Romani affairs 

The purpose of the Advisory Boards is to increase the opportunities of the Romani population to participate in civil society and to improve their housing conditions in cooperation with authorities and the Romani.  

Finland has four Regional Advisory Boards on Romani Affairs:   

• in the operating area of the Regional State Administrative Agency for Southern Finland  
• in the operating area of the Regional State Administrative Agency for Eastern Finland  
• in the operating areas of the Regional State Administrative Agencies for Northern Finland and Lapland  
• in the operating area of the Regional State Administrative Agencies for Southwestern Finland as well as Western and Inland Finland.  

The duties of the Advisory Boards on Romani Affairs are:  

• Monitoring the development of the opportunities for community involvement and the housing conditions of the Romani in order to promote equality. Advisory Boards also submit statements on these matters to authorities.  
• Launching initiatives and proposals to improve the economic, educational, social and cultural conditions of the Romani and their access to employment.  
• Promoting the elimination of discrimination against the Romani.  
• Promoting Romani language and culture.  

An Advisory Board may have a maximum of 14 members including the Chair and Deputy Chair. Half of the members of an Advisory Board must be Romani. Regional aspects are taken into consideration in the selection of members. The secretary of an Advisory Board is the planner of Romani affairs of a Regional State Administrative Agency.  

Romani affairs concern several authorities. Due to this, it is important that the members of an Advisory Group represent all key partners: the Romani, social security experts, cultural and educational services, employment administration, congregations and experts in different fields as needed.  

Members of an Advisory Board are appointed by the Regional State Administrative Agency for a three-year term.

Tenure: 2023−2025

Chair: Kristiina Poikajärvi, director, Regional State Administrative Agency for Southern Finland
Vice-chair: Taito Lehmusta, Forssa
Secretary: Malla Laiti, Senior Planning Officer, Regional State Administrative Agency for Southern Finland

Members:

1. Tiina Kirmanen
2. Saana Pukkio (deputy member Marjo van Dijken)
3. Eija Leino
4. Anna-Riitta Liakka
5. Tuija Mustajärvi
6. Joni Jaakkola
7. Tamara Åkerlund
8. Nadja Lindeman 
9. Helena Blomerus
10. Dino Nyman
11. Kyösti Svart
12. Paula Åkerlund

Tenure 2023 - 2025

Chair: Maarita Mannelin, The wellbeing services county of North Karelia
Vice-chair: Ossi Blomerus, Savonlinnan Romaniyhdistys ry
Secretary: Helena Valentin, Regional State Administrative Agency for Eastern Finland

Members:

1. Daniel Ahlgren, Punkaharju
2. Johanna Albert, Regional State Administrative Agency for Eastern Finland
3. Priscilla Bollström, Kitee 
4. Janne Blomerus, Rom-Mikkeli ry.
5. Teresa Blomerus, Ylä-Savon romanit ry.
6. Mari Hytönen, The wellbeing services county of South Savo
7. Tenho Nikkinen, Kuopio
8. Yasemin Piel, The wellbeing services county of North Savo
9. Erik Reinikka, City of Nurmes
10. Kari Riihola, City of Iisalmi
11. Anna Tolvanen, City of Savonlinna
12. Terno Åkerlund, Varkaus

Deputy members:

Mikko Nenonen, The wellbeing services county of North Karelia
Mari Roikonen, Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment
Mirette Palm, City of Nurmes

Tenure: 2023−2025

Chair: Leena Räsänen, Director-General, Regional State Administrative Agency for Southwestern Finland
Vice-chair: Arto Zitron, entrepreneur, Turun seudun romanit ry
Secretary: Katja Ärling, Senior Planning Officer, Regional State Administrative Agency for Southwestern Finland

Members:

1. Eetu Myllymäki
2. Taru Pätäri
3. Jari-Pekka Messula
4. Toni Sjöblom
5. Anneli Pahta
6. Pentti Silvennoinen
7. Harri Svart
8. Arto Zitron
9. Melissa Lindeman
10. Voitto Friman
11. Katja Lindgren
12. Michelle Kasa
13. Jani Lindroos
14. Lea Karjomaa
15. Paula Mäkiharju-Brander
16. Laura Vänttinen
17. Maria Tolppanen
18. Sirkka Penttilä
19. Sirkka-Liisa Varjus
20. Krista Virtanen
21. Maria Päivänen
22. Leena Räsänen
23. Katja Theresa Ärling

Tenure: 2023−2025

Chair: Maria Siurua, Director, Regional State Administrative Agency for Northern Finland
Secretary: Henry Lindgren, Planning Officer, Regional State Administrative Agency for Northern Finland

Members:

1. Hanna Määttä
2. Sari Lahdenperä
3. Senja Valentin
4. Juha Alvari Ahlgren
5. Kalevi Långström
6. Jari Jaakkonen 
7. Päivi Ahola-Anttonen 
8. Jenni Kettunen
9. Ramona Grönstrand
10. Tanja Svarts Lindgren
11. Leif Flink 
12. Mirja Kangas