18.09.2024
The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia supports the EU's current cohesion policy
The European Committee of the Regions' Committee on Regional Policy (COTER) will meet in Oulu on 17-18 September. At its meeting on Tuesday, COTER unanimously approved the President of the European Committee of the Regions: Vasco Cordeiro and the COTER Chair, Mayor of Cluj-Napoca Emil Bocin Opinion on the reform of EU cohesion policy.
The opinion gives strong support to the European Union's cohesion policy to date, which, in the opinion of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, is a welcome contribution to the debate on the Union's financial period starting in 2028. It is important for the county that cohesion policy has continuity.
– The European Union's cohesion policy is currently under pressure to change. The North Ostrobothnia Regional Council believes that the current model is very functional. It takes into account the special needs of the regions and provides an opportunity to create economic growth based on local strengths, Regional Director of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia Jussi Rämet notes.
Cohesion policy for the benefit of the North as a whole
The European Union's cohesion policy provides significant funding for the development of the provinces of Northern Finland. Northern Ostrobothnia is the largest beneficiary of the total pot, i.e. the total funding in euros.
The aim of cohesion policy is to smooth out regional developmentFor the region of Northern Ostrobothnia, it is important that the European Union's cohesion policy has continuity. The opinion adopted by the Committee on Regional Policy (COTER) of the European Committee of the Regions in Oulu is, in the opinion of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, a welcome contribution to the debate on the financial period starting in 2028. The European Union's financial assistance shall promote economic growth and support economic diversification, including by supporting enterprises and R&D&I, promoting climate action, and developing employment, education and human inclusion.
When Finland joined the European Union, exceptionally sparse populations and long distances in Eastern and Northern Finland were identified as permanent developmental disadvantages. For this reason, the special support needs of Eastern and Northern Finland have been agreed in Finland's Treaty of Accession to the EU. The sparse population density in Eastern and Northern Finland is currently the most important criterion for EU funding for Finland as a whole.
– It is very gratifying that COTER, in its opinion on sparsely populated regions in Eastern and Northern Finland, highlights the role of cohesion policy in supporting regions facing serious and permanent demographic difficulties. Taking this into account is important for the whole of Finland, Jussi Rämet says.
Cohesion policy must respond to territorial needs
COTER strongly supports that the shared management model, multi-level governance and the partnership principle remain the guiding principles of cohesion policy post-2027. According to Jussi Rämet, it is easy to agree with this view.
– Regional councils, as regional development authorities, are key partners in cohesion policy because of their local knowledge, their long experience in the role of intermediary authority and their ability to promote local ownership. There is a need to maintain area-based preparation and action.
Cohesion policy must continue to respond to the regional needs of the Development Manager of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia Päivi Keisanen According to the mind.
– Instead, it must be possible to develop policy content and support instruments in such a way as to further increase the responsiveness to regional development needs, he says.
In its opinion, COTER strongly supports a decentralised governance model and the comprehensive involvement of local and regional authorities in decision-making processes. Furthermore, COTER is very strongly opposed to any concentration measures in cohesion policy. This line is fully in line with the view of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia.
Additional information:
Jussi Rämet, Regional Director, tel. +358 40 586 3877
Cohesion policy content: Päivi Keisanen, Development Manager, tel. +358 50 431 0605
