Shared accommodation piloting to continue in the Defence Forces  

In 2023, the piloting of shared accommodation will continue in the Finnish Defence Forces. It includes all brigade-level units providing training to persons liable for military service (excluding the FAF air commands) and also includes the North Karelia Border Guard District of the Finnish Border Guard.

During the course of the continued piloting, shared accommodation facilities will be utilised by those conscripts who have given their consent to this. The objective is to get solid data and experiences on the effects of shared accommodation relating to service motivation, performance capability, section cohesion, service fluency, information transmission, training results, and use of space of those undertaking conscript service. The aim is to accommodate an equal number of men and women in the shared barracks rooms. 

Participation on a voluntary basis

Participation in this shared accommodation piloting continues to be on a voluntary basis and presupposes the consent of all who share a given barracks room. The conscripts may at any time withdraw their consent.

The recruit letter to be sent prior to service start contains information on shared accommodation and asks whether prospective conscripts are willing to participate in the piloting. Similarly, in conjunction with leadership training selections, the conscripts are asked to give their free individual consent to shared accommodation. 

Social facilities, such as designated shower and toilet facilities, remain separate for men and women. 

The shared accommodation piloting will only concern accommodation available at the garrison and have no impact on field accommodation arrangements while in an exercise.

Piloting ongoing from 2020 

In 2020, shared accommodation began to be piloted in the Army, in the Army Academy on the Reserve Officer Course 256, as well as in the Kainuu Brigade and in the Karelia Brigade. As of early 2021, the piloting was extended to the Coastal Brigade of the Navy and to the Air Force Academy of the FAF. In 2022, the piloting was extended to include all brigade-level units providing training to persons liable for military service (excluding the FAF air commands) and the North Karelia Border Guard District of the Finnish Border Guard.

On 18 February 2020, the Ministry of Defence issued a decree (80/2020) on the fixed-term piloting of shared accommodation. This piloting now continues until the end of 2023 in accordance with a new MOD decree issued on 29 December 2022.