The joint meeting of the Regional Councils of Mainland Finland was held in Turku on 14 May 2024. The 18 regional federations of Finland issued a joint statement on the preparation of the cultural policy report. The purpose of the preparation of the Cultural Policy Report launched by Prime Minister Orpo's Government is to produce an ambitious vision for the future, which will enable the long-term development of Finland's artistic and cultural policy. In addition to the vision of the future, the report presents the actions that will be taken to achieve the objectives. The aim of cultural activities is to support people's opportunities for creative expression and activities, as well as for making and experiencing culture and art, to promote equal opportunities and participation of all population groups in culture, art and education, to strengthen the well-being and health of the population, as well as inclusion and communality, and to create the conditions for the development of vitality.  All provinces want to be involved in this work. The main points of the provincial federations' statement are the following: Art and culture are jobs and livelihoods. The diverse job description of creative professionals must be recognised and taken into account in working life and society's systems. The prerequisites for liberal adult education, basic arts education and cultural education must be ensured in order to realise positive future development. Art and culture must be supported equally throughout Finland. The ability of municipalities to provide high-quality cultural services also in small municipalities and rural areas requires long-term planning and financial support from the state.   Read the full statement of the Regional Councils of Mainland Finland (pdf).   Additional information: Regional Director Jyrki Kaiponen +358 40 140 8995, steep.kaiponen@keski-pohjanmaa.fi Regional Director Jussi Rämet+358 40 586 3877, jussi.ramet@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi

The Finnish provinces take a position on the Act on the Use of Territories and appeal to the future government that any legislative reform must be based on updating and supplementing the current, effective Act. The provincial statement has been made available to the government negotiators.  If a legislative reform is implemented, it must be based on real, identified needs and challenges, and on tried and tested case-law. The reform must focus on streamlining and streamlining zoning within the current planning system, the statement states. This will also allow for the prompt promotion of the investments and projects required for the green transition.  The Construction Act and the Act on the Information System for the Built Environment have already been adopted on the comprehensive reform of the Land Use and Building Act. The remaining part of the whole is now the Land Use Act.  The role of the regional plan in the legislative reform must be strengthened, not weakened. The regional plan is the only plan level in much of Finland. It is an agile planning tool that enables new land use, reconciles conflicts of interest and enables projects such as the green transition.  The provincial plan solves difficult issues concerning the use of land that municipal authorities and even cross the provincial borders, and which individual municipalities cannot address within the scope of their competence. Municipal land use planning resources vary greatly, and the provincial plan as a planning tool compensates for this imbalance.  At the moment, there are not enough personnel available for land use planning and the preparation of reports and decisions, either in municipalities, provinces, the state or consultants. Solutions to this need to be found urgently, the statement calls for.  There are serious concerns about the availability of skilled labour in the counties, as the issue of personnel is a key bottleneck for streamlining planning processes.  In addition, the statement summarises that the legislative reform concerning zoning, national land use targets and the planning system must be taken forward in close cooperation with municipal and provincial zoning experts, while respecting regional and municipal democracy.  Read the provincial statement. Further information: vs. Provincial Director Markus Erkkilä tel. +358 40 685 4045

The statement of the Eastern and Northern Finland Summit can be found here.