Good results of the EU programming period: Finland made full use of EU regional funding

The fourth programming period of EU structural funds for Finland ended at the end of last year. Finland made full use of the funding provided by the EU, including additional funding from the EU recovery package. The ‘Sustainable growth and jobs’ programme invested EUR 3 billion in the vitality of Finnish regions to promote the success of companies, RDI activities and citizens.

More than 12,000 projects funded by the programme have boosted the growth, competitiveness and internationalisation of 4,500 SMEs across Finland. Support for regional research and development activities has increased cooperation between different operators, leading to innovations and new information that local companies can use and commercialise. Efforts have been made to mitigate climate change by promoting the low-carbon and circular economy. With programme funding, more than 10,000 new jobs have been created across Finland. At its best, programme funding supports the key areas of regional development strategically and in the long term beyond the programming periods.

The projects have boosted the access of young people to education and, together with companies, improved the skills of employees especially in growth sectors. The projects to find employment for older people were particularly successful during this programming period. Moreover, the work ability and functional capacity of young people and other vulnerable persons as well as their everyday life management skills and inclusion have been supported in many ways.

“We have managed to produce impacts that are many times higher than their size with EU funding. Through the Sustainable growth and jobs programme, we strengthened the vitality of Finnish regions and utilised the funding successfully. The same active approach to channelling EU funding to Finland will also be needed in the future, so we will make full use of the current EU programme,” says Minister of Economic Affairs Wille Rydman.

The ‘Sustainable growth and jobs’ programme 2014–2020 was financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF). Public funding (EU, central government, municipalities) paid to the projects totalled EUR 2.94 billion, in addition to private funding of EUR 1.6 billion. Programme funding was granted by ELY Centres, regional councils, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, and Business Finland. Applications for EU funding are currently accepted under the ‘Innovation and Skills in Finland’ programme.

Inquiries:

Johanna Osenius, Director of Regional Development, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 064 937
Valtteri Karhu, Chief Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 047 209

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