title: Finnish Institute in the UK and Ireland
text: # Finnish Institute in the UK and Ireland
  
  The Finnish Institute in the UK and Ireland (Finnish: Suomen Britannian- ja Irlannin-instituutti, Swedish: Finlandsinstitutet i Storbritannien och Irland), formerly the Finnish Institute in London (Suomen Britannian- ja Irlannin-instituutti) is a non-profit, private foundation, funded principally by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture. It is part of the international network of 17 Finnish Cultural and Academic Institutes, and operates in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and Finland. The Institute runs two programmes: Arts and Society. The Institute belongs to the Team Finland network that supports Finnish diplomacy, business and culture abroad. The institute is a member of EUNIC London, the network of EU member state cultural institutes.
  
  ## About
  
  The Finnish Institute in the UK and Ireland is an expert on Finnish culture and society. The institute supports the internationalisation of Finnish contemporary art and helps artists, researchers and social and cultural actors to create international networks. It also builds partnerships between Irish, British and Finnish actors and organisations. The Institute encourages interdisciplinary and transnational collaboration by creating networks and building new partnerships.
  
  ## History
  
  The Finnish Institute in London was founded in 1991. In January 2021, the Institute changed its name to Finnish Institute in the UK and Ireland.
  
  ### Directors
  
  * Eino Lyytinen 1991–1993
  * Jaakko Rusama 1993–1996
  * Henrik Stenius 1996–1999
  * Panu Minkkinen 1999–2002
  * Timo Valjakka 2002–2005
  * Seppo Kimanen 2005–2008
  * Raija Koli 2008–2013
  * Susanna Pettersson 2013–2014
  * Johanna Vakkari October 2014–January 2015
  * Pauliina Ståhlberg 2015–2018
  * Emilie Gardberg 2018–2020
  * Jaakko Nousiainen 2021–
  