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The Low-carbon Built Environment Programme contributes to the implementation of the Finnish Sustainable Growth Programme, which is part of the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The objective of the programme is to mitigate and adapt to climate change and to find and implement low-carbon solutions in the built environment.

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 ...

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...

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...

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

23.5.2025 | The OECD sees vast potential for clean economic growth in Finland. However, structural reforms will be required to realise this potential. Among other things, the OECD recommends that Finland boost higher education, attract high-skilled immigrants and improve incentives for investments. Further adjustments to public finances are necessary due to rising defence spending.

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.

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.

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...

11.4.2025 | On Friday 11 April, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs discussed the ReArm Europe Plan, measures to simplify EU regulation, the state aid framework in the Clean Industrial Deal and the ‘stop-the-clock’ proposal, which is part of the Commission’s Omnibus I package.

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.

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.

7.6.2024 | The European Investment Fund (EIF) has finalised agreements with eight leading banks and financial institutions in Finland to assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), small mid-caps and housing companies. The agreements will facilitate around €1 billion in lending to invest in projects that promote Finland’s climate objectives and environmental sustainability.

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.

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.

30.5.2024 | EU Energy Ministers will meet in Brussels on May 30. The aim is to adopt the Council conclusions on promoting sustainable electricity network infrastructure. The ministers will also discuss the future of the REPowerEU plan and the status of the Green Deal. Finland will be represented at the meeting by Minister of Climate and the Environment Kai Mykkänen.

13.6.2024 | Minister of Climate and the Environment Kai Mykkänen meets Polis on 13 June in Helsinki.

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.

26.4.2024 | According to the joint statement of the For Forest group composed of four forested countries of the European Union, a sustainable bioeconomy must be at the core of the next European Commission’s Work Programme. A total of 16 EU Member States have joined the statement of Finland, Sweden, Austria and Slovenia to be discussed at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on Monday 29 April.

12.4.2024 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and other EU Heads of State or Government met for a discussion on the next EU Strategic Agenda on Thursday 11 April in Warsaw. In addition to Orpo, the Prime Ministers of Estonia, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, Poland and Spain attended the dinner meeting.

13.3.2023 | At their meeting on 13 March, the EU social affairs and employment ministers will discuss the labour market situation of temporarily displaced Ukrainians and the situation of children. The ministers will also exchange views on the European Semester for economic policy coordination and the related sustainable growth survey and joint employment report.

1.3.2023 | In a joint letter to the presidents of the European Commission and European Council, Finland and nine other EU Member States call for a long-term strategy to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness and global influence. The countries hope that the European Council can adopt the strategy this spring. The European Council will discuss the European economy and competitiveness in its meeting at the end of March.

17.5.2023 | A decision on the overall level of business subsidy expenditure could serve as a tool for maintaining policy discipline. A clear exit strategy is needed to abolish the more flexible state aid rules. According to the annual report of the Research Division on Business Subsidies published on 17 May 2023, R&D activities should be expanded to more sectors and aid policy should be targeted more efficiently in order to achieve the R&D objectives.

23.10.2023 | The EU General Affairs Council (GAC) will meet in Luxembourg on Tuesday 24 October. The meeting will focus mainly on preparations for the October European Council. The GAC will also continue its annual rule of law dialogue with country-specific discussions. Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Anders Adlercreutz will represent Finland at the meeting.

17.3.2023 | On 16 March 2023, the Commission issued legislative proposals to promote climate neutral “net zero technologies” and the availability of critical raw materials. Both proposals aim to speed up the green transition and strengthen the EU’s self-sufficiency. Technologies that accelerate the green transition are at the heart of global technological competition. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment will organise a consultation on the proposals for stakeholders on 28 March 2023.

29.11.2021 | Sustainable Growth Programme for Finland The key to Finnish recovery and resilience Timetable for RRP preparations 29.11.20212 | Sept Oct–Nov Nov Jan Feb Mar Apr Coordination group between ministries set up Consultations with stakeholders Report t...

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.

25.5.2023 | There are major differences between regions, sectors and companies concerning future expectations. Some regions anticipate a slowdown in growth, but others already see positive signs emerging in the future. These are the conclusions from the recently published Regional Development Prospects.

10.10.2022 | Minister of Finance Annika Saarikko will attend the annual meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington on 13–15 October. The Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action will also meet on 12 October, and Minister Saarikko will chair the meeting.

5.10.2023 | The Government approved the proposal for the REPowerEU chapter of Finland’s Recovery and Resilience Plan. The chapter includes measures to speed up environmental permit procedures, research on clean energy and investments in the clean transition.

24.10.2022 | Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari will visit Saudi Arabia and Qatar from 24 to 27 October 2022. During his visit, Minister Skinnari will meet Saudi Arabian and Qatari ministers and representatives of business life. In addition, he will deliver a keynote address at the international Future Investment Initiative Forum (FII), which will be held in Riyadh on from 25 to 27 October.

5.9.2023 | Finland is using new REPowerEU funding to promote the transition to clean energy. The Ministry of Finance is requesting comments on its proposal for projects to be funded.

15.9.2023 | On Friday, 15 September, the Finnish Government’s Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland’s positions on the EU Regulation on the establishment of a framework to facilitate sustainable investment (Taxonomy Regulation) and the Commission communication on a sustainable finance framework. In addition, the Ministerial Committee outlined Finland’s positions on Spain’s request...

3.3.2023 | Prime Minister Sanna Marin and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez met today in Helsinki. In their meeting, discussions focused on measures to strengthen the EU’s strategic economy and other major issues in EU policy, the war in Ukraine, and Finland’s deepening allyship as the country becomes a member of NATO.

12.9.2022 | How do we guide Finland forward in the midst of global uncertainty? Ministries’ futures review provides tools for decision-makers Ministry of Defence Publication date 12.9.2022 12.06 Type: Press release Government Communications Department, Minist...

23.3.2023 | The Finnish economy will return to growth at the end of the year following a mild recession, barring new surprises. However, the general government deficit will grow as rising prices begin to be reflected in general government expenditure according to the economic survey published by the Ministry of Finance on 23 March.

9.11.2022 | Prime Minister Sanna Marin and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas will attend a seminar on cooperation between Finland and Estonia at the House of the Estates in Helsinki on Tuesday 15 November. Other Finnish and Estonian ministers will also attend the event.

12.9.2022 | The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine and accelerating climate change have led to a situation in Finland and globally where the future seems rather uncertain. In the midst of uncertainty, decision-making is difficult. Finland will hold parliamentary elections in spring 2023, and the new Government Programme will outline policies for the next few years.

14.4.2023 | The Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action will discuss financing the green transition and strengthening the role of finance ministries in climate work this Friday in Washington. The ministers will publish a practical guide to help ministries implement climate measures.

7.9.2023 | The purpose of the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) is to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy by supporting the development of critical technologies and products. Another aim is to ensure the availability of necessary labour and skills in strategic sectors. While the Finnish Government supports the facility’s objective, it does not endorse a completely new EU-level financial instrument.

2.11.2022 | Minister of Economic Affairs Lintilä will visit Germany, one of Finland’s most important trading partners, in November. During his visit, the Minister will speak at an event hosted by the German-Finnish Chamber of Commerce and meet with representatives of German and Finnish companies.

22.3.2023 | On Wednesday 22 March, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland’s positions for the European Council meeting, the Euro Summit and the meeting of the EU Energy Council, and discussed the proposal for a regulation on CO2 emission standards for new heavy-duty vehicles.

15.8.2022 | In their meeting in Oslo on Monday 15 August, the prime ministers of the Nordic countries confirmed that they would further develop their cooperation on defence and security. As Finland and Sweden become members of NATO, the Nordic countries will become allied partners, which opens up new opportunities for cooperation. The new security situation in Northern Europe also featured prominently in the Nordic prime minsters’ discussion with German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

11.3.2020 | Minister Mikkonen: Commission Action Plan for the Circular Economy an important opening to solve the sustainability crisis – Designing durable and easy-to-repair products Ministry of the Environment Publication date 11.3.2020 9.27 Type: Press rele...

8.3.2023 | The meeting agenda will also include global health and the EU’s competitiveness. Finland is represented by the Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari.

11.5.2022 | Prime Minister Sanna Marin gave a keynote speech at a high-level seminar exploring the impacts of digitalisation on society in Tokyo on 11 May 2022. Prime Minister’s speech to be checked against delivery.