Brussels, 07/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - Finland is now linked to the European Commission through an agreement on using EU Structural and Investment Funds for growth and jobs in 2014-2020, as are 16 other member states.
Finnish agreements. On Tuesday 7 October, Finland signed its “Partnership Agreement” setting down the strategy for the optimal use of €1.47 billion in European Structural and Investment Funds throughout the country. The Finnish partnership agreement will earmark funds for tackling unemployment and social exclusion, boosting competitiveness, innovation, education and training, entrepreneurship and renewable resources. European Commissioner for Regional Development Johannes Hahn explained that, “this investment strategy builds on the important contribution Finland is already making to help the EU meet its goals of achieving sustainable smart and inclusive growth”.
Operational programmes. During the inauguration of the Open Days event, the day before, he also explained that although only two operational programmes had been approved by the European Commission (the phase following the signing of the partnership agreements), almost all member states had now submitted their programmes to the European Commission. (MD)