Kehyskunnat

Kehyskunnat, often translated as "framework municipalities" or "municipalities within a framework," refers to a model of inter-municipal cooperation in Finland. This concept emerged as a response to the need for streamlining public services and promoting efficiency at the local level. The core idea of kehyskunnat is that a group of municipalities join together to form a larger, unified administrative unit for the purpose of providing certain shared services.

These shared services can encompass a wide range of areas, including social welfare, healthcare, education, and rescue services. By pooling resources and expertise, the participating municipalities aim to achieve economies of scale, improve the quality of services, and ensure equitable access for all residents across the involved areas. The decision to form or join a kehyskunta is typically made by the individual municipalities themselves, often through a voluntary agreement.

The administrative structure of a kehyskunta can vary. In some models, a joint municipal board is established to oversee the shared services, with representatives from each member municipality. In other cases, the responsibility for specific services might be delegated to one of the member municipalities, which then acts as the primary provider. The aim is to create a more robust and sustainable model for delivering essential public services, particularly in areas with declining populations or limited resources. The concept is part of a broader reform effort in Finland to modernize and rationalize municipal structures.