EUR 357 million is allocated to support regional growth and vitality

On 6 March 2025, the Government decided on the allocation of funds under ‘Innovation and Skills in Finland 2021–2027’, the EU’s Regional and Structural Policy Programme, for 2025. At the same time, the Government made decisions on the allocation of funds from the 2021–2027 Interreg programmes for 2025.

In all, approximately EUR 351 million of ERDF, ESF+ and JTF funding was allocated to regional councils and ELY Centres. The Regional Council of Lapland and the Regional Council of Uusimaa received a total of EUR 6 million to finance Interreg programme projects.

“The funds from the ‘Innovation and Skills in Finland’ programme can be used in various ways to promote new growth and to support work opportunities and the regeneration of economic structures in the regions. Eastern and northern Finland are key areas for the funding, which can help meet the special needs of border regions,” says Minister of Economic Affairs Wille Rydman.

Under the ‘Innovation and Skills in Finland’ programme, funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is used for research and development activities, the growth and competitiveness of SMEs, energy efficiency, climate change adaptation and the circular economy, as well as local transport projects in eastern and northern Finland. Meanwhile, projects of the European Social Fund (ESF+) funded by the programme support employment, education and the prevention of social exclusion. In the programming period 2021–2027, funding will also be provided to projects of the Just Transition Fund (JTF) that mitigate the harmful socio-economic effects of halving the energy use of peat.

Demand for funding in all priority areas of the programme has been high. By the end of 2024 more than 5,300 projects were granted funding from the programme. Funding decisions for the programme are made by the ELY Centres, regional councils and the Finnish Food Authority.

Inquiries:
Päivi Poikola, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 047 278 (allocation of funding authorisations)
Harri Ahlgren, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 064 930 (European Regional Development Fund ERDF)
Valtteri Karhu, Chief Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 047 209 (European Social Fund Plus ESF+)
Anni Salmi, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 047 228 (Just Transition Fund JTF)
Petri Haapalainen, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 064 922 (Interreg)