Tasks and Cooperation of the Cultural Environment Services Department
The Finnish Heritage Agency is the key expert authority for the cultural environment within the state administration. The Cultural Environment Services Department is responsible for matters relating to the archaeological heritage, including maritime archaeology, the built cultural environment and restoration, as well as cultural landscapes. The department also administers state subsidies for the cultural environment.
The tasks of the department are based on the Act on the Finnish Heritage Agency. The department’s activities are guided in particular by the following legislation:
- the Antiquities Act
- the Land Use Act and the Building Act
- the Act on the Protection of Built Heritage
- the Church Act
- the Act on the Orthodox Church.
Our work focuses on the protection of archaeological remains, the state’s built heritage, ecclesiastical built heritage, and sites protected under the Act on the Protection of Built Heritage.
The Cultural Environment Services Department participates in regional land-use planning and in other planning projects of principal significance.
Most cultural environment tasks related to land use (planning and permits under the Building Act) are carried out by the museums with regional responsibility.
Developer and influencer
The Cultural Environment Services Department acts as a national developer and influencer within its field. We produce information and perspectives on the values, use, management and potential of cultural heritage as part of a sustainable society.
We participate in the renewal of legislation and in the preparation of national strategies and policy guidelines. We are responsible for national protection projects, take part in producing cultural environment information, and promote its accessibility.
We prepare guidelines and manuals on the safeguarding of the cultural environment in cooperation with stakeholders. We also implement national and international joint projects.
Cooperation in Finland and internationally
The department’s key cooperation partners include museums with regional and national responsibility, the state environmental administration, state property holders and church denominations.
The department is an active international participant in inter-governmental organisations and networks between heritage authorities. For example, the Council of Europe, the European Union, the Baltic Sea region and the Nordic countries are important cooperation forums.