Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective 2007-2013

For the 2007-2013 structural fund period the Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective is executed in Finland under the operational programmes of European Social Fund (ESF) and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). In accordance with the Lisbon strategy the main focus of funding is in the strengthening of competitiveness and employment and also in the development of skills infrastructures.

Implementation of Eastern Finland's ERDF-programme has been drawn up under the leadership of regional councils. Eastern Finland has a status of a phasing-in region for the 2007-2013 period. Eastern Finland's ERDF operational programme covers the regions of Etelä-Savo, Kainuu, North Karelia and Pohjois-Savo. The programme is executed under three priority lines:

1. Business development
2. The promotion of competence and innovation and the strengthening of the related structures and centers of expertise
3. Improving the accessibility of regions and services, and the enhancement of the operational environment

Total ERDF-funds for the programme including the technical assistance sum up to 365 million €. In addition the national funding including the contribution from the municipalities complements the EU funds with another 365 million €.

There is only one nationwide operational programme for the European Social Fund, which is formulated around four NUTS 2 level sections (Eastern Finland, Northern Finland, Western Finland and Southern Finland). The programme is executed under four priority lines:

1. Development of work organisations, the workforce and enterprises, and promoting entrepreneurship
2. Promoting access to employment and sustainable inclusion in the labour market and preventing social exclusion
3. Development of skills, innovation and service systems that promote the functions of labour market
4. Transnational and inter-regional ESF actions

Total ESF-funding for the section of Eastern Finland sums up to 180 million €. In addition the national funding including the contribution from the municipalities complements the EU funds with another 180 million €.

All in all the investment during 2007-2013 allocated under the Regional Competitiveness and Employment objective for Eastern Finland amount to a total of 1,1 billion €. Adding to this all the private funding (infrastructure projects), the investment doubles or even triples.