European territorial co-operation

Territorial co-operation 2007–2013 in Northern Finland is based on experiences gained from INTERREG programmes carried on previous programming periods. Previous experiences and targets of the new European cohesion policy are linked together with local history, culture and institutions in order to promote regional cohesion and the growth and jobs agenda.

The development objectives of the European territorial cooperation objective remain more or less the same in the new programming period – balanced development in the border regions, preservation of the attractive business region and habitat, and increased cross-border cooperation. The Regional Council of Oulu Region has utilised the INTERREG initiative to support cross-border projects in previous periods and the joint initiative INTERREG is maintained also in the new programming period. The Council of Oulu Region will act as the Managing and Paying Authority for the Karelia ENPI CBC programme.

In principle, the new INTERREG work is about making borders less of a barrier and encouraging the intensified cultivation of transnational networks. Neighbourhood programmes of the new European Territorial Cooperation replace the former INTERREG III A and Tacis CBCprogrammes.