Support areas

Labour and other resources are unevenly distributed and for this reason, there are differences in business opportunities between regions. The Government may designate the least developed areas as support areas. Companies may receive higher aid for investments in the support areas than elsewhere in Finland. The Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres) grant the aid.

The support areas are designated on the basis of the criteria laid down by the EU. Population density, GDP, unemployment rate and specific geographical features are used as the main criteria. In addition, areas suffering from a severe structural change can be designated as support areas.
 

Support areas and aid levels 2022–2027

The Government Decree on the Support Areas Referred to in the Act on Regional Development and Implementation of the European Union’s Regional and Structural Policy in 2022–2027 divides Finland’s support areas into support areas I and II. The Decree (467/2022) entered into force on 22 June 2022. Based on the mid-term evaluation, changes were made to the support areas, which will be valid from 1 October 2024 to 31 December 2027.

Support area I covers all municipalities located in the major regions of East and North Finland, i.e. the regions of South Savo, North Savo, North Karelia, Central Ostrobothnia, Lapland, Kainuu and North Ostrobothnia. In addition, the municipalities of Imatra, Parikkala, Rautjärvi and Ruokolahti in the region of South Karelia, and Kotka, Hamina, Pyhtää, Miehikkälä and Virolahti in the region of Kymenlaakso belong to support area I. 

Support area II covers the following municipalities in Central Finland: Jämsä, Joutsa, Luhanka, Keuruu, Multia, Kannonkoski, Karstula, Kinnula, Kivijärvi, Kyyjärvi, Pihtipudas, Saarijärvi and Viitasaari. Kuhmoinen and Mänttä-Vilppula in the region of Pirkanmaa also belong to support area II. 

 

The maximum amount of investment aid

Further information hanna-maria.urjankangas(at)gov.fi