Prerequisites for growth in the entire country are defined in the vision for Southern Finland – Southern Finland is a responsible pioneer
If Southern Finland is doing well, it is a guarantee for the entire country being successful and competitive. There is therefore a need for promoting the interests together in matters which connect the area and its inhabitants. The regions of Southern Finland, that is Southwest Finland, Helsinki-Uusimaa, Päijät-Häme, Kymenlaakso and South Karelia have started joint intense activities for promoting interests and advocacy within the EU. The regions have formulated a joint vision for the future, with a time span until 2040. The area covered makes more than half of Finland’s GDP and its workforce, as well as almost half of its whole population.
– Because of the changes in the operating environment, also the regions in Southern Finland have to reflect upon their own approach, both nationally and internationally, The vision of Southern Finland is based on its regional strengths, intertwining the economy with international sustainable growth and labour immigration. We are ready to encounter the future boldly, with actions to ensure the success of the whole country, Ms Niina Pautola-Mol, Regional Mayor of Päijät-Häme, says.
Six themes have been identified as the developmental spearheads
During the following decades, Southern Finland will innovatively anchor Finland onto international growth and offer the best solutions to reduce the investment barriers in Green Transition. The themes identified together strengthen Finland’s prosperity and security of supply.
– Strong and vital border regions are the best way to ensure a comprehensive security. When it comes to border security, this is highlighted in the southeast parts of Finland and in the Baltic Sea. The harbours in Southern Finland with adjoining infrastructure serve the security of supply. Consequently, we have to take good care of it all, Mr Jaakko Mikkola, Regional Mayor of Kymenlaakso, points out.
Six themes have been identified as the spearheads for development: RDI (Research, Development. Innovation), a competent workforce, transport infrastructure, green transition, comprehensive security and cohesion policy.
1. Solutions for RDI goals to be found in Southern Finland
International clusters with competent personnel ensure renewal. To keep and improve the high standard of competence, Southern Finland is putting a lot of effort on education and the reforming of continuous learning. An efficiently integrated funding model for RDI will be created for the regions, combining both the public and private sector.
2. Southern Finland is successful in the global competition for a skilled workforce
Finland’s population of working age is increasing, due to the immigration to Southern Finland. The increasing of education-based immigration is secured by permitting sales activities of the upper secondary level, as well as of the third-level education. The improvement of competence among all inhabitants, for instance by longer careers, is ensured by investing in continuous learning and a higher level of education.
3. The transport infrastructure in Southern Finland is critically important for securing the national vitality
The international and national reachability is improving, and the most important junctions of freight traffic serve the total security of supply. Sustainable transport solutions are supporting all kinds of mobility in Finland. Investments in green transition are made overall, and despite challenges in geopolitics, the economy is growing.
4. The overall security in Southern Finland is vital for the entire country
The crisis management in Southern Finland is critical for the pulling force of Finland as a whole.
Services strengthening the psychological resilience to crisis in an increasing population are protected. Education is one of these. Finland in its entirety is supported by the total security of supply in its southern parts. The border security of the EU becomes more obvious at the land and sea borders in Southern Finland.
5. Effective regional development is the source of well-being all over Finland.
An increasing flexibility to changes and decreasing regional differences are ensured by cohesion policy. Structural funding is used to decrease the differentiation between sub-areas. Effectiveness is highlighted in the subsidy policy. Success is achieved in labour immigration and internationalization. A strong urban policy leads to growth. The regional councils are important financiers of regional development, as they truly know the regional actors, along with the needs of the operational environment.
+1 A Climate Negative Southern Finland spurring financial growth
The pulling force and competitiveness of Finland are strengthened by the investments in green transition and a fast and fair energy transmission in the south. Southern Finland has the possibility to be a pioneer in circular economy, to increase international export, to utilize the material flows and the possibilities of bioeconomy.
What is the Advisory Board of Southern Finland?
Members of the Advisory Board of Southern Finland are the Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council, the Regional Council of Southwest Finland, the Regional Council of Päijät-Häme, the Regional Council of Kymenlaakso and the Regional Council of South Karelia. The Board furthers the cooperation and promotion of interests between the regions.
The regions take turns in chairing the Board, one year at the time. In 2024, Kymenlaakso is the chairing region. The Advisory Board includes the chairpersons of each Regional Board, as well as two regional Members of Parliaments from different parties. Included are also the Regional Mayors.
For more information, please contact:
Jaakko Mikkola, Regional Mayor, Kymenlaakso Regional Council, +358 40 548 0311
Eero Venäläinen
Director, Regional Development
eero.venalainen@uudenmaanliitto.fi
In charge of regional development work, Deputy Regional Mayor
Take also a look at these
News
25.9.2024
European Committee of the Regions’ ENVE Commission meets in Espoo to discuss the future of EU climate policy
The Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council, in cooperation with the City of Espoo, will host the European Committee of the Regions' Commission for the Environment, Climate Change and Energy (ENVE) on 26-27 September. During the two-day event in Espoo, the Commission will examine the future prospects for EU climate policy.
Articles
24.9.2024
Regional Developer Eero Venäläinen guiding Helsinki-Uusimaa
Mr Eero Venäläinen at the Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council started as the new Regional Development Director at the beginning of August. Our operational environment is undergoing great changes, but he believes in the future.