Equality

To remain vigorous, a society needs the support and active participation of its members. Equality is one of the strategic focuses of the European Union’s Structural Fund programmes. The objective of highlighting the ”future of equality” theme is to improve the well-being and living conditions of people so that their position in the labour market will be improved. It is especially important to support equality and equal opportunity - between individuals and between different regions of the country.

Supplementary funding is granted from the European Union’s Structural Funds for activities that improve Finnish expertise, employment and competitiveness. The objective is also to develop equal opportunities for people and regions. The aim is to ensure that Finland is a country with employment, skilled people, and a favourable atmosphere for new ideas and successful companies as well as a good environment in which to make a home, to live and to work.

EU funding connected to equality is targeted especially at supporting young people, the unemployed, adults, immigrants, the handicapped and other people in danger of marginalisation, and to promote regional equality. Equality between regions can be increased, for example, by improving competitiveness and access to regions. This can be accomplished by developing the transportation infrastructure, through logical solutions and by supporting the development and networking of data transmission. In this way, the transmission of ideas and innovations can be ensured, and their development into businesses and jobs. In addition, EU funds support projects whose objective is to develop the living and working conditions of people and well-being at work. Environmental points of view and the promotion of gender equality also play key roles. Development connected to equality can be funded throughout Finland.

Additional funding for projects that support equality is available from both the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF). The policy guidelines of the funds determine the key objectives of the programmes and the projects to be funded. 

The European Regional Development Fund supports, for example, job creation at the provincial level, and improves the attractiveness of regional labour markets. ERDF funding is granted to good project ideas that have as wide an impact as possible on the region and the well-being and employment of its population.

The European Social Fund supports job creation and the formation of a pluralistic working life.ESF funding to promote well-being and equality in Finland is targeted to points of focus defined in the ESF programme. The objective is also to promote job creation by, for example, guiding young people, marginalised individuals and the handicapped to working life.

Funding for projects that promote equality is available from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF).