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Digital First project seeks solutions for reducing paper post sent by authorities

Publication date 17.6.2024 13.39
Press release

The aim of the Digital First project (Digi ensin) launched by the Digital and Population Data Services Agency is to find solutions for reducing the amount of paper post sent by the authorities. With future legislative changes, digitally skilled residents will primarily receive official post digitally. The Digital First project is primarily part of the Ministry of Finance's programme to promote digital communication with authorities.

The Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's Government outlines that Finland will gradually shift to prioritising digital services in official services. This requires amending legislation so that digital official communications become the primary channel for those for whom it is possible. The legislation is expected to enter into force in 2026.

The Digital and Population Data Services Agency facilitates this shift by developing Suomi.fi Messages to respond to future legislative changes and by supporting organisations and end users in using the Messages service. The development work will be customer-oriented, in cooperation with organisations and residents using the service. Currently, 1.3 million residents of Finland use Suomi.fi Messages. After legislative changes, the number of users may increase to about 4 million.

“In addition to technical development, we will also focus on ensuring that residents and organisations are adequately informed about the upcoming changes and their impact. We will also consider and strive to anticipate residents’ needs for digital support. Our aim is to streamline the use of official services by increasing the number of messages sent from Suomi.fi Messages. This also reduces the amount of paper post. At the same time, the changes will lay the foundation for primarily digital services,” says Deputy Director General Timo Salovaara.

Welcome to the Digital First introduction event in August 2024!

The Digital and Population Data Services Agency will organise an introduction event on Digital First on Friday 23 August 2024 9.00–10.30. At the event, we will present the project's roadmap and goals of stakeholder cooperation. 

For who?

The introduction event is intended for elected officials, non-governmental organisations, system providers who use Suomi.fi Messages on their services, and everyone responsible for the digital development, customer experience and communication of the central and local government sector and wellbeing services counties.

Where?

You can participate in the introduction event on-site at the Science Corner (Yliopistonkatu 4, Helsinki) or via the event's broadcast.

At the event, you can also ask questions that you can also send in advance when you register.

Register for the Digital First introduction event on 23 August 2024

Read more about the reform

The Digital First project of the Digital and Data Population Data Services Agency is primarily part of the Ministry of Finance's Programme to Promote Primarily Digital Official Communications.

More information 

Digital and Data Population Data Services Agency, Timo Salovaara, Deputy Director General, tel. +358 295 535 303, [email protected]

Digital and Population Data Services Agency, Annette Hotari, Senior Specialist, p. 0295 535 028, [email protected]