
Niina Pautola-Mol, Regional Mayor of Päijät-Häme, brought forth the voice of Finnish regions in meetings with three Commissioners
On 28 January, a delegation of over twenty regional leaders representing 144 European regions met with key Commissioners in Brussels. The Regional Mayor of Päijät-Häme, Niina Pautola-Mol, represented the Finnish regions involved in the EURegions4Cohesion initiative and took part in discussions with Executive Vice-Presidents Roxana Mînzatu and Raffaele Fitto, and Commissioner Piotr Serafin.
The meetings marked a crucial step in advocating for regional interests and strengthening cohesion policy post-2027. The delegation highlighted the essential role of cohesion policy as a catalyst for enhancing European competitiveness, advancing green transition, and fostering technological innovation. The regional leaders advocated for a territorial approach, emphasising the need for policies that are specifically tailored to the unique characteristics and needs of each region.
The Regional Mayor of Päijät-Häme, Niina Pautola-Mol, brought forth the perspective of Finnish regions. Pautola-Mol emphasised, among other things, that cohesion policy should be available to all regions because even the most developed regions can have areas suffering from development traps. Moreover, Pautola-Mol highlighted the importance of cohesion policy in fostering competitiveness through reskilling and upskilling investments, which alleviate skills gaps and mismatches, and help the labour market adapt to structural changes and technological developments. Investing in skills and lifelong learning also contributes to social cohesion, which is crucial from a security perspective.

In the meeting with Vice-President Mînzatu, responsible for social rights, skills and preparedness, the regional leaders underscored the importance of cohesion policy in supporting the European pillar of social rights and addressing the needs of young people. Mînzatu highlighted the necessity for funds to be managed closer to citizens and tailored to regional specificities, calling for a structured dialogue with the regions. In the Vice-President’s view, cohesion is an essential element of competitiveness, and the EU needs a strong cohesion policy and a strong European Social Fund.
Vice-President Fitto, in charge of cohesion and reforms, continued with stressing the fundamental role of regions and local authorities, advocating for collaboration on necessary changes to cohesion policy and the governance of the Recovery and Resilience Fund (RRF). The Vice-President further highlighted the necessity of incorporating regional insights into policy-making processes, ensuring that policies are responsive to the unique needs and perspectives of the different European regions.
Budget Commissioner Serafin also expressed his support for a strong alliance with the regions as we head towards the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), noting that “strong regions are needed to preserve a healthy democracy in Europe”. Additionally, the Commissioner stressed the need for cohesion policy improvement, focusing on simplification and flexibility.
Context
EURegions4Cohesion is an initiative launched in May 2024 by the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region (FR) and Emilia-Romagna Region (IT). The coalition’s 144 regions come from Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and The Netherlands. This initiative is also supported by the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) and the European Regions Research and Innovation Network (ERRIN).
Photos: Copyright ©️Eric Berghen 2025