Policy
1
Overlooked
2
Mentioned
3
Integrated
4
Championed
Go Back

Country Profile: Finland

  • Country Size: 336,884 km²
  • Citizens: 5,603,851 (2024) | Tendency: falling
  • GDP per capita: 53,188.6 $ (2024) | Tendency: rising
  • EU Innovation Scoreboard: Innovation Leader (2025) | 141.1%
  • BEDA Member Organisation: Ornamo Art and Design Finland

Dedicated design policy status

No explicit national design policy adopted since Design Finland Programme (2012), prepared by Ministries of Employment, Economy, and Education & Culture, in collaboration with stakeholders.

Design in other policy agendas

  • CCI Strategy – Cultural Policy Report (2025) references design as part of the creative economy, highlighting competences in service design, customer insight, UX/UI, and business development opportunities. [Integrated]
  • Circular Economy – Strategic Programme for a Circular Economy includes references to circular and eco-design. [Integrated]
  • Architecture Strategy – National Architectural Policy Programme (apoli) 2022–2035 integrates design in the built environment, emphasising “Design for All,” education, cultural development and internationalisation.
  • Innovation, industrial/development, digital strategies – No strategies or references to design were identified.

Observations

Finland lacks a current dedicated design policy but retains a strong legacy through the Design Finland Programme (2012). Design now appears mainly within cultural and architectural frameworks, as well as circular economy policy. The apoli programme, with its emphasis on “Design for All” and education, represents a significant contemporary reference point.

Sources

  • Design Finland Programme, o. J.
  • The Cultural Policy Report, o. J.
Cookie Policy Privacy Statement