What is Familia?
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Familia ry – founded in 1988 – is a national expert organisation of intercultural families. We support the wellbeing of intercultural families by offering peer support and volunteer activities, information, and advice. We also aim at making improvements in the social and legal systems, so that the needs of intercultural and multilingual families and Finns would be better met.
Intercultural families as a term, refers to families in which family members have different cultural backgrounds. This usually means, that the partners were born and raised in different countries and speak different native languages. A child or children raised by a parent (s) with different cultural background (s), are also considered part of an intercultural family. |
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News
Familia's Survey on Racism and Discrimination in Intercultural Families
26.3.25
We are conducting a new survey on the experiences of intercultural couples and families in Finland. This follows our 2020 survey, and we want to see how things have changed. The results will help us identify challenges and improve our services, activities, and advocacy efforts to better support intercultural families. The survey is open until 30.4., it is anonymous, and it is available in English and Finnish.
Take our survey here
26.3.25
We are conducting a new survey on the experiences of intercultural couples and families in Finland. This follows our 2020 survey, and we want to see how things have changed. The results will help us identify challenges and improve our services, activities, and advocacy efforts to better support intercultural families. The survey is open until 30.4., it is anonymous, and it is available in English and Finnish.
Take our survey here
We published our municipal and county elections themes
18.3.25
In Finland, there are nearly 90,000 intercultural married or cohabiting couples, where one spouse is Finnish and the other is foreign-born. About half of these couples have children. Additionally, more than 17,000 intercultural families live in Finland where both spouses come from different countries.
There are over 150,000 children and young people under the age of 30 with an intercultural background in Finland, of whom approximately 110,000 are under 18.
This rapidly growing demographic must be taken into account at the municipal and regional levels, particularly in family policy decision-making. To develop a more equitable and multicultural Finnish society, we need to increase awareness of the specific characteristics of intercultural families and shape municipalities and regions based on their needs.
Read our municipal elections themes here
Read our county elections themes here
18.3.25
In Finland, there are nearly 90,000 intercultural married or cohabiting couples, where one spouse is Finnish and the other is foreign-born. About half of these couples have children. Additionally, more than 17,000 intercultural families live in Finland where both spouses come from different countries.
There are over 150,000 children and young people under the age of 30 with an intercultural background in Finland, of whom approximately 110,000 are under 18.
This rapidly growing demographic must be taken into account at the municipal and regional levels, particularly in family policy decision-making. To develop a more equitable and multicultural Finnish society, we need to increase awareness of the specific characteristics of intercultural families and shape municipalities and regions based on their needs.
Read our municipal elections themes here
Read our county elections themes here
Familia's statement on the draft government proposal for a law amending the Aliens Act (permanent residence permit)
7.3.25
Familia opposes the proposal, as it makes it more difficult to build a permanent life in Finland and weakens the position of immigrants in the labor market and in family life. Considering Finland's demographic development, it is important that intercultural families can settle in Finland without unnecessary uncertainty about living a family life in Finland.
Read the full statement here (only available in Finnish).
7.3.25
Familia opposes the proposal, as it makes it more difficult to build a permanent life in Finland and weakens the position of immigrants in the labor market and in family life. Considering Finland's demographic development, it is important that intercultural families can settle in Finland without unnecessary uncertainty about living a family life in Finland.
Read the full statement here (only available in Finnish).
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Upcoming Finnish Courses for 2025
17.4.25 Familia offers two new intensive summer courses in 2025: Summer beginners intensive course AK0005 (Online): Term: 2.6 - 2.8. | Monday to Thursday | 10:00 - 13:15 on Zoom Registration period: 1.4 - 26.5. Summer beginners intensive course AK0004 (Face-to-Face): Term: 2.6 - 7.8. | Monday to Thursday | 10:00 -13:15 in Familia's office - Helsinki. Registration period: 1.4 - 26.5. To learn more about these courses and registration click here. Classes for Fall /Autumn 2025 will be announced later on this year, stay tuned for updates! |
Familia belongs to the Diverse-Family network. The network consists of ten different family associations representing a variety of different types of families. The aim of the Diverse Families Network is a society where families are equal, and every family can be proud of itself.
JOIN US!
As a member of Familia, you are a valuable part of our community that promotes the well-being and equality of intercultural families in Finland. As a member, your voice and that of your family can be heard in the planning of services and in decision-making related to multiculturalism, multilingualism, immigration and integration, for example. As our member, you can also participate in Familia's regular meetings and thus, develop our activities. |
activities
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