What is most important to us Finns in the EU?
The EU future leadership training course influences the direction of the European Union and Finland – today.

What’s it about?

Finland has been a member of the European Union for nearly three decades. During that time the EU has changed significantly: the number of members has grown and its powers have increased. The operating environment is also undergoing changes. Especially recent societal upheaval – such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the energy crisis – have presented entirely new challenges for the EU.

As EU membership has an impact on both Finland’s domestic and foreign policies, it is important for us to exercise active and timely influence on decisions taken in the EU.

Leadership training for the future EU provides participants with opportunities to gain deeper insight into Europe’s future challenges and changes in the operating environment. The overarching theme of the training is that Finland’s sustainable future is dependent on the EU’s capacity to function.

The question of how the European Union will manage to solve its current and future challenges and seize opportunities will also have an impact on Finland.

What do we do?

The objective of the training is to enhance the preparedness of Finnish decision-makers and influencers to together take on the challenges and opportunities associated with the European Union’s future leadership. The training offers current and reliable information to support the participants’ creative and independent thinking.

The training will be built around a practical exercise. The exercise allows the participant to also actively create and edit information and reflect on the functionality of current EU processes and related development opportunities.

The group is always pluralistic and represents various sectors in society. It will include members of parliament, government officers and representatives of advocacy organisations, businesses, media and non-governmental organisations.

Best practices and operating models from Sitra’s highly regarded economic policy leadership courses will be applied in the training.

What do the participants get out of participating?

The course will increase the participants’ understanding of

The playing field of the European Union

EU leadership and decision-making practices and development needs
The EU’s role as a global operator

The course will provide the participants with

reliable and up-to-date information from leading experts
the latest information about EU leadership practices and development needs
opportunities for open and multi-perspective discussion about the EU

How can I get involved?

Admission is invitation-based. A group of approximately 25 Finnish decision-makers and influencers from various sectors of society will be selected to attend.

You can register your interest to participate in the training or suggest someone else as a participant using this form.

Where are we now?

The pilot course was completed in October 2023. The next course will start in October 2024. Two courses will be offered each year (spring and autumn).

Upon graduation, the course participants will become Sitra training alumni and gain the right to participate in alumni events, for example.