What does Finland think about work-based immigration? Online discussion involving thousands of people begins

Update, 22 September 2026: The online discussion on the Voxit platform has closed, and the results will be published during autumn 2026.

An exceptionally wide-ranging online discussion on the future of work-based immigration is getting under way in Finland. The discussion, held on the digital Voxit platform, will be open for a month. The aim is to attract 10,000 participants to the discussion.

By analysing citizens’ responses, it is possible to identify where Finns have broad consensus on work-based immigration and where their opinions diverge.

The topic is timely, as work-based immigration is closely linked to Finland’s economic growth, demographic development, skills base and societal trust. It is a multifaceted phenomenon that divides opinion and stirs strong feelings. The Voxit platform is designed for constructive discussion among large groups.

“Broad citizen participation can help address important but divisive societal issues. At the end of the project, all the information gathered will be analysed and a summary will be provided to decision-makers and public administration bodies,” says Kirsi Hantula, a senior lead at Democratic Innovations, Sitra.

The online discussion is part of the wider Future of Work-based Immigration project which Sitra is carrying out in cooperation with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. Under this initiative, that began in spring 2026, citizens’ views on work-based immigration are being gathered using three participation methods: citizen dialogues, the Voxit discussion and a deliberative citizens’ assembly.

In November, Sitra will also hold a Kuutio session. Kuutio, the Cube, is Sitra’s innovation method that brings together a wide range of experts and decision-makers from the field to build a shared picture of a givensituation and develop proposals for solutions.

This is the first time in Finland that such a wide range of participation methods has been used on a socially significant issue.

Taking part is quick and easy

The Voxit platform is designed for constructive discussion among large groups. Taking part in the discussion is quick and easy, for example on your phone.

On the Voxit platform, participants respond to statements about work-based immigration by agreeing or disagreeing. Participants can propose their own statements for discussion or they can skip statements. The discussion is anonymous, and statements added by others cannot be commented on.

To get the discussion going, there is a number of seed statements on the platform. These cover topics such as labour shortages and demographic development, Finland’s attractiveness, integration, language skills, working life and administration. Statements proposed by participants will supplement the discussion as it progresses.

A state-owned company Motiva is responsible for the practical implementation of the Voxit discussion.