Finland implements API framework proposed by the European Commission

The Finnish Ministry of Finance has presented at APIdays Helsinki how they are adapting the API framework suggested by the Commission. This work is extended and further developed in the context of our Innovative Public Services action.

On 16 March, the Ministry of Finance of Finland presented at APIdays Helsinki how they are adapting the EC’s application programming interfaces (API) framework. The framework structures actions to be taken by organizations to better profit of their API infrastructure. The framework offers twelve ‘proposals’ arranged around four organisational pillars, namely, policy support, platforms and ecosystems, people, and processes. The twelve proposals, inspired by the European Interoperability Framework (EIF) of the European Commission, were created following an extensive and deep systematic review that assessed available documents on current government API strategies, guidelines, related policies and action plans in digital government and other areas, and private industry best practice guidelines.

The project on opening up and using public data  in Finland was set up by the Ministry of Finance on 30 April 2020 and it will put into effect the aims given in the Government Programme by promoting wider and more effective use of public data through society. The project will last until the end of 2022 and aims to promote the coherent use of data and functions, primarily through APIs. At the moment there are no common principles for API development in the public sector in Finland. 

The main goal of API policies is to create a shared set of principles for API development in public administrations in Finland. Further goals include promotion of a customer-driven approach, cooperation, reusability, interoperability, information security and data protection and quality API development. Common principles will promote the coherent use of data and functions, primarily through APIs. API policies for Finland public administrations are divided into three levels: strategic, tactical and operational policies. The presentation highlighted the importance of interoperability has to be taken into account during the development.