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12.2.2026 | European Union heads of state and government gathered at Alden Biesen Castle in Belgium on Thursday 12 February to discuss how to boost Europe’s competitiveness and strengthen the single market. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo represented Finland at the informal retreat.

8.5.2023 | Finland is currently constructing a green deal for the circular economy that brings together the most critical sectors and leading experts from Finland. The heart and soul of the green deal are scientific scenarios that are unique in terms of scope and coverage.

23.9.2024 | The mission of the European Partnership Water4All is to support research and innovation projects that will improve global water security in the long term. The theme for the 2024 call that is now open is “Water for Circular Economy”. Funding will be available for international research projects.

5.4.2024 | Finland will feature prominently at the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) in mid-April. A leading country in circular economy, Finland will showcase circular economy innovations and cooperation models. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs will participate in this super week of circular economy.

6.2.2023 | The Ministry of the Environment has published guidelines concerning the priority treatment of projects that promote investments in the green transition in permit procedures. The guidelines are available on the website of the Regional State Administrative Agency. They are intended both for the permit applicants and for the Regional State Administrative Agencies and Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment. 

16.9.2024 | The Ministry of Finance is requesting comments on a bill on a tax credit for large investments aimed at building a climate-neutral economy. The Government decided on the preparation of the tax credit as part of the Government’s growth package in its spending limits session last spring.

11.5.2023 | A new playbook ‘Circular Economy in Consumer Trade’ offers companies in the retail sector information, solutions and examples of how to introduce and implement the sale, rental, maintenance and repair of used products in brick-and-mortar shops and online stores and platforms. The retail sector plays an important role in enabling people to make sustainable consumer choices.

2.5.2023 | The development of Finland’s digitally advanced reference countries is based on long-term policy outlines dating back to the 1990s. There is no single clear success factor or policy measure, finds an international comparison report of policy measures promoting the data and platform economy, published by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment on 2 May 2023.

11.5.2023 | A new playbook ‘Circular Economy in Consumer Trade’ offers companies in the retail sector information, solutions and examples of how to introduce and implement the sale, rental, maintenance and repair of used products in brick-and-mortar shops and online stores and platforms. The retail sector plays an important role in enabling people to make sustainable consumer choices.   

17.2.2023 | Over the last decades Nordic countries have been pioneering green technologies. Together, the Nordics and India can power the green transition the world needs.

23.6.2022 | A report published by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment on 23 June 2022 evaluates the development of international and national funding for the green transition in the coming years and analyses its significance for the renewal of Finnish business and industry.

9.2.2023 | The Government adopted a resolution on hydrogen on 9 February 2023. In its resolution, the Government describes Finland’s objectives regarding hydrogen and the measures to promote them. Finland’s goal is to become the European leader in the hydrogen economy in the entire value chain. Finland has the capacity to produce at least ten per cent of the EU’s emissions-free hydrogen in 2030.

22.3.2022 | In its first issue in 2022, Kauppapolitiikka magazine focuses on industries’ roadmaps towards meeting the climate objectives.

25.5.2023 | Minister of Employment Tuula Haatainen will participate in the Porto Social Forum on 26–27 May 2023. The meeting will discuss the EU’s social dimension, effects of the green and digital transition on the labour market, investments in skills and education, and child poverty.

26.4.2023 | In future, the state will need to play a more active role in steering the economy. According to a study published on 26 April, short-term shocks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, have required the active involvement of states to ensure the sustainability of their economies and societies.

31.7.2023 | The Ministry of the Environment has awarded more than EUR 1.3 million in grants to 15 municipalities and 7 regional councils for studies and land use planning aimed to promote investment projects related to the green transition.

14.6.2022 | Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari will visit New York and Washington DC on 14–17 June 2022. The matters on the agenda of discussions during the visit will include questions relating to UN specialised agencies focusing on development, the security situation in Europe, and commercial cooperation between the two countries, especially in the forest sector.

8.9.2022 | The Government has adopted a government proposal to boost investments in the green transition*. The aim is to reduce Finland’s dependence on fossil energy, increase energy self-sufficiency and move towards an ecologically more sustainable economy. The proposal would prioritise the permit applications concerning investment projects that are important for the green transition in the permit procedu...

22.9.2022 | The European Commission has selected the projects of P2X Solutions Oy and Solar Foods Oy for a new European value chain for hydrogen economy, which will boost the production of clean hydrogen and develop new uses for hydrogen.

6.2.2023 | The Permanent Secretaries of the ministries have drawn up a joint outlook on key issues for Finland’s next two government terms. The report aims to shift the focus from topical themes to a longer-term perspective. The Opportunities for Finland report published on 6 February provides a knowledge base for discussions around the elections this spring and for drawing up the next government programme.

History and buildings History of the Finnish Government The War of Finland in 1808-09 brought the transfer of Finland from Swedish rule to become an autonomous grand duchy of the Russian empire. In 1809 the new Grand Duchy of Finland received its ...

15.6.2023 | Finland’s economic growth is stagnant as rising prices and interest rates reduce demand. Nevertheless, the economy is expected to pick up in the latter part of the year as household purchasing power increases. Investments related to the green transition will further boost growth. The general government deficit will increase this year, and it is not projected to narrow during the outlook period. T...

6.2.2023 | The EU ministers responsible for competitiveness will meet at informal meetings in Stockholm in early February 2023. Thematically, the internal market and industrial policy meeting will focus on the ongoing debate on the EU economy and global competitiveness, especially as concerns the internal market and green transition. The research and innovation meeting will discuss research infrastructures and scientific publication.

24.2.2022 | Minister of Finance Annika Saarikko will represent Finland at the informal meeting of ministers for the economy and finance (Ecofin) to be held in Paris on 25–26 February and in the Eurogroup on 25 February. The security policy situation in Europe will also come up during the meetings.

12.1.2022 | The European Commission wants to increase opportunities for a successful social economy in Europe. The Commission’s interest in the matter is based on the benefits that the social economy can bring for employment and the economy as a whole. The Commission published its action plan for the social economy on 9 December 2021.

17.3.2023 | The climate and ecological crisis and the sustainability gap in general government finances cannot be solved separately. Actions that strengthen general government finances can be targeted so that they systematically take the economy, legislation, taxation, incentives and governance structures towards the green transition. This is the conclusion of the Outlook Review published by the Ministry of the Environment.

7.10.2022 | The four rounds of applications under the Low-carbon Built Environment Programme have provided EUR 13.6 million in funding for projects that promote climate work related to the built environment. At least two more application rounds will be organised, and the next one will begin at the Ministry of the Environment on 17 October 2022. The third application round of Business Finland will be open until the end of October.

14.10.2021 | The Ministers will discuss the experiences gained in research and innovation cooperation between Finland and China and their future. A particular aim is to accelerate joint projects in the fields of low-carbon economy, circular economy, and food and health.

26.5.2021 | On 26 May, the Ministry of Finance published Finland's Sustainable Growth Programme and the Recovery and Resilience Plan it includes. The Government is due to adopt the programme on 27 May.

16.3.2021 | The first meeting of the Nordic Council of Ministers for Digitalisation during Finland’s 2021 Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers discussed the digital green transition and decided on the priorities for cooperation over the next four years. According to Minister Paatero, the Nordic and Baltic countries can serve as an example for mitigating climate change through a value-based, inclusive digital transformation that also boosts competitiveness.

26.5.2021 | On 26 May, the Ministry of Finance published Finland's Sustainable Growth Programme and the Recovery and Resilience Plan it includes. The Government is due to adopt the programme on 27 May.

6.9.2022 | In future, the Ministry of the Environment will focus even more strongly on three themes: comprehensive solutions to the ecological sustainability crisis, leading the green transition and living environments that support wellbeing.

21.5.2021 | On 17 May, the European Commission published a communication on promoting a sustainable blue economy in the EU. The Communication sets out a detailed agenda for the blue economy. A sustainable blue economy is a fundamental part of the broader European Green Deal, which is indispensable for the future of Europe. Sustainable blue economy is not possible without clean and healthy oceans and seas.

9.9.2021 | The GTK Mintec pilot plant and laboratories in Outokumpu, operated by the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK), will get new office and laboratory facilities. This will facilitate the development of sustainable mining and the circular economy to respond to the challenges of climate change, the green transition and digitalisation.

24.6.2026 | Assessing the macroeconomic risks caused by climate change and biodiversity loss requires more advanced analytical methods. Developing these methods, along with tools to evaluate the broader economic impacts of the green transition, remains a significant challenge in Finland and globally. The working group established by the Ministry of Finance proposes measures to strengthen the knowledge base for decision-making.

The amended programme document Interreg AURORA 2021-2027 VERSION 3.0 After reallocation of Interreg NEXT Kolarctic and Interreg NEXT Karelia 1 CCI 2021TC16RFCB027 Title (Interreg VI-A) Sweden-Finland-Norway (AURORA) Version 3.0 First year 2021 Las...

19.5.2026 | 1 Joint Statement: 3rd India-Nordic Summit Oslo, 19 May 2026 1. Today in Oslo, the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, the Acting Prime Minister of Denmark, Ms. Mette Frederiksen, the Prime Minister of Norway, Mr. Jonas Gahr Støre, the Pr...

31.5.2021 | Chile will host two major virtual meetings on the energy sector on 31 May and 3 June 2021. The annual Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) and the Mission Innovation (MI) technology meeting will bring together representatives from 25 major economies and the Nordic countries as well as the EU, the UN and international energy organisations to discuss how to accelerate the transition to clean energy solutions globally. Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä will represent Finland at the meetings.

12.5.2026 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo will represent Finland at the India-Nordic Summit in Oslo on Tuesday 19 May. On the same day, the Nordic prime ministers will also hold their own meeting on topical foreign and security policy issues.

EN 1 EN SFC2021 INTERREG Programme CCI 2021TC16RFCB013 Title (Interreg VI-A) Finland-Estonia-Latvia-Sweden (Central Baltic) Version 3.0 First year 2021 Last year 2027 Eligible from 1 Jan 2021 Eligible until 31 Dec 2029 EC decision number C(2023)38...

13.4.2026 | According to the new report, Finnish companies are reducing their emissions globally by substituting for more polluting alternatives. At the publication event of the report on the positive carbon handprint, Minister of Climate and the Environment Sari Multala stressed that the export of clean solutions is both a climate action and a growth opportunity for Finland.

19.5.2026 | The prime ministers of the Nordic countries and India agreed to establish a strategic partnership on green technologies and innovation at the India-Nordic Summit in Oslo on Tuesday 19 May. The leaders identified opportunities for cooperation in areas such as clean and climate-friendly solutions and in the 6G, space technology and artificial intelligence sectors. Finland was represented at the Summit by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.

19.6.2026 | EU heads of state or government urged Russia to engage in negotiations leading to a lasting peace as the European Council met in Brussels on 18 and 19 June. Leaders also focused in particular on global economic challenges, the situation in the Middle East and the EU’s next multiannual financial framework for 2028–2034. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo represented Finland at the meeting.

4.5.2026 | Prime Minister Orpo represented Finland at the eighth summit of the European Political Community (EPC) in the Armenian capital of Yerevan on Monday 4 May. The theme of the summit was building the future through unity and stability in Europe.

7.5.2026 | Based on the 2025 hydrogen auction of its Innovation Fund, the European Commission has selected nine projects that will proceed to agreement negotiations. Among them is the Cloudberry project of Finland’s Vetyalfa Oy. The Commission published the results of the auction on 7 May 2026.

28.2.2025 | The final report of the Room for Growth project led by CEO Risto Murto contains 41 proposals for boosting economic growth and finding new ways to do business. The most important proposals have to do with supporting renewal in the business sector.

16.6.2026 | President of the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Alvaro Lario will visit Helsinki on 16–17 June. The topics on the agenda are Finland’s cooperation with IFAD and global food security.

20.11.2025 | On Thursday 20 November, the Government submitted its proposal to Parliament to amend the budget proposal for 2026. It includes proposals to launch new transport projects and to support Ukraine. The proposal will decrease the revenue estimate by EUR 189 million and increase the requirement for appropriations by EUR 455 million.

22.1.2026 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo will visit Beijing, China, on 25–28 January. On Tuesday 27 January, Prime Minister Orpo will meet with President of China Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Li Qiang, who is hosting the official visit, and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Zhao Leji. The purpose of the visit is to continue dialogue with the Chinese leadership and to promote business opportunities for Finland in China.

15.12.2025 | The EU environment ministers will meet in Brussels on Tuesday 16 December. The ministers will exchange views on the new EU Bioeconomy Strategy published by the Commission on 27 November. The agenda also includes conclusions on the EU’s 8th environment action programme. Minister of Climate and the Environment Sari Multala will represent Finland at the meeting.

12.2.2026 | On 12 February 2026, the Government submitted three communications concerning proposals included in the European Commission’s Automotive Package to Parliament. On 30 January 2026, the Government also submitted a Europe communication regarding the Commission’s proposal to amend the EU Regulation on the CO2 emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles.

24.11.2025 | The Nordic Baltic Youth Summit will be held in Finland for the first time. The summit participants will draft policy recommendations addressing challenges related to the green transition and youth employment and submit them to Minister of Youth, Sport and Physical Activity Mika Poutala.

6.10.2025 | Biodiversity is declining in Europe. Emissions have been reduced, but the pace is not fast enough. The recent report of the European Environment Agency EEA explores the state of the environment in Europe, including Finland’s challenges and success stories. The report stresses that, in the end, all human activities depend on nature.

24.10.2025 | Finland’s circular economy solutions and active role in developing nature funding for companies were strongly highlighted at the European Business & Nature Summit 2025 in Helsinki. In connection with the event, Minister Multala met Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall and Eric Mamer, Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment.

15.11.2024 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has launched the Room for Growth project to come up with ideas for new ways to boost economic growth. As part of the project, a discussion event will be held on Tuesday 19 November at 15.00–16.30 at Aalto University. The event will be streamed live and released as a recording on the government video service.

4.11.2025 | On 3 November 2025, the European Commission announced that 61 projects had been selected for funding under the latest Innovation Fund call for net-zero technologies. The projects will receive a total of EUR 2.9 billion in support. Five Finnish projects are among those selected: NotNukeOne, SCOOP, MAGHYC, NEXT HYDROMET and SB-VARKAUS.

10.12.2025 | A new OECD report, prepared at the request of the European Commission, sets out a roadmap to strengthen resilience, competitiveness and security in Finland’s eastern border regions. The report was launched in Helsinki on 10 December.

26.5.2025 | On Monday 26 May, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah and two Members of the European Commission opened the New Wood exhibition in Brussels where Finland showcases bioeconomy solutions based on wood and the country’s strong competence and skills.

16.9.2025 | 15 September 2025 Ursula von der Leyen President of the European Commission BRUSSELS Dear Ursula, First, we would like to thank you for your interest in the Finnish and Swedish forest sectors. We truly appreciate the good cooperation that we have ...

17.3.2025 | The impacts of both climate change and biodiversity loss can be seen in the daily lives of most Finns. This is the conclusion to be made from the answers to the 2025 Climate and Nature Barometers. In municipal policy green investments are identified as sources of vitality, but opinions diverge with respect to their environmental impacts. Climate solutions are considered to boost Finland’s competitiveness.