Helsinki-Uusimaa region and Catalonia: EU pioneer regions join forces ahead of EU Multiannual Financial Framework Negotiations
Helsinki-Uusimaa region is working closely with other developed regions in preparing the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework 2028–2034 (MFF). In EU cohesion policy, “developed regions” refers to economically strong and competitive regions whose GDP exceeds the EU average. These regions share broad common interests ranging from EU research and innovation policy to economic and cohesion policies.
”In our international advocacy, cooperation with other European frontrunners is key. Our voice carries more weight in EU decision-making when we join forces with like-minded regions.”
— Tuija Telén, Regional Director
Regional development and European cohesion policy must be place-based and include cities
Cohesion policy must be implemented across Europe and remain a central EU pillar, where also developed regions are genuinely involved in planning and implementation. Cooperation between regions is important, as joint influence strengthens the role of cohesion policy within the EU.
Within the EUregions4Cohesion network, for example, Helsinki EU Office has, together with Catalonia, highlighted the different needs of regions and emphasized the importance of local participation in the planning and implementation of funding. In the EUregions4Cohesion position paper(siirryt toiseen palveluun) signed by the Helsinki-Uusimaa and Päijät-Häme Regional Councils (November 2025), it is stressed that cohesion policy is the EU’s most effective tool for promoting integration. Regions oppose the nationalization of cohesion policy and demand full opportunities to participate in the planning and implementation of funding. Another example of cooperation is the Regions for EU Recovery initiative (2024), led by Catalonia, in which Helsinki-Uusimaa region also participates. Last year, Helsinki EU Office hosted an event (siirryt toiseen palveluun)presenting research related to the initiative, examining the implementation of member states’ recovery and resilience plans and their impact on cohesion policy beyond 2027.
Joint position papers from multiple regions and dialogue with the European Commission and the European Parliament have contributed to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen making concessions and strengthening the role of regions in national plan preparation. On November 11, President von der Leyen proposed (siirryt toiseen palveluun)a “regional review” for all national plans, intended to strengthen the role of regions in plan development. National plans, in turn, guide the allocation of cohesion and agricultural funds, which account for over 50% of the total EU budget, in the next funding period 2028–2034.
Helsinki-Uusimaa and Catalonia Share Common Views on the Multiannual Financial Framework. Both regions agree on many key points regarding the MFF. The role of regions and cities in EU policy must not be weakened; they should be recognized as active actors in decision-making and planning. Helsinki-Uusimaa region´s position on the MFF(siirryt toiseen palveluun) emphasizes that national partnership plans must safeguard the place-based nature of cohesion policy: member states must concretely involve regional-level organizations in drafting and decision-making. The Commission must allocate earmarked funding also for advanced regions, and resources in national and regional plans should support long-term structural change. In addition, the European Competitiveness Fund must take SMEs and regional innovation ecosystems into account and preserve excellence-based criteria.
Catalonia’s position(siirryt toiseen palveluun) on the MFF stresses that regions should not depend on national governments for the distribution of EU cohesion and agricultural funds. Instead, they should be informed in advance about the amounts available to each region. Practically, this means that before funds flow into national centralized budgets or “envelopes,” regions would have an approximate understanding of the funding share allocated to them. This is an interesting idea, as it could give regions direct knowledge of their funding, improving local planning for R&D support for SMEs, infrastructure projects, and rural development.
Helsinki-Uusimaa and Catalonia are also strong advocates for urban policy. Capital region cities, like Barcelona, have benefited from EU earmarking for sustainable urban development. The continuation of such earmarked EU funding is at stake in the next period.
EU growth and innovation rely on thriving ecosystems
”Finland’s competitiveness and growth are built on research and innovative ecosystems. The EU must allocate funding based on competitiveness for the next funding period.”
— Janne Leino, Director, Helsinki EU Office
As part of the dialogue with Catalonia, Regional Director Tuija Telén and Helsinki EU Office Director Janne Leino met with members of the Catalan Parliament, Ferran Pedret and Alberto Bondesio, in Barcelona on November 6. Discussions included regional cooperation in promoting growth and competitiveness in the European Semiconductor Regions Alliance (ESRA). The chairmanship of the network will move from Catalonia to Finland in 2027, when Tampere/Pirkanmaa will become ESRA’s rotating chair. Helsinki-Uusimaa, Tampere region, and Catalonia have concrete funding goals related to the new Chips Act (Chips Act 2), which the EU will use to fund semiconductor production and related research. Helsinki-In Uusimaa, the Espoo Otaniemi semiconductor ecosystem (including the Kvanttinova (siirryt toiseen palveluun)initiative mentioned in the government program) has received funding in line with the priorities of the first Chips Act.
Further discussions on joint R&D priorities continued November 28th in Brussels, when Helsinki EU Office staff met with Catalan regional authorities, including Aleix Cubells, Director General for European Funds and State Aid. Discussions focused on potential cooperation and shared views on implementing the MFF, particularly opportunities in semiconductor and quantum technologies. In Finland, actors in this field are often small or medium-sized internationally. For Finnish competitiveness, it is crucial that EU R&D funding benefits not just a few large companies but ecosystems that can nurture the next generation of unicorns.
What is the EU Multiannual Financial Framework?
The EU Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034) sets out how EU funds are used and which growth and competitiveness policies will shape Europe’s future. For Finland and Helsinki-Uusimaa region, it is important to secure stronger EU support for projects promoting key technologies and the circular economy, which requires close national and regional cooperation. The Commission has proposed a budget of roughly 2 trillion euros for 2028–2034, over half of which would go to cohesion and agricultural policies. The MFF aims to strengthen EU competitiveness and unity. In the proposed budget, for example, the Horizon program and the Connecting Europe Facility for transport and energy networks are doubled compared to the previous period.
