Brussels, 11 February 2025
The EU Commission issued a positive preliminary assessment of Finland’s request for €378.1 million under NextGenerationEU, the centrepiece of Europe’s recovery efforts to build a greener, more digital, and competitive Union.
This amount represents the second instalment in Finland’s recovery and resilience plan. The Commission’s preliminary assessment finds that Finland has satisfactorily fulfilled the milestones and targets required for this payment, financed under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the key instrument of NextGenerationEU.
This payment request is tied to the implementation of seven reforms and 17 investments in Finland, driving tangible benefits for citizens and businesses. These measures advance digitalisation, promote renewable energies and green transport, boost research and innovation, and expand opportunities in higher education by creating new student places.
Flagship measures in this payment request include:
- Entry into force of the revised Climate Act: this reform sets Finland’s ambitious 2035 carbon-neutrality target into law, reinforcing the country’s commitment to addressing climate change and aligning with the European Green Deal. The Climate Act provides the foundation for medium- and long-term sustainability efforts, protecting the health and well-being of citizens from environment-related risks and impacts.
- Grants for the renewal and development of research infrastructures: Several cutting-edge research projects are receiving support across a wide range of sectors, enhancing Finland’s position as a leader in research, development and innovation. Examples include advancements in water management, environmental data, quantum computing or immunology.
Next steps
The Commission has sent its preliminary assessment to the Economic and Financial Committee, which has four weeks to deliver its opinion. Following a positive opinion, the Commission will adopt a payment decision enabling the €378.1 million disbursement to Finland.
Background
Finland submitted its second RRF payment request on 11 October 2024. The request is based on the implementation of 27 milestones and targets, set out in Finland’s recovery and resilience plan.
The plan includes a wide range of investments and reforms aimed at making the Finnish economy and society more sustainable, resilient and prepared for the green and digital transitions.
A total of €1.95 billion in grants has been allocated to support its implementation under the Recovery and Resilience Facility.
Once this payment is completed, the funds disbursed to Finland under the Facility will reach €876.9 million, representing over 28% of all milestones and targets in the plan fulfilled.
For more information
- You can explore an interactive map of RRF-financed reforms and investments to see how they are being deployed locally.
- Open data on the RRF can be accessed on the Recovery and Resilience Scoreboard, which tracks its implementation and progress.
- The text of the Commission’s preliminary assessment offers details on the milestones and targets preliminarily assessed as satisfactorily fulfilled.
- The Recovery and Resilience Facility Regulation sets out the framework and objectives of the RRF.
Source – EU Commission