Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment

The Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres) are responsible for the regional implementation and development tasks of the central government.

Finland has a total of 15 ELY Centres, which are tasked with promoting regional competitiveness, well-being and sustainable development and curbing climate change.

ELY Centres have three areas of responsibility:

  • Business and industry, labour force, competence and cultural activities
  • Transport and infrastructure
  • Environment and natural resources

The Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment steer and supervise the activities of the Employment and Economic Development Offices (TE Offices).  Not all ELY Centres deal with all three areas of responsibility as they can also manage duties on each others' behalf.

The following ELY Centres deal with all three areas of responsibility:

  • Lapland
  • North Ostrobothnia
  • South Ostrobothnia
  • Central Finland
  • Pirkanmaa
  • Southwest Finland
  • Uusimaa
  • North Savo
  • Southeast Finland

The following ELY Centres deal with two areas of responsibility: (Business and industry, labour force, competence and cultural activities and environment and natural resources):

  • Häme
  • Kainuu
  • North Karelia
  • South Savo

The following ELY Centres deal with only one area of responsibility: (Business and industry, labour force, competence and cultural activities):

  • Ostrobothnia
  • Satakunta

The Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment come under the administrative branch of the Ministry of Employment and the Economy. ELY Centres also deal with tasks coming under the administrative branches of the Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Transport and Communications, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Education and Culture and Ministry of the Interior.