ELY Centres

There were 15 Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment in Finland. Together with the six Regional State Administrative Agencies they functioned as the country’s regional state administrative authorities in 2010–2025. The ELY Centres promoted regional development by managing central government implementation and development tasks in their regions. 

The tasks were divided into three areas of responsibility:

1. Business, labour force and skills
2. Transport and infrastructure
3. Environment and natural resources

The tasks included:

• advisory, financing and development services for companies
• rural affairs
• fisheries
• road maintenance, road projects, transport permits and licences, traffic safety, public transport, island traffic
• promotion of competence and lifelong learning
• cooperation and follow-up discussions on employment promotion
• immigration matters
• environmental protection, steering of the use of regions and construction, nature protection, monitoring of the state of the environment, use and management of water resources
• EU’s structural fund projects

Guidance and direction of ELY Centres

The joint strategy document of Regional State Administrative Agencies and the ELY Centres for 2024–2027, Creating a sustainable future – together and locally, provided direction for the activities of regional state administration and guided regional government agencies in the implementation of the Government Programme and in the reform of operations and structures. The strategy provided a common framework for a more detailed operational planning of six Regional State Administrative Agencies, 15 ELY Centres, the State Department of Åland and the KEHA Centre, and for setting operational targets. 

The joint strategy document and the performance agreements were prepared for the term of the Government and their content was reviewed each year, as necessary, based on the central government spending limits and the Budget. Each Regional State Administrative Agency and ELY Centre as well as the Development and Administration Services Centre (KEHA Centre) had one strategic performance agreement.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment was responsible for the general administrative guidance of the ELY Centres. Within their sectors, the activities were directed by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, the Ministry of the Environment, the Finnish Food Authority and the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency.

• Strategy of the Regional State Administrative Agencies and the Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment for 2024–2027
• Appendix 1: Strategy of the Regional State Administrative Agencies and the Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment for 2024–2027 - Impact assessment
• Appendix 2: Analysis of external factors for the Strategy of the Regional State Administrative Agencies and ELY Centres 2024–2027