Projects that strengthen cooperation in the Baltic Sea, Barents Sea and the Arctic regions
Finland promotes stability, security and sustainable development and fosters financial cooperation opportunities by engaging in regional cooperation in the Baltic Sea, Barents and Arctic regions.
Regional cooperation promotes Finland’s international relations, especially with the other Nordic countries and the Baltic Sea countries, and with the United States and Canada in Arctic matters. The European Union is also an important framework for regional cooperation.
The appropriations allocated for cooperation in the Baltic Sea, Barents and Arctic regions under the Foreign Ministry’s main title of expenditure are used to support the implementation of Finland’s policy objectives through regional project cooperation. Joint development projects improve the state of the environment and promote safety and wellbeing, climate change mitigation and adaptation, human health and economic opportunities. The appropriation for cooperation in the Baltic Sea, Barents and Arctic regions will be allocated to projects that promote the objectives of the Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government in these areas.
The appropriations allocated for multilateral cooperation in the Baltic Sea, Barents and Arctic regions are used to implement Finland’s national objectives in these regions. Funding is not allocated for cooperation with Russia. Through the national instrument, it is also possible to contribute to the channelling of EU funding and funding from international sources to projects that are important for Finland. The provisions of the Act on Public Procurement and Concession Contracts are observed in the use of the appropriation. The contracts are granted by the ministries. The appropriation is not used for awarding discretionary government grants.
As part of the Government’s additional measures to adjust central government finances, an appropriation for this purpose was no longer allocated in the 2025 Budget. Any ongoing projects will be completed by the end of 2026 using the current funding.
The appropriations allocated for cooperation in the Baltic Sea, Barents and Arctic regions are administered by the Unit for Northern Europe and Regional Cooperation (EUA-10) of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
Funding for cooperation in the Baltic Sea, Barents and Arctic regions under the Foreign Ministry’s main title of expenditure in 2024
Appropriations EUR 1.6 million in total