Legislative basis for the EU regional and structural policy programme in 2021–2027 completed 

The EU regional and structural policy programme, Innovation and Skills in Finland 2021-2027, will begin on 1 January 2022. The Government issued the last decrees concerning the programming period in October, and the legislative package is now complete.

The legislative basis consists of three acts and four decrees, which include provisions on the authorities and other bodies involved in the implementation of the programme and on projects funded from the regional and structural policy funds. 

Implementation act and decree are the foundation of the regional development system

The Act on Regional Development and Implementation of the European Union’s Regional and Structural Policy (756/2021) lays down provisions on the regional development planning system and its operators as well as on the duties and powers of the authorities. The act also contains national provisions on the implementation of the EU’s Interregional cooperation programmes (i.e. Interreg programmes). The Act came into effect on 1 September 2021.

The Act on Regional Development and Implementation of the European Union’s Regional and Structural Policy (756/2021, implementing act)  (in Finnish)

The Government Decree on Regional Development and Implementation of the European Union’s Regional and Structural Policy (implementing decree) specifies the implementing Act’s provisions on the implementation and coordination of national policies with the EU’s regional and structural policies. The decree entered into force on 1 September 2021. 

Government Decree on Regional Development and Implementation of the European Union’s Regional and Structural Policy (implementing decree) (in Finnish)

Funding legislation complements the EU regulation on regional and structural policy funds

The Act on the Funding of Regional Development and the European Union’s Regional and Structural Policy Projects (757/2021, funding act) specifies and complements the national application of the regulations on the funds in the upcoming programming period 2021–2027. The act also applies to the granting and payment of national funds for regional development and the national counterpart funding for the Interreg programmes and Interreg external border cooperation programmes. The Act came into effect on 1 September 2021.

Act on the Funding of Regional Development and the European Union’s Regional and Structural Policy Projects (757/2021, funding act) (in Finnish)

The Government Decree on the Eligibility of Costs Funded by the European Union’s Regional and Structural Policy Funds (eligibility decree) lays down national provisions on the eligibility criteria for the costs of projects funded during the programming period, available cost models, general conditions for the eligibility of costs, eligible costs and key procedures associated with them.

The Government Decree on the Eligibility of Costs Funded by the European Union’s Regional and Structural Policy Funds (eligibility decree) (in Finnish)

The Government Decree on the Funding of Regional Development and the European Union’s Regional and Structural Policy Projects (funding decree) lays down provisions on the uses of support, application for it, decision-making, payment of support, change situations and procedures. 

The Government Decree on the Funding of Regional Development and the European Union’s Regional and Structural Policy Projects (funding decree) (in Finnish)

The eligibility and funding decrees entered into force on 15 October 2021.

Legislation on business subsidies to help growth and development of SMEs

The Act on Discretionary Government Grants for the Development of Business Operations in 2021–2028 (758/2021, Act on Business Subsidies) applies to two grants awarded by the Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres) for the development of business activities: the business development aid and the support for improving companies’ operating environment. The aid programmes will be used for implementing the EU’s regional and structural policy programmes in the programming period 2021–2027 and for nationally funded subsidies. The act will enter into force on 1 November 2021.

Act on Discretionary Government Grants for the Development of Business Operations in 2021–2028 (758/2021, Act on Business Subsidies) (in Finnish)

The Government Decree on Discretionary Government Grants for the Development of Business Operations in 2021–2028 contains further provisions on the maximum amounts of business development aid and the support for improving companies’ operating environment, intended uses of the aid, cost models used in granting the aid, and the European Union’s applicable rules on state aid in granting the aid. 

Government Decree on Discretionary Government Grants for the Development of Business Operations in 2021–2028 (in Finnish)

The Decree will enter into force on 1 November 2021.

Inquiries: 
Jenny Hasu, Special Adviser to the Minister of Economic Affairs, tel. +358 40 658 3510
Johanna Osenius, Director for Regional Development, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 29 506 4937
Anne Juutilainen, Senior Officer, Legal Affairs, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 29 506 4929
(Act and Decree on Business Subsidies) Emmi Äijälä, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 29 504 7216
(Act and Decree on Business Subsidies) Sirpa Hautala, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 063 684