Cohesion and Competitiveness Programme (COCO) as a Tool for Regions Networking

The Cohesion and Competitiveness Programme (COCO) is the government’s special programme for regional policy. It was launched for the period 2010–2013 and there are 52 programme regions. The Ministry of Employment and the Economy is responsible for the national coordination of the programme.

National development supports a nationwide network of regions with multiple centres, comprising urban regions and the surrounding rural areas. The intention is to make Finnish regions attractive for enterprises and residents alike and needs broad-based innovative development for living environments. The objective is to reduce economic, social and regional differences in development, i.e. to improve cohesion inside regions and between them. The programme is also proactive tool for improving the development of existing conditions of a region, and for launching strategically significant projects.

National Thematic Networks

KOKO is active tool for regions networking. Networks facilitate collective learning, allow sharing of success and exchange of information and also promote interaction between urban and rural regions, beneficial for both parties concerned. Seven national networks were launched at the beginning of 2010. The network themes are

National DEMO Network

DEMO Regions Network is national network which is geared to the specific problems of regions facing the challenge of an ageing or declining population or both. Finland is ageing faster than in other parts of the European Union. At the same time European NUTS 2 regions population will decrease significantly. This problem is particularly momentous in rural areas. They are losing primarily young and well educated people. The corresponding decline in population density has important consequences for both social and technical infrastructure. National network concentrates on benchmarks and indicators for services and search for practical solutions especially in the fields of local economy, housing, traffic, education and health services.

Objectives of DEMO Network

• Improve inter-regional cooperation and networking (17 regions)
• Increase know-how about development instruments and how to deal actively with demographic changeImplementation trough the Regional Development Training which produces tools and resources for regional developers to explore social, economic and demographic issues
• Support regional analysis and local mapping to congregate the plan for development
• Gain knowledge about a necessary adaptation of European policy concerning declining and ageing population
• Concentrate on benchmarks and indicators for services and search for practical solutions especially in the fields of local economy, housing, traffic, education and health servicesImplementation trough thematic pilots