The First 100 Days: How the New European Commission Shapes Helsinki-Uusimaa and European Regions
The new European Commission, led by President Ursula von der Leyen for a second term, took office on December 1, 2024, making the beginning of the EU’s next policy phase. In its early days, the Commission has set stage for its agenda such as the Competitiveness Compass, the 2025 Work Programme, the consultation for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the Clean Industrial Deal. These efforts center on competitiveness, sustainability, security, and simplification.
As the 100-day milestone approaches, it is an opportune moment for us to assess the emerging policy signals and consider their implications for Helsinki-Uusimaa. More importantly, as regional developers, we need to ask: How can Helsinki-Uusimaa — along with other European regions and cities — strategically position itself to create future development and actively shape EU and national policies in an inclusive and timely manner?
Strengthening Europe’s Global Competitiveness: Where Does Helsinki-Uusimaa Stand?
With the release of the Commission’s Competitive Compass, it is widely recognized that the Commission’s top priority is to enhance the EU’s global competitiveness and close the innovation gap by accelerating AI adoption and deep-tech innovation. On this front, Helsinki-Uusimaa Region already has a thriving startup ecosystem and world-class research institutions, providing a strong foundation. For example, initiatives such as Kvanttinova are advancing quantum and AI technologies. However, the competition for funding is fierce, and attracting top talent remains challenging for Helsinki-Uusimaa and Europe. We must strengthen our conditions as an attractive destination and appeal to innovators and investors worldwide.
We must strengthen our conditions as an attractive destination and appeal to innovators and investors worldwide.
The EU’s push for faster decarbonization —outlined in the Clean Industrial Deal published on 26th February —presents a significant opportunity for Helsinki-Uusimaa. With established expertise in green technologies, the circular economy, and sustainable urban development as demonstrated by Missions Adaption to Climate Change, Climate Neutral and Smart Cities as well as the Helsinki-Uusimaa Circular Hub, the region is well-positioned to lead the transition. However, ensuring that the EU’s regulatory framework and funding mechanisms support cost-effective, high impact decarbonization projects will be crucial. Access to EU funding for energy innovation, industrial transformation, and sustainable mobility will determine whether Helsinki-Uusimaa remains at the forefront of Europe’s green transition.
Another key concern in retaining competitiveness is securing access to critical raw materials and strengthening supply chains to reduce dependencies, enhancing economic security. Since Helsinki-Uusimaa lacks significant domestic reserves of these materials, the region must focus on circular economy solutions, digital innovations and strategic nearshoring partnerships within the EU to boost supply chain resilience. The challenge lies in ensuring that new EU policies generate opportunities for innovation-driven ecosystems rather than concentrating benefits in large industrial hubs.
Simplifying Regulation: A Policy Shift That Works for Us
A key promise of the new Commission is to reduce bureaucratic complexity and improve access to EU funding—a potential game-changer for regions like Helsinki-Uusimaa. As outlined in the 2025 Work Programme and the newly published Omnibus Simplification Packages, Commission aims to cut reporting obligations by 25% (and by 35% for SMEs). Additionally, the withdrawal of overly complex legislative proposals, such as AI liability and digital privacy regulations and sustainability reporting, is a welcome step toward reducing legal uncertainty.
Streamlining access to EU funds can significantly benefit startups, SMEs, universities, and research institutions. However, simplification must be designed to ensure that emerging innovators are not disadvantaged in favor of well-established players. A well-balanced regulatory framework is essential to prevent loopholes that could lead to unfair competition while maintaining accessibility for new entrants in research and innovation funding.
Moreover, concerns have been raised that certain simplification measures introduced in the first Omnibus Package may slow down efforts toward decarbonization and weaken the EU’s commitment to its climate targets. It is crucial to ensure that funding reforms support both innovation and sustainability, avoiding trade-offs that could undermine long-term climate goals.
The Next EU Budget: What’s at Stake for Our Regions?
The Commission’s Roadmap to the Next MFF (2028-2034) proposes a more agile and simplified budget structure to address geopolitical, economic, and climate challenges. The restructuring envisions three main funding streams:
- National Envelopes – Funds allocated to each Member State under a “one country, one plan” model.
- The European Competitiveness Fund – A consolidated fund supporting research, innovation, and industrial scaling.
- External Action Financing – Focused on EU global partnerships and external policies.
Each of these presents both opportunities and challenges for Helsinki-Uusimaa.
Under the National Envelope model, each Member State would design and implement national investment plans in collaboration with regional and local authorities. Helsinki-Uusimaa advocates for a funding model that reflects the proportional and impact-driven contributions of regions to economic growth, innovation, and sustainability. As Finland’s most populous and innovative region, Helsinki-Uusimaa plays a critical role in driving the country’s—and Europe’s—progress. It is essential that national allocations recognize this contribution and ensure fair access to EU funding. Our recent Cohesion Policy Position Paper underscores the need for an inclusive decision-making structure and calls for a system where regions and cities are involved in the planning and implementation, ensuring the funding model integrates regional and local priorities.
The European Competitiveness Fund aims to streamline EU support for research, innovation, and industrial scaling. While Helsinki-Uusimaa is well-positioned to compete, securing funding will be highly competitive, with well-established innovation actors often having an advantage. A more impact-driven approach to funding distribution would enable broader regional participation and ensure that resources go to projects with the highest potential to advance Europe’s strategic goals. A key concern is the potential absorption of the Horizon Europe Framework Programme (FP10) into the Competitiveness Fund, which could undermine research excellence.
Between 2021 and 2024, Helsinki-Uusimaa secured over €726 million in EU funding—more than all other Finnish regions combined. Competitive EU funding is vital for leading institutions such as VTT, LUKE, and the Universities of Helsinki and Aalto. Maintaining a substantial budget for FP10 and safeguarding research and innovation funds from being diverted to other policy areas will be critical.
While External Action Financing may not directly impact Helsinki-Uusimaa’s core priorities, international collaboration in security and defense could create new opportunities for businesses and researchers. Strengthening strategic alliances with global partners can unlock new markets and funding streams.
Join the Conversation: Shaping EU Policy as One
The coming years will determine how Europe competes on the global stage, the allocation of EU funding, and the evolution of regulation. As a high-performing innovation region, Helsinki-Uusimaa seeks to move beyond adaptation and actively shape policies influence its future.
Helsinki-Uusimaa’s efforts include:
Ensuring fair funding in Finland’s national EU budget planning
We are engaging national policymakers to ensure that Helsinki-Uusimaa’s innovation and sustainability objectives will be reflected in Finland’s One Country, One Plan framework. Our position on the future of Cohesion Policy underscores the importance of a fair and forward-looking funding approach.
Pushing for proportional, impact-driven funding
Helsinki-Uusimaa advocates for cohesion policies that support high-performing regions for their contributions to economic growth and innovation. Have your say by contributing to the European Commission’s Public consultation on the next MFF: Implementing EU funding with Member States and regions, open until 6 May 2025.
Securing a strong, standalone Horizon Programme with abundant funding
A well-funded and independent Horizon Programme (FP10) is crucial for sustaining Europe’s leadership in research excellence and breakthrough innovation. We advocate for a dedicated research and innovation budget and FP10 that ensures Europe remains a global leader in science, technology, and industrial competitiveness.
Strengthening the EU’s Startup and Scale-Up Strategy
Ensuring that emerging companies, particularly in AI, biotech, and quantum technologies, receive targeted support to scale and compete globally. We invite you to join us by contributing to the consultation Towards an EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy, open until 17 March 2025.
Positioning Helsinki-Uusimaa for the European Competitiveness Fund
As the EU explores consolidating research, innovation, and competitive programmes under a single fund, Helsinki-Uusimaa advocates for strong regional innovation ecosystems in strategic sectors such as green technology, AI, quantum, and life sciences. Long-term efforts will focus on securing competitive funding streams for high-impact projects that drive sustainable growth for the region and Finland.
While it is difficult to predict the full trajectory of EU policies based on the first 100 days, there are still 1,725 days on which the agenda and its direction could shift. As a well-developed and innovation-driven region, Helsinki-Uusimaa and many of us must do more to ensure our policy choices and investments today will lead to future competitiveness, sustainability and resilience in our regions and the EU.
How are you preparing for EU policy shifts in your decisions and policymaking? Which of these topics resonates with you? I invite you to connect with and share your insights with us and shape the development agendas in our regions and the EU.
The EU is listening—let’s make sure our collective voice is heard.
The EU is listening—let’s make sure our collective voice is heard.
Beyond Helsinki-Uusimaa
Beyond Helsinki-Uusimaa is a blog series that takes a closer look into the megatrends, initiatives, partnerships, and frameworks shaping the Helsinki-Uusimaa Region beyond its borders. The series explores why and how the region is positioning itself as an influential player within EU networks and global innovation ecosystems, now and in the future.
Christine Chang
The writer works as a Senior Advisor on EU Affairs. With over a decade of experience in Taiwan, the USA, and Finland, she leads EU-funded initiatives, driving sustainable growth and innovation in Helsinki-Uusimaa and across Europe.
Contact information:
+358 44 353 3014, christine.chang@uudenmaanliitto.fi
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