Capacity development workshop on Protecting Elections in Finland

Finland has a longstanding reputation for transparent and fair elections, organized by the Ministry of Justice and regional/local authorities, with significant support from other state agencies. Therefore, International IDEA perceives a partnership with the Ministry of Justice as critical in testing and piloting resources developed in the Protecting Elections Project.

During the three-day event, participants—including representatives from the Ministry of Justice, local and regional authorities, and relevant government agencies—engaged in in-depth discussions and collaborative activities related to protecting electoral integrity. The main focus was strengthening knowledge and skills in electoral risk management, resilience-building and crisis management practices. The method included expert presentations, hands-on group work, and scenario-based exercises to help participants apply the protecting elections framework in real-world contexts. The workshop also fostered valuable opportunities for participants to build relationships, strengthen formal and informal networks, and raise awareness of gender sensitivities in protecting elections.

Capacity development is part of International IDEA’s broader commitment to support electoral stakeholders worldwide. Looking ahead, International IDEA and the Ministry of Justice will organize a multi-stakeholder meeting focusing on a Finland-specific challenge. At the end of the Project, partners will engage in the lessons-learning effort to ensure that the resources delivered – including a guide, self-assessment tool, training curriculum and resources’ toolkit – build on these practices. For more information visit our project page Protecting Elections.