Implementation project on the Economic Development Centres

The implementation project on the Economic Development Centres prepares the establishment of 10 new regional Economic Development Centres. The Centres will be based on the current 15 Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres). 

At the beginning of 2026, the Economic Development Centres would start to provide services to personal customers, companies, corporations and authorities in all regions. The legislative proposal on the reform is currently being considered by Parliament, which is expected to reply to it in June. After the legislative proposal has been adopted, the recruitment of directors will begin. The preparations for the launch of the new Economic Development Centres will continue during 2025.

The establishment of Economic Development Centres is part of the reform of regional state administration outlined in the Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government. The reform will ensure the provision of comprehensive regional administration services throughout Finland. The Centres would operate based on a multisectoral approach, with the aim of strengthening the development and funding activities of regional state administration both in the Centres and in regional partnerships.

Duties of Economic Development Centres

The Centres would be responsible for a wide range of tasks related to business and industry, employment, skills and culture, immigration and integration, agriculture and rural development, transport and road management, land use planning, water management, the promotion of biodiversity and good state of waters and marine areas and climate, fisheries, the implementation of the EU’s regional and structural policy programme, and the tasks of the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

The Economic Development Centres would be in charge of most of the tasks of the current ELY Centres. Of the current environmental tasks of the ELY Centres, those related to permits and supervision would be transferred to the new Finnish Supervisory Agency, which will also begin operations in 2026. The responsibility for public passenger traffic would be transferred from the ELY Centres to the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom). 
The reform would enable the Economic Development Centres to divide the tasks between themselves and to specialise in certain fields.

Offices of Economic Development Centres

The Centres would have either a main office or an office in all regions.