The Migration Institute of Finland is the only institute in Finland specialising in both the research and documentation of migration flows. Our special task involves documenting the life of Finns living abroad and promoting awareness related to it. We are a national actor and the majority of our work takes place in Finland but, in terms of expatriate Finns, our operating area covers the whole world.

The Migration Institute of Finland carries out research, is an active publisher, maintains its archive collection, emigrant register and a special library of the field and organises events and exhibitions. The Migration Institute of Finland is multidisciplinary and cooperates actively with Finnish and foreign universities and other institutes.

Locations

The institute has three locations. The main office of the Migration Institute of Finland is in Turku. The archive collections, library and exhibition spaces are also located there. The Seinäjoki office is situated at the University Consortium of Seinäjoki. A significant share of its activities involves the research of Ostrobothnian migration flows. The Vaasa office (Migration Centre of Swedish-speaking Finland) is situated at the Vaasa unit of Åbo Akademi. Its task is to carry out research and documentation related to Finland-Swedish migration.

Funding

The operations of the institute are enabled by the government transfer of the Ministry of Education and Culture. In addition, especially in research, the share of competitive project financing is significant. The institute also has its own foundation assets that are used to support its own operations and to allocate grants.

History

Siirtolaisuusinstituuttisäätiö sr was established in 1974. The establishment of the institute was promoted by all Finnish universities of that time and a few ministries and civic organisations. The founders of the institute came from the University of Turku.

The phases of the Migration Institute of Finland can be explored in more detail with the help of the historical work LIIKKEELLÄ – Siirtolaisuusinstituutti 1974–2014.

Organisation and rules
The Board and Council of the Migration Institute of Finland decide the general principles of the operations. The Board also decides on the allocation of grants. The member communities of the…
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Strategy
The Migration Institute’s strategy 2024–2026 
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Work for us
The Migration Institute of Finland offers a great vantage point to migration flow research in Finland and the world. In addition, the institute embodies unique competence in issues related to…
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Staff
Here you can find the contact information of the Institute’s staff.
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