October marked a significant milestone for Finland —it was 30 years since people said "YES" to the European Union in a referendum where 56.7% of Finns supported EU membership. Today, according to the latest Eurobarometer, over 79% of Finns believe that Finland has benefited from being part of the EU.
To commemorate this occasion, our member Sari Rautio organised a successful #EPPLocalDialogue, with the support of the EPP-CoR Group. The event brought together dynamic speakers and an engaged audience, offering lively discussions on the impact of the EU at the local level.
Here are some highlights from the event:
Sari Rautio spoke about the role of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) in the EU, emphasizing that approximately 70% of EU legislation goes through CoR. She stressed the importance of multilevel governance and subsidiarity, ensuring that the EU remains close to its citizens—while citizens, in turn, feel closer to the EU.
Krista Taipale from the Häme EU Office - Häme Region presented various EU funding mechanisms and shared examples of successful projects in Häme. She also highlighted the importance of early collaboration to have a meaningful impact during the new Commission's term.
Katja Antikainen from Oma Häme delivered a clear and insightful presentation on how the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRP) funding is driving the development of innovative digital services in social and healthcare in Häme.
Jussi Pakari from LEADER Linnaseutu (which operates in the Linnaseutu region of Finland, focusing on improving the quality of life and boosting the local economy in rural areas) showcased the positive work being done outside city centres through LEADER projects, emphasising the role of rural development.
Throughout the evening, participants eagerly shared their personal experiences, raised questions, and contributed to the lively exchange of ideas.
Sari Rautio said "This EPP Local Dialogue truly embodied the spirit of working #together—just as the EU succeeds when we collaborate across regions, cities, and nations. As always, we remain committed to making the EU even better for its citizens. Let's continue the conversation and keep strengthening the EU from the ground up, because the EU starts in every region and city!"