Svenska litteratursällskapet i Finland > Mission, vision and strategy
Svenska litteratursällskapet i Finland > Mission, vision and strategy
Tähtitorninvuori in Helsinki, 1890-1910. Image: Gustav Sandberg. SLS/Gustav Sandbergs fotografisamling
Here you can read about our mission, values, vision and strategy. Together, they form the foundation of our organisation and show us the way forward.
The mission of SLS is to collect, preserve and share knowledge about Swedish culture in Finland, to promote domestic research into the Swedish language and literature, and to promote domestic literary activities in Swedish through prizes and grants. SLS owns and manages the Swedish Cultural Foundation and other funds.
Knowledge. Quality. Renewal. Diversity.
Knowledge and culture for an open and enlightened society.
The Society of Swedish Literature in Finland operates in a world marked by rapid change. Global and national challenges such as technological development, geopolitical instability, and social upheavals are reshaping both the cultural and research landscape. The conditions for Swedish in Finland and our two national languages are also affected.
SLS finds itself in a time when old structures are being questioned, and new paths are being formed. The organisation’s role is becoming increasingly important – not only in promoting research and preserving cultural heritage but also in acting as a catalyst for a society that values knowledge and culture.
By funding research and fostering a knowledge-based public discourse, SLS creates the conditions necessary to understand and address the complex issues of our time, contributing to the development of a more open and enlightened society.
As global uncertainty increases and the Finnish welfare society faces new challenges, the need for SLS to identify and highlight strategically relevant focus areas grows. At the same time, it is essential to establish clear principles for how we fulfil our mission in a sustainable and responsible manner. Through these principles, we also define our stance on science and cultural policy. This means clearly outlining what actions we will take to achieve our mission in a rapidly changing world, as well as identifying activities we will not undertake or choose to discontinue.
During the strategy period, we work towards our purpose and vision to ensure impact both within and beyond the scientific community. We will continue to invest in initiatives targeting our Finnish-speaking audiences. All our activities are based on long-term and sustainable asset management.
Research and science, particularly the humanities, face multiple challenges due to economic uncertainty and shifting attitudes toward science and its role in society. SLS is committed to ensuring that high-quality Swedish-language academic spaces remain open and accessible to all, and that Swedish continues to thrive as an academic language.
By developing attractive funding and collaboration models for research and by supporting and strengthening the humanities and social sciences with a Swedish dimension and Nordic foundation, SLS works to create conditions for leading research with broad impact and long-term societal relevance.
SLS also promotes the digital accessibility of purpose-driven materials, enabling various types of research and increasing the impact of scientific work.
SLS’s activities are based on the following principles during the strategy period 2025–2028:
The relationship between culture and media is evolving as an increasing variety of cultural expressions emerge. Traditional reading is being challenged by factors such as fragmentation and superficial visual content on social media. SLS works to promote a deeper understanding of the significance of culture, cultural heritage, and literature for different target groups, including young people.
SLS aims to enhance knowledge and appreciation of Swedish culture in Finland, with a particular emphasis on literature and cultural heritage. Through this, we seek to promote diversity as well as an open and inclusive Finland-Swedish identity.
Through innovative initiatives and collaborations with actors in the fields of culture, literature, and education, SLS aims to highlight Finland-Swedish literature both in Finland and internationally. Our ambition is to give Swedish literature in Finland a stronger profile and to increase its impact. By working on initiatives such as the popularisation of science, we also seek to contribute to knowledge dissemination and societal dialogue.
SLS’s activities are based on the following principles during the strategy period 2025–2028:
The Finnish welfare society faces significant challenges that directly impact SLS’s areas of responsibility. Many of these changes are complex and difficult to predict. The role of the third sector as a funder of activities alongside the public sector is increasing. SLS works to build preparedness and create the conditions necessary to act, particularly regarding the balance between public and private funding. A professional, long-term, and responsible asset management strategy that attracts new donations forms the foundation for continuously expanding efforts.
We aim to strengthen our ability to navigate a changing environment, safeguard our interests, and ensure that our initiatives remain relevant and strategically important for both SLS and society. By collaborating with other actors and exchanging knowledge, we can not only enhance our own preparedness but also contribute to the creation of long-term sustainable structures for research, culture, and Swedish in Finland.
SLS’s activities are based on the following principles during the strategy period 2025–2028:
We are a knowledge-based organisation that values society’s relationship with information and knowledge, especially at a time when access to reliable information is becoming increasingly important. We support research environments where quality and reliability are central, and we work proactively to counter misinformation.
We take an active role in promoting mission-driven issues at a broad societal level. We collaborate with academic institutions, cultural organisations, heritage institutions, funders, and other relevant actors to create visibility and broad impact for initiatives aligned with our mission.
We actively support new and innovative ways of thinking about the role of culture and science in society, contributing to an open and enlightened society. We promote new methods for collecting, processing, and disseminating knowledge to better meet the increasing diversity of needs today and in the future.
We are committed to operating sustainably and responsibly, both in our internal activities and in how we manage donated funds. We invest in the well-being and development of our staff while fostering a creative and balanced work environment. Through sustainable investments, we ensure that our resources grow and continue to support our mission far into the future. The foundation of all our activities is responsible and long-term asset management.
Attractive funding and collaboration models for research
Impact of the humanities and social sciences
Strengthening the position of the humanities in society
Digitalisation and living cultural heritage
Deep dive into the role of literature and culture in today’s society
Positioning SLS as a prominent promoter of literature
Developing methods for continuous environmental and risk analysis