Kuopio’s Priorities for the Government Programme

The city contributes concrete proposals to the national debate on strengthening Finland’s strategic competitiveness, supporting business growth, and safeguarding wellbeing and security under four main themes:

Connectivity and effective transport infrastructure
Green transition and comprehensive security
Skills, education and human capital
Strong university cities as the foundation of Finland’s attractiveness and wellbeing

Kuopio has published its priorities for Finland’s Government Programme for 2027–2031. At their core is a Finland capable of renewal, building sustainable growth, security and vitality throughout the country. Kuopio emphasises that challenging times call for long-term solutions, strong cooperation and a bold direction for the future.

A Thriving Finland is built together

Challenging times call for courage and the ability to find solutions, as well as responsibility and cooperation. Finland has decades of experience of this as a nation, having worked together to build a modern welfare society in the aftermath of war. This visionary cooperation has resulted in a Finland that is vibrant and secure, and a good place to live, thrive and create something new.

We are living through a period that can seem discouraging. Climate change is progressing faster than anticipated, the geopolitical security environment has changed dramatically in a short period of time, living standards in Finland have not risen in 15 years, while public debt and unemployment have increased significantly. At the same time, trust in democracy is being challenged both from within and from outside, a trend further amplified by algorithms and artificial intelligence.

It is precisely at a time like this that we must pursue change with determination and courage and turn towards sustainable growth and vitality, strategically and with a long-term perspective. As Sitra highlights in its Megatrends 2026 report, there is now a need for purposeful societal renewal to secure a resilient future. Sitra calls for a new social contract to establish and implement a shared vision for Finland’s future.

Kuopio is fully committed to this work. Municipalities and cities have valuable experience in managing change and developing new models of cooperation and partnerships that enable vitality and growth. We want to bring solutions and tools to the table to safeguard Finland’s strategic competitiveness and security of supply, enable sustainable business growth and new investment, strengthen Finland’s vitality, and safeguard social stability and wellbeing.

Soile Lahti
Mayor of Kuopio

Aleksi Eskelinen
Chair of the Kuopio City Board

Developing transport infrastructure and improving connectivity are matters of both competitiveness and security. Investment is needed in transport networks and connections throughout Finland.

Funding the development and maintenance of the state-owned transport network is the responsibility of central government. At the same time, Finland should make full use of EU funding for the development of the entire TEN-T network.

Security of supply, transport connections for export industries and the full utilisation of EU funding require a second north-south TEN-T transport corridor in Finland.

An effective transport system requires comprehensive, long-term planning. The 12-year National Transport System Plan should be further strengthened and strategic planning developed.

Transport infrastructure requires a systematic and targeted funding model. One option to be considered is establishing a transport network maintenance and development fund administered by the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency and separate from operating expenditure.

The national airport network should be developed into a network of strong, market-based regional hub airports by strengthening their travel chains, accessibility and international connections.

Kuopio’s priorities
- Reducing journey times and increasing capacity on the Savo railway line, and initiating planning for a double-track railway
- A dedicated national funding framework for the TEN-T network in Eastern Finland
- Developing Kuopio Airport as an airport of national importance
- Including the Finnish National Road 5 corridor in the EU TEN-T Core Network
Mitigating and adapting to climate change and halting biodiversity loss require ambition, resources and consistent national policies.

Finland’s investment in research, development and innovation must be increased to six per cent of GDP. Funding for both basic and applied research should be increased and innovation ecosystems strengthened.

Health technology and innovative therapies are key areas of future growth that attract RDI investment and talent to Finland. Gene, cell and nanotherapies should be established as a strategic growth sector for Finland.

The potential of artificial intelligence should be harnessed safely to enable new growth and the scaling of innovations. Finland’s national AI strategy should be updated, with investment in skills and education.

A modern industrial policy should focus on accelerating the green and digital transitions through measures including consistent regulation and public procurement, as well as investment in critical technologies and the bioeconomy and circular economy.

The operating conditions of high-value-added startups and growth companies must be secured by strengthening domestic venture capital and business financing and enhancing national and international business incubator and accelerator activities.

Finland’s comprehensive security cooperation model and a dedicated centre of expertise can provide solutions for strengthening resilience in Europe. The establishment of a national centre of expertise should be promoted.

International tourism creates regional vitality and jobs. Year-round tourism should be promoted sustainably throughout Finland, while respecting the carrying capacity of nature.

Kuopio’s priorities
- Permanent funding for the national toxicology expertise network operating in Kuopio and coordinated by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL)
- Launching the national Centre of Expertise in Comprehensive Security in Kuopio
- Strengthening Kuopio’s role as a leading European centre of expertise in gene, cell and nanotechnologies
A safe and caring community provides the foundation for social resilience and vitality. Measures to support wellbeing, work ability and a sense of community in Finland must be strengthened.

The number of higher education places must be increased sustainably while maintaining a strong focus on quality. Pathways from vocational education to higher education and smooth transitions from education to working life should also be strengthened.

Finland needs skills-based immigration. The employment and integration of international students and skilled professionals in Finland should be strengthened by removing potential legislative barriers.

The employment funding model should encourage employment and prevent unemployment, while taking regional differences in unemployment structures and demographic trends into account.

Growth, employment and productivity depend on a high level of education. The proportion of each age group completing a higher education degree should be increased to 60 per cent by 2040.

The continuing transformation of the labour market requires people to regularly update their skills and train for new professions. Investment in lifelong learning is an investment in the renewal of Finland’s economy and the creation of new jobs.

Employment areas should have full responsibility for organising and developing their services and be able to develop regional solutions and pilots based on employer and labour market needs, making use of foresight and continuous learning.

Wellbeing strengthens vitality and provides a foundation for employment. Early support for work ability should be strengthened. Physical, cultural and social activity should also be supported, alongside stronger substance abuse and mental health services.

Kuopio’s priorities
- The development of growth sectors in the Kuopio region requires proactive and regionally targeted workforce policy.
- Kuopio combines a strong concentration of higher education institutions, work-based immigration and an extensive employment area consisting of several municipalities. Employment policy should recognise the different structural circumstances and target groups of employment areas.
- Kuopio’s role as a regional driver: the system of central government transfers to municipalities should recognise municipalities’ role as pilot environments for developing skills-related services.
The role of university cities as engines of vitality must be strengthened. Finland needs a new vision for national urban policy that recognises the regional role of university cities as drivers of growth.

Municipalities play a key role in ensuring comprehensive security and psychological resilience in times of crisis. Their ability to provide high-quality essential public services and the foundations for a good and safe everyday life must be safeguarded under all circumstances.

Innovative cities accelerate business renewal and sustainable urban development. Innovation ecosystem agreements between central government and cities should be continued and developed on a long-term, consistent and equitable basis, building on and strengthening the existing model.

Shared solutions are needed to address the diverging development of municipalities. The future role, responsibilities and funding system of municipalities should be examined as a whole through parliamentary cooperation rather than through separate sector-specific reforms.

MAL agreements for major city regions support regional vitality and smooth everyday life. The agreements should be continued and developed on a long-term, consistent and equitable basis, strengthening the existing model.

High housing costs increase regional inequality and create barriers to economic growth. Central government interest subsidy authorisations and investment grants enable the construction of affordable housing and the regeneration of older residential areas.

Kuopio’s priorities

Kuopio is a growing city. Central government transfers should reflect the current responsibilities of municipalities and enable them to meet residents’ service needs and invest in the future.

Kuopio’s sustainable growth is being built around high-frequency trunk bus routes. MAL agreements should enable sustainable urban mobility through different modes of transport and technological solutions.

Kuopio promotes the regeneration of older residential areas. MAL agreements should continue to provide investment grants for the renovation and development of suburban residential areas.