International Peer Review: Draft Regional Programme aligns with EU goals
The Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council organised an international peer review at the beginning of October together with the Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform. European regional development experts analysed the draft Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Programme for 2026–2029 and provided recommendations for its development and implementation.
Experts from Greece, Germany, Norway, Slovenia and Spain participated in the peer review. They assessed how well the draft programme’s three priorities – an environmentally smart, innovative and happy Helsinki-Uusimaa – respond to the region’s challenges and to current European Union policy trends. Key stakeholders of the Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council also took part in the review, highlighting the importance of the Regional Programme and regional development from their own perspectives.
Happiness makes Helsinki-Uusimaa’s programme unique in Europe
According to the peer reviewers, the draft Regional Programme presents a clear vision. What makes it unique in Europe is that happiness is one of its three main priorities.
The peer review also highlighted the following points:
- The programme’s priorities and objectives are well aligned with EU policies and various programmes. The peers recommended making this alignment more visible.
- Helsinki-Uusimaa remains one of Europe’s innovation leaders, even though its ranking has slightly dropped in the Regional Innovation Scoreboard, which evaluates the innovation performance of European regions.
- Attention should be paid to the indicators in the Regional Innovation Scoreboard where Helsinki-Uusimaa’s ranking has declined. Some of these can be addressed in the new Regional Programme, but other measures will also be needed.
- The impact of the current geopolitical situation should be made more visible in the Regional Programme.
- The use of multi-source financing should be strengthened in the Helsinki-Uusimaa region. Compared to the peer regions, Helsinki-Uusimaa has significantly fewer resources for implementing EU project funding, while in those regions the resources are several times higher.
- Innovation funding has fallen behind research and development funding. Especially in SMEs, too few product and service innovations are being developed, and bringing them to market is a challenge.
Peer review insights for finalising the Regional Programme
Eero Venäläinen, Regional Development Director, expresses his gratitude to the peer reviewers for the valuable insights they provided for finalising and implementing the programme.
– We cannot drive change alone in Helsinki-Uusimaa: it requires cooperation with regional actors, with Finland and with Europe. We have plenty of innovations, but the challenge is bringing them to market and making better use of diverse sources of funding.
The Regional Programme aims to make Helsinki-Uusimaa the happiest, most innovative and environmentally smartest region in Europe
The new Regional Programme sets the direction for the development of Helsinki-Uusimaa for the years 2026–2029. It outlines the region’s opportunities and the conditions for success and guides the allocation of regional project funding.
The programme’s vision is “Helsinki-Uusimaa, a Region of Solutions: The happiest, most innovative and environmentally smartest region in Europe”. The priorities and objectives of the programme support this vision. The programme also includes smart specialisation priorities that guide research, development and innovation.
The Regional Programme will be finalised by the end of 2025. The aim is for the Regional Assembly to approve the final programme in December.
For more information, please contact:
Rosa Tuomi
Senior Adviser
Foresight, education policy, Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Programme
Venla Virkamäki
Innovation Manager
venla.virkamaki@uudenmaanliitto.fi
Development of R&I and international marketing, Strategy for smart specialisation, EU cooperation
Take also a look at these
News
3.11.2025
Director of Public Affairs Mikko Myllymäki aims to strengthen the region’s collective voice and influence, both in Finland and at the EU level
In September, Mikko Myllymäki started as Director of Public Affairs at the Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council. He sees diversity, strong expertise and innovation as the region’s key strengths.
News
23.10.2025
Time to rethink taxation and procurement – the EU needs clear rules for the circular economy
The European Commission is currently preparing new legislation on the circular economy (Circular Economy Act). The Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council and the Uusimaa Circular Hub are taking part in the discussion and have drafted a position paper on the legislative proposal together with stakeholders.