Finland seeks EU aid to mitigate structural change in Äänekoski, Päijät-Häme

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment submitted two applications this month to the European Commission for support from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF), said the ministry in a press release on Tuesday.

he funding would be used to help redundant workers in Äänekoski and Päijät-Häme to find new jobs, develop their competences and retrain for other sectors.

The first application seeks funding for the Äänekoski area, where a structural change and redundancies in the wood products industry have had a substantial effect on the region’s labour market.

The Ministry is applying for support for around 220 people made redundant in the wood products industry and companies linked to it. The total amount applied for is EUR 1.3 million.

The application for the Päijät-Häme region seeks to mitigate the weak employment situation caused by changes in several sectors and the resulting redundancies.

The Ministry is applying for support for approximately 780 people made redundant in a number of sectors.

The total amount applied for is EUR 1.9 million.

The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund provides help to workers who have lost their jobs as a result of major structural changes.

The funding can be allocated to, for example, career and job search guidance, continuing education and training, and entrepreneurship coaching, all based on regional needs.

Of the total budget of a project implemented with EGF support, 60 per cent comes from the EU and the remainder is funded nationally. The support period cannot exceed two years.