Actors are guided by the principles of fair play
Attention is paid in all EU activities to equal opportunities, partnership, and sustainability. For the whole of Finland to prosper, it is important to develop the vitality of environments, take care of sparsely populated rural areas, and strengthen the dialogue between urban and rural areas.
Impacts on the environment, cooperation and equal opportunities under the spotlight
Environmental impact assessment is an essential part of projects financed from the Structural Funds. The best outcome from the environmental perspective can be attained when the projects’ environmental impacts – whether positive or adverse – are identified as early as in the project selection phase.
Cooperation between the authorities, businesses, associations, and other actors is carried out in all phases of the projects. Partnership is encouraged in both project planning and implementation.
EU projects encourage the promotion of equal opportunities for both genders and for all age and population groups. Equality is one of the basic principles of the Finnish welfare society.
Efficient interaction between urban and rural areas
Rural development is supported from the European Union’s Structural Funds. The objective is to promote the vitality of rural areas by improving the availability of private services and creating new enterprises in the areas. Attempts are made in sparsely populated areas to remove obstacles to development and other disadvantages, and to improve the attractiveness of areas.
The projects generate interaction between rural and urban areas, which is beneficial to both parties. Areas in the vicinity of large cities can increase recreational activities related to housing and leisure time that will attract urban citizens.
National and European Union legislation directs EU financing. Finland’s Structural Fund Act includes basic provisions on the duties and powers of the authorities in Finland. The managing authority is responsible for managing the financing and for the general implementation of the programmes and, if necessary, delegates the duties related to project implementation to the financing authorities (Employment and Economic Development Centres, State Provincial Offices, Regional Councils, Environment Centres, Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation TEKES, National Board of Education, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Education). The Ministry of Employment and the Economy acts as the managing authority for programmes under the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund.
The certifying authority and the audit authority assist the managing authorities by carrying out the tasks provided for them in European Community legislation.
