More resources for EU’s internal cooperation programmes Interreg Aurora and Interreg Central Baltic

On 13 September 2023, the Government approved changes to the Interreg Aurora and Interreg Central Baltic programmes implemented at the EU’s internal borders. Funding from suspended external border cooperation programmes between Finland and Russia will be transferred to these programmes.

The changes are based on Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine which began in February 2022. Preparations for external border cooperation programmes on the Finnish-Russian border, i.e. South-East Finland–Russia, Karelia and Kolarctic Interreg NEXT, were suspended and will not begin during the programming period 2021–2027. The funding allocated from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to the external programmes will be transferred to the Interreg programmes.

Finland will allocate EUR 24 million from the Kolarctic and Karelia programmes to the Interreg Aurora programme and EUR 24 million from the South-East Finland–Russia programme to the Interreg Central Baltic programme. 

Sweden, Estonia and Latvia will also transfer their funding. The ERDF funding for the Interreg Aurora programme will increase from EUR 93.8 million to EUR 125.3 million and for the Interreg Central Baltic programme from EUR 126.8 million to EUR 162.5 million.

Programme areas to include more external border regions

Three regions in Finland’s external borders will be added to the areas covered by the Interreg programmes. With the expansion of the programme areas, all of Finland’s external border regions will have the opportunity to participate in cross-border cooperation during the programming period 2021–2027.

Kainuu and North Karelia will be added to the Interreg Aurora programme and South Savo to the Interreg Central Baltic programme. The external border regions of Lapland and North Ostrobothnia are already part of the Interreg Aurora programme area while South Karelia and Kymenlaakso are part of the Interreg Central Baltic programme. 

Cross-border cooperation Interreg programmes

Interreg Aurora connects regions in Norway, Finland and Sweden, including the Sápmi region. The programme emphasises sustainable development from a broad perspective as well as environmental and social issues. Interreg Aurora prioritises themes that the programme can have an effect on and that produce value added across borders. 

Interreg Central Baltic funds cross-border cooperation projects in Finland (incl. Åland), Estonia, Latvia and Sweden. The key objectives of the programme are innovative business development, improved environment and more efficient use of resources, increased employment opportunities for special groups through the development of labour market structures and preconditions of entrepreneurship, and better public services.

Inquiries:
Teemu Hartikainen, Special Adviser, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 50 563 0200
Petri Haapalainen, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. + 358 29 506 4922