ABSTRACT
National regulation of the labour market and an extensive social policy in Finland and in other Nordic countries, have made steady growth of the economy possible, and increased the level of welfare for citizens. The difference between associations and co-operatives is in the extent of voluntary work. Since the Second World War, mutual and voluntary organisations have mainly had a representative and innovative role providing welfare services. The Finnish welfare state is considered to have the main responsibility for social welfare and health care services. The associations for the unemployed can be seen as one example of a new type of citizen action and self-help reintegration in Finland. Associations are seen as the traditional way of tackling social problems. Various associations of people with mental health and psychiatric disabilities are establishing co-operatives or other social enterprises for work integration.
