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.
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. 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 of them, and it should be noticed in the decision-making of the EU, Mr Janne Leino, Head of Helsinki EU Office, states.
For more information, please contact:
Janne Leino
Head of Helsinki EU Office
In charge of the Office
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