The implementation of the Strategy for Southwest Finland is built on people and cooperation: trusted partnerships that extend beyond individual projects and short-term efforts. In the regional strategy work of Southwest Finland, partnership means a planned, long-term and permanent way of thinking and working together across the region. Partnership is based on interaction and shared learning. Partnership work includes all open and constructive activities that support the implementation of the Strategy for Southwest Finland.
Southwest Finland Strategy
Southwest Finland is a builder of connections that links Finland to the West. The region connects people, ideas, industries and cultures nationally and internationally, while strengthening connections between the Nordic capitals. The vision builds on Southwest Finland’s strategic location in the heart of the Baltic Sea region, its diverse economic structure, strong higher education sector, and the unique archipelago and cultural environment.
Vital and Sustainable
Southwest Finland is a growing and renewing region where vitality is built through people, businesses and collaboration. The region’s strengths include a diverse business structure, high-level competence and bold investments in the future. A strong economy and commitment to renewal are reflected in growing employment and new opportunities throughout the region. Efficient and competitive transport connections support internationalisation and business success. Southwest Finland is a region of growth, renewal and collaboration that looks confidently towards the future.
Objectives for the Regional Programme 2026–2029
Sustainably Growth-Oriented Business
Advanced Transformative Technologies
Sustainable Food and Resource Economy
Vibrant and Attractive
Southwest Finland offers a living environment where nature, culture, and urban life complement each other. The unique archipelago and rural landscapes, rich cultural environment and vibrant cities make the region distinctive. Efficient and competitive transport connections, high-quality education and diverse services strengthen the region’s attractiveness for both residents and businesses. Southwest Finland develops responsibly and promotes a sustainable way of life. Southwest Finland is a region that is easy to reach and attractive to live in.
Objectives for the Regional Programme 2026–2029
Entrepreneur- and Talent-Friendly Environment
Efficient and Competitive Transport Connections
Distinctive Experience-Based Services and Cultural Activities
For You
In Southwest Finland, everyday life is smooth and essential services are close at hand. Services, work, education and nature are accessible throughout the region. A strong sense of community and a safe living environment create the foundation for wellbeing and a good life for people of all ages. Southwest Finland values participation, competence and opportunities for people to grow according to their own strengths. The region builds a sustainable and people-oriented future that is truly for you.
Objectives for the Regional Programme 2026–2029
Competent Citizenship
Wellbeing and a Good Life
Diverse Nature and a Shared Cultural Environment
Cross-Cutting Themes and Values
The Southwest Finland regional strategy is supported by cross-cutting themes that guide development across sectors and projects.
Sustainable Economy and Competitiveness emphasises long-term and responsible growth, where competence, innovation and the utilisation of data strengthen the development of the entire region.
Nature and the Clean Transition directs Southwest Finland towards a low-carbon and resource-wise future, where biodiversity, sustainable energy production and the circular economy act as drivers of renewal.
Resilience and Security strengthens the ability to anticipate, prepare for and recover from crises, while supporting security of supply and societal stability.
Capacity for Renewal and Future Readiness supports continuous learning, bold experimentation and the utilisation of technology, the data economy and smart solutions.
These themes are complemented by the strategy’s values, which describe a shared operational culture. Responsibility is reflected in decisions where ecological, economic and social impacts are considered as a whole. Accessibility ensures that services, information and opportunities for collaboration are available as widely as possible, both physically and digitally. Trust creates the foundation for partnerships and open collaboration between different actors. Curiosity encourages exploring new solutions, experimentation and learning, strengthening the region’s capacity for renewal in changing circumstances.
Together, the cross-cutting themes and values form a framework within which the strategy’s key objectives are implemented. They guide everyday decisions and development work in municipalities, businesses, communities and regional cooperation, helping to steer Southwest Finland towards a sustainable, resilient and future-oriented region.
The Strategy for Southwest Finland provides the foundation for regional development. It defines the direction the region is collectively committed to and the means through which the future of Southwest Finland is built. The strategy is prepared in broad cooperation with municipalities, higher education institutions, businesses, organisations and residents, and its implementation is monitored regularly.
The strategy consists of three parts:
Regional Plan – a long-term vision and strategic direction
Regional Programme – concrete development measures for the electoral term
Smart Specialisation (S3) – the priorities that guide the region’s innovation development
The Regional Plan is the statutory part of the regional strategy that outlines the long-term development and future direction of Southwest Finland. Its mission, vision and values describe the purpose of cooperation, the shared ambitions of the region and the principles that guide collaboration. The vision for the regional spatial structure describes how functions, communities and actors are positioned across the region and how development will shape the environment in the future in line with the strategy. The spatial structure vision sets objectives for regional and community structure development so that measures supporting the objectives of the regional strategy can be implemented as effectively and sustainably as possible in different parts of Southwest Finland.
The purpose of the Regional Programme is to define the measures through which the long-term vision and objectives of the Regional Plan are implemented. The Regional Programme is prepared for each municipal council term, that is, every four years. Its preparation is governed by the Act on Regional Development and the Implementation of the European Union’s Regional and Structural Policy.
The Smart Specialisation Strategy deepens the objectives and measures of the Regional Plan and the Regional Programme. It focuses particularly on the sectors in which Southwest Finland has distinctive strengths, diverse innovation activities and strong potential for future growth. The Smart Specialisation Strategy can also be described as a regional research and innovation strategy. It is based on European Union policy, and its preparation is governed by the Act on Regional Development and the Implementation of the European Union’s Regional and Structural Policy.
Implementation and Monitoring
Monitoring
The implementation of the Strategy for Southwest Finland 2040+ is monitored through annual reviews prepared each year. These reviews assess the progress of the strategy from four different perspectives and compile the most important results of regional development activities.
The annual reviews are submitted to the Regional Board for information. Monitoring serves as a management tool for leadership and elected officials, while also strengthening commitment and motivation among partners and actors involved in the implementation of the regional strategy.
At the core of the annual review is information compiled by the region’s expert networks on the implementation of the objectives and measures of the Regional Programme. The networks assess progress using a five-point scale together with narrative descriptions of key achievements and progress.
The barometer survey is an open online survey conducted annually among the region’s key actors and prepared on the basis of the strategy’s values, priorities and objectives. The barometer examines both the overall development of Southwest Finland and the implementation of the measures of the regional strategy. It also evaluates the activities of the Southwest Finland Developer Forum.
Southwest Finland funding portfolios describe how public funding allocated in the region by different authorities is directed towards themes arising from the Regional Programme. Dividing funding into portfolios is one way to monitor the implementation of objectives and measures. The portfolios improve the transparency of funding allocation and support cooperation between authorities in directing funding. The information is compiled in cooperation with the region’s funding authorities.
To support the monitoring of the Strategy for Southwest Finland, the Regional Council of Southwest Finland has also developed a regional EVP index. The index provides a situational overview of regional development from the perspectives of vitality, attractiveness and retention, while also comparing the development potential of Southwest Finland with other regions. The EVP index is administered by the Regional Council.
Southwest Finland Regional Program and Partnership Work Annual Review 2025
Evaluation of Southwest FinlandRegional Program and Partnership Work 2022–2025
If you need information about older annual reviews, please contact:
