Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Search in posts
Search in pages
The letters OULU in pink in front of Tuira, each decorated in honour of the summer and the year of the Capital of Culture.

news

30.09.2026

Provincial Governors: The Prime Minister's objective of securing support for northern sparsely populated areas is right

Eight county governors stand in front of the Brandenburg Gate in sunny spring weather. They wear trench coats or dark suits and sunglasses. The sky curves blue over them.

Position of the Regional Governors of Eastern and Northern Finland 29.9.2026

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has today strongly expressed Finland's concern that EU funding will continue to secure special funding for the northern sparsely populated areas of Finland (NSPA).

This must be part of Finland's key objectives for the next EU funding period 2028-34. NSPA funding increases the amount of EU funding received by Finland as a whole and is a critical factor Eastern and Northern Finland special circumstances, and it is not out of other EU funding received by Finland or increases Finland's EU payments.

NSPA funding increases the amount of EU funding for Finland as a whole, the yield with which we can compensate for regional, economic and social differences. This EU cohesion policy aims to reduce regional disparities and strengthen European competitiveness. When Finland and Sweden joined the EU, it was recognised that the long distances, sparse population and harsh climatic conditions of Eastern and Northern Finland required special measures. These permanent handicaps were taken into account in northern sparsely populated areas (Northern Sparsely Populated Areas, NSPA) separate funding, which complements other EU funding received by Finland. The French and Portuguese Overseas Territories (OCTs), among others, are also eligible for comparable separate funding on the basis of adverse conditions.

The provincial leaders of Eastern and Northern Finland are currently in Brussels promoting these same themes.

Further information from the Regional Governors of Eastern and Northern Finland:

Hannu Takkula, tel. +358 400 203 300
vs. Regional Director, Lapland

Heini Utunen
Regional Director, South Savo

Riikka Pirkkalainen
Regional Director, Kainuu

Jyrki Kaiponen
Regional Director, Central Ostrobothnia

Jussi Rämet
Regional Director, Northern Ostrobothnia

Markus Hirvonen
Regional Director, North Karelia

Tytti Määttä
Regional Director, Northern Savonia