EU advocacy to support Finland’s growth: Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce becomes the new member organisation of the Helsinki EU Office
According to statistics(siirryt toiseen palveluun) published by Eurostat on 8 January 2026, Finland currently has the highest unemployment rate in the EU. At the same time, Helsinki-Uusimaa region, the engine of Finland’s economy, has lost ground in comparisons of Europe’s most innovative regions. In 2019 the region ranked first and in 2023 second, but in the most recent assessment(siirryt toiseen palveluun) of regional innovativeness Helsinki-Uusimaa region placed eighth (Regional Innovation Scoreboard).
This worrying trend underscores the need to strengthen cooperation between the business sector, decision-makers, and international influencers. In this context, the Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce will begin in 2026 as a new member organisation of the Helsinki EU Office, further reinforcing the region’s advocacy at the EU level. The Helsinki EU Office is an advocacy office in Brussels maintained by the Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council.
The Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce is the largest chamber of commerce in the Nordic countries based on voluntary membership, with a network of more than 7,000 member companies and organizations. The Chamber supports the operating conditions of businesses in the Helsinki region and across Finland by influencing decision-making and providing up-to-date information.
“It is important that Finnish companies and decision-makers actively follow EU decision-making and participate in it. Decisions made by the European Union directly affect the operating environment in which Finnish companies operate, both domestically and in international markets,” says Pia Pakarinen, CEO of the Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce.
The Helsinki region constitutes Finland’s most internationally significant hub for business and innovation, making it a key contributor to the country’s economic development. Within the European Union, regions and cities account for the majority of public investments, making their role as drivers of economic growth decisive.
“Competitiveness is increasingly regional. On a European scale, Helsinki-Uusimaa region still has strong potential to succeed, but the region’s declining position in international comparisons is a serious signal. This trend can only be reversed through determined collaboration and advocacy, together with the local business community” comments Tuija Telén, Regional Mayor of Helsinki-Uusimaa region.
“We are pleased to continue our collaboration with the Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce. An increasing number of decisions that affect the business environment are made at the EU level: in Brussels, the rules for the next budgetary term, which guide investments, innovation, and growth, are currently being decided. Therefore, it is crucial to be present at the right time and to influence the process during the preparation phase.,” emphasizes Janne Leino, Director of the Helsinki EU Office.
Closer cooperation in the EU is not just advocacy—it is an investment in Finland’s future growth and employment.
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