Finland seeks to help the youth recover from the effects of COVID

The government has proposed to invest EUR 111 million in education, wellbeing, and employment

Over the past year, children and young adults have faced numerous challenges. The outbreak of the pandemic gave them no other choice but to study remotely, away from their friends and the support of their teachers. What is more, the lack of socialisation resulted in poor mental health and loneliness.

Acknowledging the damage that has been caused by COVID, the Finnish government proposed to invest EUR 111 million to help children and young adults recover from the effects of the pandemic. The investment will be distributed across three fields: education, wellbeing, and employment.

Education

EUR 65 million will be put towards bridging the learning gap that has been caused in all levels of education. A long period of remote teaching has negatively impacted many students who feel like they do not receive the support they need. As such, the 65-million-euro investment will ensure that every student has access to the assistance they require.

In a press release on the government’s website, the Minister of Education Jussi Saramo commented: “Coronavirus has damaged the learning opportunities and welfare of children and young adults in a tangible and measurable way.

We will do everything in our power to ensure that the crisis does not cast a lasting shadow over the lives of children and young adults in Finland. This is how a welfare state functions. Rectifying the learning deficit is not only essential, but also a profitable investment.”

Wellbeing

Unsurprisingly, lockdowns have severely impacted the wellbeing of children and young adults who are used to socialising on a daily basis at school and university. According to the government, the past year has resulted in high levels of stress, loneliness, and mental health problems. Moreover, substance abuse has also risen since the outbreak of the pandemic.

To make sure that the consequences of COVID do not become permanent, Finland proposes to invest EUR 23 million to improve access to substance abuse services, EUR 16 million to improve mental health services, and EUR 3 million for preventative policing.

Minister of the Interior Maria Ohisalo noted that these investments are crucial: “Particularly children and young adults who are already in difficult circumstances have had to bear a heavy burden due to the consequences of coronavirus restrictions. Preventing maladjustment of young adults is a very important aspect of police work.”

Employment

Youth unemployment has risen significantly over the past year as most businesses were forced to shut or reduce their number of employees. Therefore, the government seeks to set aside EUR 13 million for 2021-2024 in order to improve employment levels. Taking this further, it wants to strengthen the services of the Ohjaamo One-Stop Guidance Centres which help young adults overcome challenges related to employment, education, and health.