Can you imagine a moment when a person needs help but even a reliable non-governmental organization (NGO) cannot help them? What consequences would that cause, and who would take responsibility for it? This is not just theoretical speculation, but reality in Finland. It is a real threat that affects the most vulnerable members of society. As an interviewed NGO actor states in the organization barometer of SOSTE, the Finnish Federation for Social and Health Affairs:
”I’m concerned about what will happen when the funding of the non-governmental organization sector crumbles and people no longer even receive help from those organizations: how the increasing malaise affects society and, among other things, social peace” (Peltosalmi, Eronen, Londén & Ruuskanen 2024, 29).
The importance of non-governmental organizations in Finnish society
What are NGOs doing? NGOs have long roots in Finland. These organizations have been part of building welfare state in Finland with government and local councils. And these organizations have played and play today a significant role as providers and reformers of social and healthcare services. For example, Finnish maternity and child healthcare clinic services and maternity package were originally provided by NGOs but are now part of public services. (Pätilä & Tuurnas 2019, 292.)
Over the years, the work of NGOs has become more professional and service-providing. NGOs have a lot of expectations of maintaining people’s well-being when public services have been reduced. Also, these organizations are seen as important partners of administration and service provision, but working at the interface can present challenges for blurring the boundaries between public services and services provided by organizations. (Pätilä & Tuurnas 2019, 292–293.)
How about today?
If we view the situation of NGOs today, the work they do is crucial to the vulnerable people in society. Many organizations help when the resources of basic needs in living are incomplete or individuals have mental health issues in life. Some of these organizations in Finland are for example Hope ry, different food aid organizations, Mental Health Finland (MIELI ry), the Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters and the organizations operating under it. If these NGOs are suffering from governments decreasing financial support from them, their services in the field are in jeopardy. MIELI ry reports that 81% of their funding is public support (MIELI ry 2025). Because financial support will decrease, organizations must develop their own fundraising and strict financial management. How this is even possible to carry out, that only time will tell us.
The services and sectors that promote wellbeing work operate in a complex and multi-layered environment. This makes it more difficult both to develop these activities and to evaluate their impact. (Joensuu, Harkko & Henriksson 2025, 394.) Also different services that create well-being in society are connected to each other. And because they are connected, a change in one sector can cause a ripple effect and may lead to unexpected effects somewhere else. (Pekkola, Leponiemi & Heikkilä 2025, 7.)
This development brings with it real risks that are worth considering: what if peer support disappears or volunteer activities begin to fade? What will happen to the low-threshold meeting places that serve as an important safety net and a place to meet. Threats are in the air, and the resources of NGOs are tighter than ever. This is a situation that makes us think about how valuable and how vulnerable NGO work truly is. This creates threats to the organization’s ability to operate in the interests of the groups they represent. We are drifting into a situation where the resource outlook for NGOs is becoming increasingly challenging. (Peltosalmi et al. 2024, 7, 28–30, 182.) The following comment illustrates this well:
”There are major changes taking place in both the financial and operating environments, which have opposing effects. The operating environment is affected by the growing need for assistance and the reduction of services, while the financial environment indicates a decrease in the level of assistance in almost all forms of assistance […]” (Peltosalmi et al. 2024, 28).
What if NGOs can’t survive?
Well… That’s the good point. NGOs are seen as different compared to governmental or commercial organizations by representing the common good and strengthening institutional positions (Ekholm, Heyse & Mourey 2019, 13). NGOs are key actors bringing citizens into the community and they can be seen as actors who have the capacity to build networks and develop communities (Mannarini, Pozzi & Marta 2023, 355).
While not all activities of NGOs can necessarily be measured or evaluated of the basis of evidence, they allow people to participate, build, and be part of the community. They also provide assistance when other networks are not enough.
In conclusion, we can state that NGOs provide resources that complement public services. In addition to direct aid, they strengthen participation and bring forward the voices of people in vulnerable positions. They often operate as quiet but important forces that help keep communities functioning.
Understanding the significance of NGOs requires recognizing their human and societal role. In our view, their absence would leave a substantial gap in society and the consequences can be significant. Some people may be left completely without support, loneliness and social exclusion may increase, and the burden on the public sector will grow. Even if the public sector resources were increased, it is difficult to believe that the public sector could fully replace the role of these organizations. That is precisely why it is important to recognize and appreciate the work that non-governmental organizations do for the benefit of communities – often quietly but having a significant impact.
Useful links:
https://www.soste.fi/ajankohtaista/tutkimus/jarjestobarometri/jarjestobarometri-2024/
Writers
Aapro Lotta, Hietapelto Mari, Närhi Anni, Turunen Birgitta and Ämmälä Eija-Sinikka. Students of Welfare and Health Coordinator Master’s Degree Programme at Savonia University of Applied Sciences.
Pehkonen Pirjo and Savela Sanna. Lecturers at Savonia University of Applied Sciences.
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