Osaavat (Capable) project aims at strengthening work against hate crimes and harassment 

Term: 1.4.2021 – 31.3.2023

Hate speech and hate crimes are a social problem despite the fact that numerous actions have been taken to identify, address and prevent them in, for example, projects coordinated by the Ministry of Justice. Over recent years, data collection and local-level cooperation, for example, have been improved in the context of Against Hate and Facts Against Hate projects. 

Several bodies monitoring the international human rights situation have paid attention to increasing hate speech and urged Finland to step up its actions. The areas to which Finland has been requested to pay attention include professionals’ competence and coordination between various actors. 

The Programme of Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s Government includes many actions related to hate crimes and hate speech, such as promoting monitoring of the situation in relation to discrimination and hate crime and horizontal measures to address systematic harassment, threats and targeting. The actions included in the project implement the goals of the Government Programme.

The Osaavat (Capable) project will, among other things, strengthen the competence of police in work against hate crimes. In addition, the project will conceptualise a Centre of Excellence for work against hate crimes and discrimination as well as pilot the Centre’s activities.

The project is coordinated by the Ministry of Justice. Other project partners include the Ministry of the Interior, the Office of the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman and Anti-Racist Forum.

Publications

The publications are available in Finnish, Swedish and English.

The Osaavat (Capable) project is co-funded by European Union's Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme. The content of this website is the sole responsibility of Ministry of Justice, and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Commission.