e-GOVERNMENT IN FINLAND - ePractice.eu

x The central administration does not act alone: local and regional governments are the
most important deliverers of services and therefore key partners.
x The Ministries of Finance and Interior play a key role in e-government co-ordination.
Legislative changes in January 2003 have given the MoF full responsibility for coordination
within the central administration.
16. The Ministry of Justice sets the regulatory framework for e-government. It was instrumental in
developing the 2000 Act on Electronic Service in the Administration which makes it possible to initiate,
handle and serve notice on administrative issues electronically.
17. Independent agencies under parliamentary authority constitute an important exception to the
central government’s co-ordination responsibilities. The most important is KELA, the Finnish Social
Insurance Institution, which has over 450 offices around the country and is responsible for administering
20 benefits worth about EUR 10 billion annually. Although six ministries are involved in administering
these benefits, KELA acts independently, subject only to parliamentary oversight. It is steered by a board
of directors of 12 people chosen by the parliament.
18. Several permanent interagency groups in MoF and MoI act as IT co-ordinating and advising
bodies across government. They draw their members from ministries, parliament, agencies and external
experts. The most important are:
x VATI: the Council of IT directors created in June 2002 as a result of a multiphase process in
1996 involving representatives of major agencies and the enhancement of the role of
ministries in 1999.
x VALTIPA: the government network of information service professionals created in 1996.
x VAHTI: the government’s IT security board created in the late 1980s.
x JUHTA (The Advisory Committee on Information Management in the Administration): an
advisory committee for IT in the public administration created in 1989.
Key Points - 2
x A number of formal and informal networks ensure the flow of information about IT
initiatives and guidance among e-government officials in the ministries and agencies.
x Independent agencies under parliamentary authority are not subject to the central
administration’s oversight. Some, in particular, the Social Security Agency, are major
providers of electronic services.
19. In addition, the Information Society Advisory Board (ISAB) was convened in 1996 and 1999 to
help the Finnish government formulate and evaluate information society policies. It is chaired by a cabinet
minister and its members are permanent secretaries and other high-level civil servants from state and
municipal administrations as well as IT industry leaders, representatives from civil society and social
partners.
20. Public administration reform and the government budget are two other areas with important
implications for the implementation of e-government. Both fall under the responsibility of the Ministry of
Finance and their bearing on e-government co-ordination is treated later in the report. However, a brief
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