Uzbekistan Studies Finland Social Welfare Systems

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A high-level delegation from Uzbekistan’s National Social Protection Agency has concluded a comprehensive study tour of Finland, targeting the Nordic nation’s world-class systems in social welfare, inclusive education, and public administration.

Supported by the Embassy of Uzbekistan, the delegation engaged with Finnish ministries, municipal leaders, and non-profit organizations to explore frameworks for supporting vulnerable populations, digitizing public services, and training civil servants.

A primary focus was Finland's benchmark education system. The delegation held talks with the Finnish National Agency for Education, the Ministry of Education and Culture, and edtech firm Edulyzer to evaluate digital learning platforms and modern academic assessment methods. To observe these practices in action, Uzbek officials toured the Lehtikuusi school in Vantaa, examining firsthand how the municipality builds inclusive environments for children with special educational needs.

The itinerary also prioritized local governance and social infrastructure. Meetings with Helsinki municipal officials, the Association of Finnish Cities, and Deputy Mayor Maarit Vierunen analyzed the decentralization of social service delivery. Additionally, the delegation met with the Y-Foundation to study Finland’s celebrated "Housing First" model for preventing homelessness, and consulted with the Helsinki Deaconess Institution on public-private partnerships tailored for marginalized groups.

Legal aid and civil service modernization rounded out the agenda during consultations with the National Legal Aid Agency and the HAUS Finnish Institute of Public Management. Following the visit, Finnish authorities confirmed their readiness to expand bilateral ties, offering expert exchanges, joint webinars, and future memoranda of understanding to support Uzbekistan's ongoing social sector reforms.