The Commission adopted its Partnership Agreement with Finland, laying down Finland's €2 billion cohesion policy investment strategy for the period 2021-2027. The funds will support Finland in promoting economic, social and territorial cohesion, with a focus on key EU priorities such as the green and digital transition.
More social cohesion
The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) in Finland will promote social cohesion, with about €580 million allocated to this goal. The ESF+ will help people in Finland to invest in their skills and lifelong learning, the adaptability of the workforce and the employability of those facing difficulties to enter the labour market. The ESF+ will also help tackle material deprivation, intergenerational poverty and social exclusion.
Innovation and skills programme for Finland 2021-2027
The greatest share of the Finland Partnership Agreement will improve innovation and skills, with a dedicated programme worth €1.4 billion. It will support different priorities, ranging from R&D and innovation to greening the economy, enhancing sustainable mobility in the northern sparsely populated region, combating material deprivation, and improving the employment of young people. This programme will also dedicate more than 8% of the European Regional and Development Fund to sustainable urban development.
Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, said: “To adapt to the rapidly changing labour market in the EU, Member States must invest heavily in skills and lifelong learning. Finland has understood this challenge and plans to dedicate €1.4 billion of cohesion policy funds to a new Innovation and Skills programme, as well as an additional €580 million to other social investments such as combatting poverty and social exclusion.”
Sustainable growth, operational programmes and recovery
The funds will also contribute to the country's competitive, innovative and sustainable growth. The Partnership Agreement with Finland paves the way for cohesion specific operational programmes to be implemented on the ground. It covers 3 programmes, of which two cover the whole country and one concerns the Åland region. Moreover, it establishes the eligibility and implementation of the Just Transition Fund in the regions with the most carbon-intensive industrial facilities to help them face the challenges of the transition to climate neutrality.
The Partnership Agreement also reflects Finland's strong commitment to the coordinated use of the cohesion policy funds with the Recovery and Resilience Facility. Under cohesion policy, and in cooperation with the Commission, each Member State prepares a Partnership Agreement, a strategic document for programming investments from the cohesion policy funds and the EMFAF during the Multiannual Financial Framework. It focuses on EU priorities, laying down the strategy and investment priorities identified by the Member State, and it presents a list of national and regional programmes for implementation on the ground, including the indicative annual financial allocation for each programme.
The Partnership Agreement with Finland is the fifth agreement for the 2021-2027 funding period, following those of Greece, Germany, Lithuania and Austria. More details in our press release.
