Themes and priority axes
The activities supported in Eastern Finland are divided into four priority axes that are consistent with the priorities of the national Structural Funds strategy. Efforts to achieve the programme’s objectives will be made through investment and development projects that promote the implementation of the priority axes. Some of the assistance is allocated to the programme’s administration.
Priority axis 1: Promotion of business
The measures of this priority axis are focused directly at enterprises. The aim is to support the opportunities for enterprises to exploit and turn innovations into products as well as to implement new environmental technology. Particular attention is paid to developing SMEs and the promotion of female entrepreneurship.
Projects financed under this priority axis can include, for example, setting up new enterprises, development projects furthering the growth of SMEs, projects promoting female entrepreneurship, networking by SMEs, the development of enterprises in creative sectors, the productisation and commercialisation of innovations, changes of ownership and subsequent development actions, and increasing the eco-efficiency and environmental awareness of enterprises.
Beneficiaries can be:
- new SMEs and SMEs that are starting up
- SMEs with growth potential and actively developing SMEs
- enterprises in the process of transition (generation change, etc.)
- Large enterprises if they are part of projects that focus on the transfer of technology or networking with SMEs
Priority axis 2: Promotion of innovation and networking and strengthening of knowledge structures
Priority axis 2 promotes measures that are concerned with
knowledge and innovations by strengthening the structures
and knowledge clusters linked to them.
Projects financed from the priority axis can include, for example, support for cooperation and networking of innovation
actors and SMEs, the improvement of the availability and efficiency of innovation services, the development of business incubators, the development of special knowledge of areas, the
development of activities that support R&D, the development
of electronic advisory and customer service systems and the
utilisation of applied research.
Beneficiaries can be, for example:
- organisations that provide services to enterprises
- training, research and development organisations
- municipalities, joint municipal authorities and associations
Priority axis 3: Improvement of the accessibility of areas and the operating environment
Priority axis 3 aims to improve the accessibility of Eastern
Finland and the region’s attractiveness as an environment
for living and working. The measures that are supported will
strengthen the region’s attractiveness, prevent environmental
risks and damage and improve the accessibility of the regions.
Projects financed under this priority axis can include, for example, the development of competitive operating environments, plans to improve the accessibility of transport and services, the utilisation of environmental technology and the management of environmental risks. In addition, planning projects to promote the protection of water bodies and the development of eco-efficiency, the introduction of new technology required by the regional balance, the development of the conditions for nature and cultural tourism, the preservation and renovation of cultural heritage sites, and increasing the interaction between urban and rural areas are included in this priority axis.
Beneficiaries can be:
- municipalities and joint municipal authorities
- development organisations
- cooperatives, foundations and associations
