09.10.2026
Growth takes place in the regions - Regional Councils join Finland's partnership plan
Position of the Presidents of the Provincial Governments
The Presidents of the Finnish Provincial Governments propose that the Regional Councils be included in Finland's National and Regional Partnership Plan (NRPP) without delay. or NRP Plan) as equal partners and emphasise a stronger focus on multi-level governance and subsidiarity. Utilising the regional knowledge and strong EU experience of regional councils in the preparation and implementation of Finland's NRPP is essential in order for the plan to strengthen growth throughout Finland and meet the different needs of the regions.
Finland's NRP plan should focus on investments and reforms that strengthen economic growth. At the same time, it should be noted that the core function of EU cohesion policy is to reduce disparities between the levels of development of the regions and to strengthen economic, social and territorial balance. Reducing regional development disparities is not the opposite of economic growth, but opens up the possibility of making full use of Finland's potential.
According to Article 565(6) of the Commission proposal for a Regulation COM (2025), the preparation of the NRP Plan shall be done in accordance with multi-level governance and a bottom-up approach. Until now, Finland's preparations have only been internal and upper-level, which is not in line with the proposal for a regulation. From the outset, the Regional Councils, which fulfil the requirement of multi-level governance as joint municipal authorities, must be involved in the preparation of Finland's NRP Plan.
The involvement of regional councils does not mean complex governance or fragmentation, but brings to the preparations a ready-made regional implementation structure, partnership networks and information on the effectiveness of investments. This will make it possible to turn national targets into viable solutions for growth and jobs in the regions.
Regional councils are responsible for the strategic entity of regional development, the preparation of regional programmes, the regional implementation of the European Union's regional and structural policy programme and the preparation of regional funding plans. They gather the views of municipalities, companies, education and research organisations and other key actors into a joint partnership. Thanks to this work package, the regional councils have both the knowledge base and the executive capacity needed to identify the different development needs, growth opportunities and challenges of renewal in the partnership plan.
The Presidents of the Provincial Governments propose the following to the Ministry of Finance:
- The numerical structure of the NRP Plan, its more detailed contents and the preparation and implementation responsibilities are planned and agreed together with the regional councils.
- The chapter structure of the NRP Plan will include regional development content that takes into account the specificities of the regions.
- Regional councils are given preparatory responsibility in chapter-specific sub-working groups corresponding to their expertise.
- The NRP Plan will include provincial frameworks that improve the predictability of funding and engage regional ecosystems in joint actions to strengthen growth, competitiveness and employment.
- The NRP Plan does not include investments which, in principle, fall under the financial responsibility of the State.
The chairmen of the regional governments support the objective of simplifying administration and streamlining and streamlining the use of funds from the NRP Plan. The reform must be based on regional and customer orientation, the principle of proximity and an information system that supports the objectives. The flexible and performance-based EU funding model does not reduce the importance of regional activities, but increases the need for strong regional ownership, strategic responsibility, up-to-date situational awareness and executive capacity.
The chairmen of the regional governments point out that regional councils are a small expense compared to public finances, but their leverage effect on investments, research and innovation activities and the renewal of business life is significant both regionally and nationally. Utilising this knowledge is essential for developing an effective and efficient partnership plan.
Chairmen of the Provincial Governments of Mainland Finland
Additional information: Presidents of the Board of the Regional Assemblys
Johannes Koskinen, Chair, tel. 050 551 3061
Janne Sankelo, Vice-Chair, tel. 050 512 0519
Lauri Nikula, Vice-Chair, tel. 040 9135722
