Newsletter Founded in 1968, the French Institute (IFF) is a department of the French Embassy in Finland, responsible for implementing cultural, educational, and scientific cooperation policies. It plays a central role in strengthening exchanges between France and Finland and contributes to the promotion of the French language and culture. It is led by the Embassy’s Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Action.
Located in Helsinki, the IFF offers a media library and a language center where French courses are taught by experienced and qualified teachers. The French Insitute organizes cultural and scientific events in collaboration with its Finnish partners and supports French cultural and scientific professionals who wish to develop partnerships or projects in Finland.
The French Institute’s missions cover several strategic areas:
Teaching and promoting the French language. The IFF is a key partner for Finnish educational and university authorities in promoting the French language and studies in France. It also supports the École française Jules Verne in Helsinki, which follows the French curriculum with teachers certified by the French Ministry of Education, as well as bilingual programs at the French-Finnish High School of Helsinki and schools in Tampere and Turku. Additionally, it provides training for French teachers in Finland and facilitates partnerships between French and Finnish educational institutions. The IFF also offers French courses for all levels and in various formats to the Finnish public.
Promoting French culture. In the field of cultural cooperation, the IFF connects cultural professionals from both countries, supports projects by French and Finnish actors that promote French culture, and encourages artistic exchanges and partnerships between cultural institutions. Throughout the year, the IFF organizes cultural events, both on-site and off-site, in collaboration with Finnish and French partners.
Scientific and academic cooperation and promoting studies in France. The IFF supports researcher mobility between France and Finland and assists French and Finnish institutions in establishing partnerships. It regularly organizes conferences and scientific events to highlight French research. The Campus France Finlande office provides information and guidance for students wishing to pursue studies in France.
The Institut français de Finlande is thus a key player in cultural diplomacy and the cooperation policy led by the French Embassy.