Commission adopts Finland’s regional and structural policy programme for 2021–2027

The European Commission has approved the EU regional and structural policy programme, Innovation and Skills in Finland 2021–2027, and Finland’s partnership agreement among the first in the whole EU. The programme promotes the vitality, employment and wellbeing of the regions. The partnership agreement describes the strategic direction and mutual coordination of different funds.

The Commission published information on the adoption of the agreement and programme at the launch of the new programming period in Helsinki on 12 May 2022. 

The new programming period will provide significant resources to Finland to implement its long-term growth and renewal objectives.

“The EU’s regional and structural policy can create change. The key task of the Innovation and Skills in Finland programme is to strengthen the innovation capacity and business in all regions of our country. Innovations, climate change and accelerating digitalisation require that all of us update our skills. The programme provides tools for regions, companies and us all to respond to current challenges. Our society must be developed so that no one falls by the wayside,” says Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä.

“The programme’s resources can also minimise the direct and indirect impacts that the war in Ukraine and related sanctions have on the economies, employment and people’s wellbeing in the regions,” Lintilä says.

“I am happy to see that the Partnership Agreement with Finland for 2021–2027 has been approved. Cohesion policy funds will support Finland to enhance its innovation systems and master the green and digital transition. They will also significantly help the country to reach its ambitious goal of climate neutrality by 2035. With the adoption of the three operational programmes covered in the Partnership Agreement, it is important to launch as soon as possible the projects on the ground, which will also mobilise the much-needed post-pandemic investment and balance regional inequalities”, says Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms Elisa Ferreira.

Fifth programming period for Finland

The EU’s regional and structural policy aims to even out differences in regional development and wellbeing and to promote the sustainable growth and competitiveness of the Member States. The EU’s regional and structural policy programming period for 2021–2027 is the fifth programming period in which Finland participates. 

Funding from the Innovation and Skills in Finland 2021–2027 programme will be used to renew the economic structure of the regions and to support the research, development and innovation activities of companies. The programme promotes employment and skills development and improves the inclusion of young people and those in the most vulnerable position. The cross-cutting priorities of the programme are sustainable development, gender equality, non-discrimination, digital development, internationalisation, climate change and innovation. The total amount of project funding available in Finland is around EUR 3 billion.

Project funding is available from regional councils, ELY Centres and the Finnish Food Authority. The first calls for applications are already under way. All open calls for project applications are published in the eura2021.fi web service.

The funding comes from three complementary funds: The European Social Fund (ESF+), the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Just Transition Fund (JTF). The measures of the Just transition Fund will be included in the programme separately through a later programme amendment.

Inquiries:
Mari Kokko, Special Adviser to Minister of Economic Affairs, tel. +358 40 521 2124 
Johanna Osenius, Director for Regional Development, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 29 506 4937