opiskelijakunta
Opiskelijakunta is the Finnish term for a student union or student body organization that represents enrolled students at a higher education institution. Opiskelijakunnat typically operate as independent, democratically governed associations with statutes, elected boards and general assemblies. They are distinct from student organizations focused on specific fields of study (ainejärjestöt) or hobby clubs, but often cooperate with them.
Common functions of an opiskelijakunta include representing students in university decision-making and governance, lobbying on education
Opiskelijakunnat are key actors in student participation: they nominate or elect student representatives to university bodies,
Funding typically comes from membership fees, service income and sometimes grants. While they operate independently of