Helsinki-Uusimaa joined declaration on EU cohesion policy

The Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council took part in a meeting of the Power Regions of Europe on 20 November 2024 in Brussels. These regions are the most competitive and wealthy in Europe. At the meeting, a declaration by the Group was presented as to the EU cohesion policy from 2028 onwards.

The focus of the declaration lies on the future cohesion policy supporting all European regions and speaking for the strong role of them in planning and implementation. The regions that have signed the declaration state that the cohesion policy should first and foremost support regional competitiveness and growth.

– In Helsinki-Uusimaa the cohesion funds are already used for supporting competitiveness and growth, innovations are furthered to speed up green transition and digital transition. This should be one of the main targets of cohesion policy in the future. To ensure the acknowledgement of the difference in regional needs, regions should be given a strong role in planning and implementing the future funding of cohesion policy. It is of vital importance for the European competitiveness and business that our cohesion policy enables competitive regions to continue to develop and new innovations will be found, Mr Markku Markkula, President of the Board at the Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council, says.

Cohesion policy should first and foremost support regional competitiveness and growth.

The European Commission is currently preparing the funding frame for the budget period 2028–2034. Changes are expected in the cohesion policy and in funds subject to it. These changes can be significant regarding how much cohesion funds Helsinki-Uusimaa can receive during the following funding period.

– Changes in the EU budget have been mentioned in the political guidelines published by the newly established Commission. According to rumors, the largest part of the budget, including the cohesion funding, will be coordinated into one and single national envelope for each state to decide upon. At the minute, it is important to have an impact on what criteria the future Commission will give the member states for the allocation of this money, Mr Janne Leino, Head of Helsinki EU Office, states.

The Helsinki-Uusimaa Region is strengthening the competitiveness and growth of entire Finland, but important challenges find their way there, as well.

– Unemployment is one major challenge, and it should be noticed in the decision-making of the EU, Mr Leino adds.

Read more: Power Regions of Europe Declaration

For more information, please contact:

Janne Leino
Director of Helsinki EU Office
+32 4755 30 223
janne.leino@helsinki.eu

Rosa Kotoaro
Deputy Director & Senior Advisor, EU Affairs
+32 490 111 659
rosa.kotoaro@helsinki.eu