Advocacy and Cooperation
We safeguard the interests of Varsinais-Suomi and influence decision-making at local, national, and European levels. We work to ensure that the region’s objectives are reflected in government programs, the state budget, and EU funding programs. Advocacy is cooperation: we bring together regional stakeholders, build common goals, and convey Varsinais-Suomi’s message to decision-makers—from Brussels to municipalities.
Our Advocacy Work
The Regional Council of Varsinais-Suomi actively promotes the region’s strategic influence at regional, national, and international levels. In regional advocacy work, the Council cooperates closely with municipalities, universities, businesses, organizations, and state authorities. The Council coordinates, among other things, the regional advocacy cooperation group and the Archipelago Sea advocacy group, and utilizes the expertise of the regional cooperation group and its sections.
In national advocacy, the Regional Council of Varsinais-Suomi safeguards the region’s interests in national decision-making and brings the regional perspective to the state administration, ministries, and parliament. Cooperation with members of parliament and ministers from the constituency is a key advocacy channel. Advocacy work is based on strategic objectives, which are updated for each electoral term, and the Council actively monitors legislative and budget preparation.
Internationally, the Regional Council of Varsinais-Suomi exerts influence particularly through cooperation with the regions of Southern Finland and Baltic Sea partners. In Brussels, the Council and the City of Turku have a joint office through which the region’s voice is heard in the European Union. The objective is to strengthen Varsinais-Suomi’s position in the preparation of EU programs and ensure that EU funding is obtained for the region’s development needs.
Our Advocacy Channels
In Southwest Finland, MPs actively cooperate and work together to promote the objectives of the county’s government programme. The 17 MPs in the region form an active cooperation group. The group is chaired by Pauli Aalto-Setälä (CoR) and its vice-chairs are Vilhelm Junnila (Ps.) and Saku Nikkanen (SDP). The Regional Council of Southwest Finland coordinates the meetings of the cooperation group.
Municipal Manager Meeting
The Varsinais-Suomi Municipal Manager Meeting is a cooperation forum for the region’s 27 municipalities, coordinated by the Regional Council of Varsinais-Suomi. The meeting brings together municipal managers approximately every six weeks to discuss current regional and national issues. The objective is to strengthen cooperation between municipalities, share best practices, and promote joint solutions for regional development.
The Varsinais-Suomi Advocacy School encourages young people to make an impact. Nearly 200 young people have attended the school, gaining skills to participate in societal decision-making and discussion. The training is designed for young people and students interested in societal issues, and over the course of a year, participants become familiar with decision-making in municipalities, the region, parliament, and the EU. The objective is to lower the threshold for influencing and inspire young people to build the future of Varsinais-Suomi.
Themes for advocacy
The advocacy objectives of Varsinais-Suomi are linked to the current government programme and its policies, as well as EU-level decision-making guidelines. Advocacy identifies key issues for Varsinais-Suomi and influences their consideration in decision-making, legislation, and funding solutions. This work is carried out in close cooperation with municipalities, members of parliament, and other regional stakeholders.
The Archipelago Sea is the most degraded marine area on Finland’s coast, where eutrophication has not yet been successfully halted. Poor water quality manifests in summer as cyanobacterial blooms and deteriorated marine ecosystems. The Archipelago Sea Programme, launched in 2021 and continuing during the Orpo government term, aims to reduce nutrient loading and achieve permanent improvement in the sea’s condition.
Key measures of the programme include nutrient cycling pilot areas in the Aura River and Paimionjoki River catchment areas and in Kimitoön, and the introduction of technology-neutral nutrient cycling support. The objective is for the Archipelago Sea to be removed from the Helsinki Commission’s list of worst polluters by 2027.
Since 70–80% of nutrient loading originates from agriculture, solutions are largely found in the fields. Through reform of agricultural support policy, environmental measures can be targeted to areas where impacts are greatest. By promoting agricultural nutrient cycling, manure utilization, and soil improvement methods, we can together restore the vitality of the Archipelago Sea – and secure the future of marine ecosystems.
The growth and accessibility of Varsinais-Suomi require a smooth and safe transport network. The development of rail transport supports regional vitality, sustainable mobility, and the growth of the entire Southern Finland region. The Western Railway, a fast train connection between Turku and Helsinki, will unite the cities into a single commuting area of 1.5 million people. The shortcut line and the Turku–Salo double track will reduce travel time by approximately half an hour and offer a low-emission alternative to road transport. Planning for the project is progressing through the Western Railway project company, and construction has commenced from both ends. The objective is for a decision on the construction of the second phase of the Western Railway, the Lohja–Salo shortcut line, to be made during the 2027–2031 electoral term.
The regional transport system is complemented by planned local train services, which will connect Turku, Salo, Loimaa, and Uusikaupunki into a unified commuting area. Together, through the Western Railway and local trains, a sustainable, smooth, and attractive Varsinais-Suomi is being built – as part of Finland’s entire growth and accessibility network.
Transport – Road Network and Archipelago Connections
There are several important road projects in Southwest Finland that would improve traffic flow, safety and sustainability. The E18 Turku Ring Road is one of the most important roads in Finland, and its tunnel in the centre of Raisio has reached the construction phase. The four-lane Naantali-Raisio section is also ready for construction and awaiting funding. The motorway 8 Laitila interchange and the motorway 9 Lieto-Aura dual carriageway are ready to be launched as soon as funding is secured.
Archipelago transport accessibility is vital for the region’s settlement and business sector – following the renewal of the Kirjalansalmi and Hessundinsalmi bridges, construction of the Paraistenväylä route commenced in 2026. The eastern Salo bypass will improve traffic flow and enhance connections to areas central to business activities. Together, these projects strengthen the transport system of Varsinais-Suomi and support the growth and security of supply for all of Finland.
Varsinais-Suomi is one of Finland’s strongest export and innovation hubs. The region’s objective is to strengthen the competitiveness of current leading sectors and create new growth opportunities through research, investments, and business ecosystems.
The pharmaceutical industry and health technology constitute one of the region’s long-standing strengths. The majority of Finland’s pharmaceutical exports originate from Varsinais-Suomi, and the region hosts an internationally recognized research and business network. The objective is to support the further development of this expertise hub and promote the transfer of research results into commercial innovations.
The maritime industry is another key driver of export-led growth in Varsinais-Suomi. The extensive industrial cluster built around the Turku shipyard creates employment and investments throughout the region. The objective is to support the sector’s green transformation and strengthen the operating conditions for domestic production.
The green transition permeates all aspects of the region’s economic policy. Varsinais-Suomi aims for pioneering status in the circular economy and bio- and hydrogen economy. A central part of the region’s objectives are investments in infrastructure, such as the electricity grid. These strengthen security of supply, reduce emissions, and create new export potential.
The vitality of Varsinais-Suomi is built on skilled people. Positive structural change and growing investments, particularly in the technology, maritime, and pharmaceutical industries, are increasing companies’ need for skilled professionals. Simultaneously, retirement, declining age cohorts, and labor market matching challenges are intensifying competition for talent.
The objective of Varsinais-Suomi is to ensure that job seeker services, companies’ recruitment needs, educational opportunities, and career paths are seamlessly connected. The region aims for sufficient educational places, flexible study paths, and deeper cooperation between higher education institutions and companies.
Attracting and retaining international talent in the region requires a smooth permit process, rapid recognition of qualifications, strengthening of language and integration services, and functional service chains between companies and job seekers.
RDI investments support the region’s labor market more broadly. Varsinais-Suomi aims for growth in research and development investments, which support both new technologies and the renewal of traditional strong sectors.
EU Policy – Cooperation, Funding, and Impact
The European Union’s regional and structural policy provides Varsinais-Suomi with tools for sustainable growth and development. The structural funds (ERDF and ESF) available during the 2021–2027 EU programming period support business sectors, competence, and employment. The national emphasis of funding is increasingly directed towards Eastern and Northern Finland, but Varsinais-Suomi emphasizes more balanced regional allocation and the utilization of growth potential throughout the country.
The EU-defined regional aid system places Southern and Western Finland, including Varsinais-Suomi, in a lower support category, which weakens the competitiveness of these regions.
In transport policy, the TEN-T network and the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF2) provide funding opportunities for the ports of Turku and Naantali, the E18 Ring Road, and the rail connection between Helsinki and Turku.
Through EU policy, Varsinais-Suomi strengthens its position as part of a sustainable, competitive, and interconnected Europe.
