Priorities for development – South Ostrobothnia

South Ostrobothnia’s regional strategy (“Huomisen lakeus”) comprises a regional plan, regional programme and a strategy for smart specialisation. The regional plan specifies the long-term targets, while the regional programme contains the goals derived from the targets and key measures for 2022–2025. The strategy for smart specialisation included in the regional programme outlines the key business focus sectors and the operating principles for business development.

The regional strategy was approved by the regional assembly on 13 December 2021.

Significant EU programmes coinciding with the regional programming period include Finland’s CAP plan 2023–2027 and the Innovation and Skills in Finland 2021–2027 regional and structural policy programme. Regarding the regional and structural policy programme, South Ostrobothnia has access to all three funds: the structural funds ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) and ESF+ (European Social Fund Plus), as well as the new JTF (Just Transition Fund).

The strategic goals of South Ostrobothnia’s regional plan and, more and more, the choices related to smart specialisation, also guide the implementation of the regional and structural policy programme.

The priorities of the regional programme and smart specialisation are concisely listed in the following figure. The content related to smart specialisation is marked with the text “Smart lakeus”.