The Regional Centre Programme of the Joensuu Region

The regional centre programme is part of Finnish regional policy. It is based on the regional policy proposals passed by the government in the autumn of 2000, and the first programming period covered the years 2001– 2006. In November 2006, the government came to the decision that all 35 regions that participated in the first period would continue in the programme in 2007–2009. The programme will conclude at the end of 2009 and be replaced by the new cohesion and competitiveness programme (KOKO) that will be launched at the beginning of 2010.

The Ministry of Employment and the Economy will be responsible for national coordination of the programme. The Ministry will grant the programme areas basic funding (regional development financing) for the implementation of projects, which can account for up to 50% of their total cost. The rest of the funding will come from the municipalities that participate in the programme.

The Regional Centre Programme of the Joensuu Region covers all 6 municipalities in the region (Ilomantsi, Joensuu, Kontiolahti, Liperi, Outokumpu, and Polvijärvi). The population of the region is over 116 000, of which more than 72 000 live in Joensuu. The programme has a provincial aspect, as Keski-Karjala and Pielisen Karjala continue to participate in the programme as cooperative regions.