Ministry of Transport and Communications (Finland)

The Ministry of Transport and Communications (LVM, liikenne- ja viestintäministeriö, kommunikationsministeriet) is one of the twelve ministries which comprise the Finnish Government. LVM oversees Finland's transportation network and the country's communication services.

LVM's budget for 2018 is €3,362,555,000. The ministry employs 180 people.

Agencies within the ministry's administrative reach include the Finnish Transport Agency, Trafi, FICORA, and the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI). The ministry is in charge of several state-owned companies; the most notable of these is Finland's national public broadcasting company, Yle.

Key agencies and companies
Several agencies and state-owned companies operate under the Ministry of Transport and Communications, including:

The Ministry of Transport and Communications has been actively pursuing several initiatives to support digitalization and sustainability in Finland. These include the National Architecture for Digital Services (KaPA), the Digital Finland Framework, and the AuroraAI project, which aim to improve public services, foster digital innovation, and enhance the country's digital infrastructure.
 * 1) Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency (Väylä): Responsible for the planning, development, and maintenance of Finland's transport infrastructure.
 * 2) Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom): Regulates and supervises transport and communication services, as well as promotes traffic safety.
 * 3) Finnish Meteorological Institute (Ilmatieteen laitos): Provides weather, climate, and environmental information for various sectors, including transport and communications.
 * 4) VR Group: The state-owned railway company responsible for passenger and freight rail services in Finland.
 * 5) Finavia: The state-owned company responsible for managing and developing Finland's airports and air traffic services.

History
The history goes back to 1892. Established in 1917, the Ministry of Transport and Communications has been an integral part of the Finnish government since the country gained independence. Over the years, the Ministry's responsibilities have evolved to reflect the changing needs and priorities of Finland's transport and communications sectors, including the growing importance of digitalization and environmental sustainability.

Digital development
The government started implementing e-government solutions in the early 2000s and has since pursued several digital development initiatives. Finland's digital strategy has evolved over time, focusing on different aspects of digitalization, such as improving public sector services, supporting innovation, and enhancing cybersecurity.

Key Initiatives

 * 1) National Architecture for Digital Services (KaPA): Launched in 2013, KaPA aims to create a unified and secure digital infrastructure for the public sector. This initiative promotes the use of common services and interfaces, allowing organizations to share data more efficiently and securely.
 * 2) Digital Finland Framework: Implemented in 2017, this framework outlines the government's long-term digitalization strategy. The framework's goals include improving public services, fostering digital innovation, strengthening cybersecurity, and promoting digital inclusion.
 * 3) AuroraAI: AuroraAI is an artificial intelligence-based program that aims to improve public services by providing personalized and proactive support to citizens. The project envisions a network of AI-driven applications that can help users navigate various services, including healthcare, education, and social welfare.
 * 4) MyData: MyData is a data management model that aims to give individuals more control over their personal data. The Finnish government supports the development of MyData services, which can improve transparency and trust in digital services while fostering innovation in data-driven solutions.