A high level of education and skills has long been one of Finland’s key success factors. However, according to international comparisons – including those by the OECD – the education and skill levels of young people in Finland have been declining since the early 2000s, and the upward trend in adult education has stalled. In response, Finnish higher education institutions have joined forces to tackle current challenges in higher education, strengthen lifelong learning, and reverse the downward trend in national skill levels.
The Digivisio 2030 project was established to address several challenges facing the higher education sector. Involving 37 Finnish higher education institutions, the project aims to reduce regional disparities by making higher education more accessible across the country. It also supports the need to respond to the rapidly changing demands of working life and enables skills development at different stages of a person’s career.
“Digivisio 2030 is a testament to the shared ambition of our higher education institutions to strengthen Finland’s skills base. We are committed to building a future where our country stands out as a pioneer in flexible learning and digitalisation,” said Vesa Saarikoski, President of JAMK University of Applied Sciences and Chair of the Digivisio 2030 steering group.
Technology, data, and design company Solita has served as a key design and implementation partner for the project, contributing expertise in service design, software development, integrations, cybersecurity, usability, user research, and the use of artificial intelligence. Application and software development for the Digivisio 2030 project has been carried out in collaboration with Digia Finland Oy, Gofore Plc, Futurice Oy, and Solita Oy.
“It has been a pleasure to see the value the Solita team has placed on this project. They’ve been both highly skilled and genuinely enthusiastic about the work,” said Heini-Maari Kemppainen, Project Manager for Lifelong Learning and Design at Digivisio 2030.
“The mission of this project is truly inspiring. Working together towards a shared goal has been deeply engaging, educational, and productive,” adds Panu Puukari, Service Designer at Solita.
One of the core goals of Finland’s higher education institutions is to position the country as a model for flexible learning and a frontrunner in the digitalisation of higher education by 2030. This will strengthen Finland’s international competitiveness and attract global talent.
Opin.fi brings together open studies from Finnish higher education institutions in one place
Higher education institutions have launched the Opin.fi service, which – for the first time – brings together a diverse selection of open university-level studies in one central location. The service makes it easy and engaging to discover and compare study opportunities. This marks a significant step towards a broader digital ecosystem for higher education.
“As working lives grow longer and demands in the labour market increase, we all need to continuously update and develop our skills. The newly launched Opin.fi offers a flexible way to respond to the changing needs of working life. It has been created for everyone – regardless of age or life situation – who wants to explore opportunities for personal and professional development,” said Hanna Nordlund, Director of the Digivisio 2030 project.
Opin.fi has been developed in close collaboration with higher education institutions and future users. Learners and institutions have been actively involved in the long-term development work to ensure the service meets users’ needs as effectively as possible.
“Opin.fi is especially aimed at working-age adults, and no previous higher education experience is required. The service is open to those looking for a new area of interest or profession, career changers, and those updating their skills in the workplace. It offers a wide variety of learning formats – including courses, podcasts, and webinars,” Nordlund explains.
This spring, 29 higher education institutions are participating, offering thousands of learning opportunities. The platform includes studies in Finnish, Swedish and English, with options for both online and in-person learning. Topics range from sustainability and emerging technologies to wellbeing, health, and safety. In the autumn, the remaining eight institutions will join the service, significantly expanding the offering as development work continues.
For more information
Hanna Nordlund, Director, Digivisio 2030, [email protected], +358 50 354 0052
Heini-Maari Kemppainen, Project Manager for Lifelong Learning and Design, Digivisio 2030, [email protected], +358 50 428 3925
Solita, Kati Pääkkönen, Account Director, [email protected], +358 40 709 2085
Solita, Panu Puukari, Service Designer, [email protected], +358 40 544 2545
Media contacts: Rauha Kiljunen-Ruotsalainen, Communications Manager, Digivisio 2030, [email protected] , +358 40 511 7903
Summary: Digivisio 2030 project
- Digivisio 2030 is a nationwide digitalisation project jointly led by 37 Finnish higher education institutions.
- The project was launched to help raise Finland’s overall skill level, particularly through higher education, and to address current challenges in the education sector.
- Its mission is to improve skills across different stages of life – especially among the working-age population – and to make higher education more flexible and accessible.
- The project also aims to reduce regional disparities by enabling education that is no longer tied to time or place, support the evolving needs of working life, and promote lifelong learning.
- In practice, Digivisio’s work is structured around several key goals:
- Positioning Finland as a global leader in flexible learning and the digitalisation of higher education by 2030
- Supporting continuous learning and lifelong skills development, especially during people’s working lives
- Enabling personalised and flexible learning paths, with a strong emphasis on learner-centricity and diverse learner needs
- Enhancing the international competitiveness of the Finnish education system and increasing the appeal of Finnish higher education
- The first major practical implementation is Opin.fi – a digital study platform – launched on 15 April 2025. The offering will expand significantly throughout the year.
- The long-term vision is to make Finland a global frontrunner in higher education digitalisation by 2030.
Digivisio 2030 is a joint digitalisation initiative of Finland’s higher education institutions. Its aim is to build a flexible and open digital ecosystem for higher education. The project includes 37 Finnish universities and universities of applied sciences. It is funded by the participating institutions along with the Ministry of Education and Culture, with a total budget of approximately €100 million. The project’s vision is for Finland to be an open and recognised global leader in digital learning by 2030. Opin.fi is a key service developed under Digivisio.