CoR - Finland econ soc ter cohesion

Central

“Sustainable growth and jobs 2014-2020 – Finland's structural funds programme" sets out the objectives and focus areas for the delivery of funds for development projects.

Ministry of Employment and the Economy

Prepares national objectives for regional development;
Coordinate, monitor and evaluate the implementation of regional strategic programmes (in cooperation with ministries, regional councils and other relevant actors);
Issues instructions to the regional councils on the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the regional strategic programmes.

A Regional and Structural Policy Advisory Council:

Coordinate implementation of the objectives and programmes concerning the development of natural regions, and the implementation of programmes relating to structural funds, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the European Fisheries Fund;
Monitor the profitability of both national and regional development programmes and structural funds.
Implement programmes, and assess their effectiveness and report on their progress to the Ministry of Employment and of the Economy.

Ministry of the Environment

Spatial planning;
General development and guidance of land use planning and building activities;
Promote, steer and monitor regional planning;
Fulfill obligations set out in the EU Construction Products Directive;
Draft national land use objectives in collaboration with ministries, regional councils and other relevant authorities.

Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (State authorities)

Control municipal planning and construction within their respective regions.

Regional

Regional Council

Implement regional policy planning and regional development programmes, in cooperation with State authorities;
Develop and approve a regional plan and a regional strategic programme;
Develop an annual regional strategic programme implementation plan based on the regional strategic programme;
Participate in strategic planning and steering of state regional authorities;
Develop proposals for the region regarding the EU Structural Funds programmes;
Promote cooperation with the Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment, as well as with other relevant actors;
Cooperate with local governments;
Regional land use planning.

Åland competences

Land planning;

Åland has its own structural fund strategy, which is part of the Finnish structural fund strategy, and European Social Fund (ESF) and ERDF programmes related to its implementation.

Local

Land use planning, building guidance and control within their territories;
Adopt a local master plan (to provide general guidance regarding the community structure and land use of a municipality; guide land use and building in a specified area);
Municipalities may cooperate in drawing up the local master plan (joint master plan);
Construction and maintenance of local infrastructure and the municipal environment, including streets, energy management, water and wastewater management, and harbours;
Promote local business and employment.

Responsible ministries/bodies

The Ministry of Employment and the Economy

Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment

Regional and Structural Policy Advisory council

Ministry of the Environment

Regional Councils

Åland Government

Municipalities

Sources:

Local Government Act 410/2015

Act on the autonomy of Åland (1991/1144), Section 18 and 27

Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment