Policy change opens up EU funding for West Railway
The European Union is currently preparing its financial framework for the years 2028–2034. One part of this is the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), an EU programme that supports cross-border transport projects. The proposed new budget for the programme is €81 billion. The CEF regulation proposal published last summer included only one rail project from Finland: the Oulu–Luleå line. No projects from southern Finland were included on the list, even though several rail links are planned in the region to improve Finland’s accessibility and support economic growth.
Ministers responsible from the EU member states met on Monday, 15 December, to discuss, among other things, the Council’s position on the future CEF programme. As a result of the meeting, Finland saw a major positive development, as the Tallinn–Helsinki–Tampere and Helsinki–Turku–Stockholm connections were added to the list of CEF priorities. It is very important for transport projects to be included on the CEF list, as this gives them the opportunity to apply for EU funding.
“We received excellent news, as the major projects in southern Finland were included on the CEF priority list. This kind of funding opportunity opens up only rarely for us,” says Tuija Telén, Regional Mayor of Helsinki-Uusimaa, and thanks everyone who contributed to this positive outcome.
“We have worked together in a focused and determined way on this issue for several years. Next, we need to make sure that the Airport Line, West Railway and the Tallinn connection are ready for future applications for EU funding,” says Telén.
Being included on the priority list does not automatically mean funding, but it provides a strong opportunity to compete for EU transport funding. Only projects with a high level of maturity can receive this support. This is a decisive turning point for projects such as West Railway, which could receive up to half of its total funding from the EU under the new proposal.
Jarno Limnell, President of the Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Board, also sees the decision as a major win for Finland and for advocacy work in the region.
“Finland’s major transport projects are important not only nationally, but also for European security and security of supply in the north. They are also vital for Finland’s economic growth,” Limnell says.
Tuija Telén, Regional Mayor of Helsinki-Uusimaa, says that Finland’s current and future governments must now share a common vision for the country’s accessibility. Major transport projects in Finland must be developed to a level where they can compete successfully for EU funding.
For more information, please contact:
Jarno Limnell
President of the Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Board
Tuija Telén
Regional Mayor
tuija.telen@uudenmaanliitto.fi
In charge of Council activities, finances and administration, preparation of items to be processed by Regional Board
Appointment bookings: Assistant Hanne Koljonen, phone: +358 40 552 3152
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