Mayors and municipality leaders from Helsinki-Uusimaa visit Brussels
The mayors and municipality leaders of Helsinki-Uusimaa region visited Brussels in November. Depending on the sector, up to three-quarters of the legislation coming from the EU directly affects cities and municipalities, impacting our everyday lives. The new European Commission is about to start its work, and the Union’s next multiannual financial framework (2028–2034) is being prepared. Therefore, it was particularly important at this time to bring the messages and priorities from Finnish cities and municipalities, where EU legislation is implemented, to Brussels.
As the European Commission aims for climate neutrality by 2050, the Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council has set an even more ambitious target, looking to achieve climate neutrality by 2030. Cities and municipalities are developing new solutions and implementing EU climate legislation. We received a comprehensive overview of the Commission’s climate work, as well as the impacts of the paradigm shift to the new Commission, from Antonios Sfakiotakis, who works on the green transition in the European Commission’s Secretariat.
Cohesion policy, which also supports the green and digital transitions in regions, constitutes a third of the EU budget. Helsinki-Uusimaa emphasises the importance of ensuring that future cohesion policy supports all regions, and that regions and municipalities are consulted in its planning and implementation. We had discussions about the future of cohesion policy and the changes that the upcoming multiannual financial framework will bring with Anna Wagner from DG REGIO, as well as with special advisors Janne Uusivirta and Päivi Valkama from Finland’s Permanent Representation to the EU.
This trip included mayors and leaders from both large cities and small municipalities in Helsinki-Uusimaa. The region is prosperous and accommodates municipalities of various sizes and characteristics. When distributing cohesion funding, it is therefore essential not only to consider the overall success of the region but to also remember that well-being is distributed within both the region and individual cities and municipalities. Where there is significant well-being, there are often also considerable challenges that must be taken into account by cohesion policy.
Numerous transport projects that are currently planned and underway in Helsinki-Uusimaa were discussed in several meetings. Helsinki-Uusimaa hosts three transport corridors recently approved under the TEN-T regulation, as well as one official EU urban node. In addition to the general social and mobility benefits, transport projects, such as the tunnel between Finland and Estonia, have broad implications for both the advancement of Europe’s green transition and security.
In the cities and municipalities of Helsinki-Uusimaa, efforts are being made to ensure safety and preparedness in addition to transport infrastructure, such as civil protection shelters. The region also hosts significant projects, such as NATO’s DIANA initiative. A report on European preparedness, drafted by former President Sauli Niinistö, highlights the role of municipalities in maintaining societal stability and security. It also emphasises municipalities’ responsibilities as providers of social and health services, organisers of basic education, and in addressing workforce shortages and skills gaps. Discussions on security issues and cooperation between the EU and NATO were led by Finland’s NATO Ambassador Piritta Asunmaa and Deputy COPS Ambassador Toivo Martikainen.
Advocacy work, especially in Brussels, cannot be done alone; it requires networks. During the visit, we met with Ilari Kallio, head of the Confederation of Finnish Industries’ Brussels office, Antti Kohopää, head of the Finnish energy Brussels office, and Ilari Havukainen, head of the Association of Finnish Cities and Municipalities’ Brussels office. The public and private sectors create an ecosystem in cities and municipalities that generates new jobs and well-being, while municipalities and cities also provide the private sector with infrastructure and a skilled workforce. Therefore, it is important to unite forces and convey a common message from Finland.
The importance of a unified message in advocacy work was also emphasised in meetings by Members of the European Parliament Eero Heinäluoma, Mika Aaltonen, and Sebastian Tynkkynen. According to them, to be effective in influencing the EU, it is essential to act promptly with a cohesive message and unified terminology, focussing on current EU priority topics.
Although the EU budget for 2028–2034 may seem distant, we must already create a shared national vision and actively seek to influence with a unified voice in order to ensure the success of projects important to Finland, fostering growth and competitiveness with future funding. Helsinki-Uusimaa does not compete against other regions in Finland; rather, it serves as the engine for growth for the entire country. We have initiated this work with the visit of Finland’s most populous region to Brussels, and will continue to actively pursue it moving forward.