The EU’s Competitiveness Council will be held in Brussels on 26–27 February 2026. The Council will discuss the European Competitiveness Fund, the Commission’s single market and competitiveness report, and other topics. Finland emphasises the importance of ensuring competition in the internal market and will present a non-paper at the Council.Finland will be represented by Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto.
Finland and Germany have signed a statement of intent on further cooperation on hydrogen infrastructure, hydrogen technology development and investments in the hydrogen sector. The statement was signed by Minister of Climate and the Environment Sari Multala and, on behalf of Germany, Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy Katherina Reiche in connection with the Ministerial Meeting of the International Energy Agency (IEA) in Paris on 18 February 2026.
The Ministerial Meeting of the International Energy Agency (IEA) will be held in Paris on 18–19 February 2026. At the meeting, energy ministers from around the world will assess the latest developments in the energy market and energy policy and the effects thereof on energy security, affordability and sustainability. Finland will be represented by Minister of Climate and the Environment Sari Multala.
Sari Multala, Minister of Climate and the Environment
“Today we are creating a foundation for the future to develop an energy system that can meet the demands of a new era. This plant is a concrete result of purposeful research and planning,” said Minister of Climate and the Environment Sari Multala at the groundbreaking ceremony for Steady Energy Oy’s small nuclear pilot plant in Salmisaari, Helsinki on 12 February 2026.
On 12 February 2026, the Government decided on the allocation of funds for 2026 under the EU’s Regional and Structural Policy Programme, ‘Innovation and Skills in Finland 2021–2027’, and on the allocation of funds from the 2021–2027 Interreg programmes.
At the beginning of 2026, a reform entered into force where the operations of regional state administration were organised into ten Economic Development Centres with offices in each region.
The Sustainable Growth Programme boosts competitiveness, investment, research, development and innovation, as well as measures to raise skill levels. On our website you can find information on funding that the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and the government agencies under its purview provide to companies, including calls for applications.
The sectoral low-carbon roadmaps prepared in 2020 are updated in accordance with Prime Minister Orpo’s Government Programme. Roadmaps will pave the way for a low-carbon future.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment creates the conditions for economically, socially and ecologically sustainable growth. It comes from skilled people in high-quality jobs, productivity growth and increasing employment.
The administrative branch of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment comprises 18 government agencies subject to performance guidance. In addition, five companies and three off-budget State funds belong to the administrative branch.
