Förbundsarenan (formerly known as Svenska studieförbundet) is a national coalition of civil society organizations for Swedish-speaking Finns. Förbundsarenan is politically independent and is active in Swedish. The association was founded in 1961.
Förbundsarenan has 64 members. These are Swedish speaking associations and central organizations. Together they represent over 400 000 individual members and around 1200 other members, such as registered associations, municipalities and congregations.
The task of Förbundsarenan is to promote the conditions for and support the development of the civil society in Swedish speaking Finland, as a contribution to democratic social development and social welfare.
Förbundsarenan:
brings together people from different associations through several networks (e.g. the communication network and the network for executive directors)
picks up common challenges and finds a common solution
highlights and informs about different themes, current issues, courses and events via our newsletter, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
organizes events and activities to support and strengthen the member associations, such as a mentoring program
is a spokesperson for the member associations, e.g. via Advisory Board on Civil Society Policy, KANE
awards the price Association of the year (Årets förbund) annually