When Finland published its first National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security in 2021, it was the first one in the whole world. Since then, Gambia, Nigeria, the Philippines and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have also published their own national action plans.
In the summer of 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs started to work on a second National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security. That was after the government of Finland had outlined the matter in the Government Report on Finnish Foreign and Security Policy. Finland’s second National Action Plan covers the years 2025–2028.
The National Action Plan has been updated in close cooperation between the government, young people, civil society organizations and research institutions and following the same principles that have been there since the drafting of the first action plan. To support the updating process, the Finnish National Youth Council and Youth Sector (FYCS) carried out youth consultations and a survey which helped map out the perspectives of a broader group of young respondents on peace and security.
Youth, peace and security – a brief history
2015
Resolution 2250 is approved by the UN Security Council.
2016
The Finnish Youth, Peace and Safety Network (then called the 2250 Network) is established to lobby for the national action plan.
2018
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland announces that Finland commits to drawing up a national action program to implement resolution 2250.
National youth consultations collect opinions on peace and security.
2019
The world’s first 2250 seminar is held in Helsinki.
The 2250 Task Force is established to coordinate cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
2020
Youth consultations and workshops discuss the five priorities of UN Security Council Resolution 2250. The identified priorities are participation, prevention, partnerships, protection, and disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration into society.
2021
Finland’s National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security 2021–2024 is published.
2022
Implementation of the action plan begins. A monitoring group is formed, consisting of representatives from government administration, youth organizations, and young people. The group meets regularly to evaluate the progress of implementation.
The European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships publishes its own Youth Action Plan for EU External Action.
2024
The Government’s foreign and security policy report states that Finland will prepare a new national Youth, Peace and Security action plan as the current one ends at the end of 2024.
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs begins coordinating the update process, and Nuorisoala ry gathers information to support the work, focusing on young people’s views on peace and security.