itsehallinnassa

Itsehallinnassa is the Finnish phrase for "in self-government" or "under self-administration." It describes a political-administrative status in which a community, region, or organization exercises a degree of autonomy and manages its own affairs within the framework of national law. The term is frequently used in discussions of local government and regional autonomy, and it can refer to the way power is distributed between the central state and subnational units or to the governance rules of an organization.

In Finland, municipal self-government (kunnallinen itsehallinto) is a cornerstone of the political system. Municipalities and towns operate with a degree of autonomy to manage local tasks, finance themselves through local taxation, and decide on matters such as land use, schooling, and social services, in accordance with national statutes. Local self-government is balanced by oversight, national legislation, and budgetary controls to ensure uniform rights and services across the country.

Historically, the principle was solidified in constitutional and statutory provisions and has evolved alongside administrative reforms. The phrase itself is also used more broadly to describe other bodies that operate under their own governance structures, including regional administrations or organizations with delegated decision rights.

Overall, itsehallinnassa denotes the condition of being governed by one’s own rules within the larger state framework, a core concept in Finnish political and administrative life.