Key areas of the proposal include strengthening emergency medical services and training healthcare staff for crisis conditions. Photo: Laura Ukkonen / Lehtikuva
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The Finnish government has proposed €300 million in targeted funding to help regional welfare areas prepare for potential wartime conditions. The funding would support investment in critical services and infrastructure, as well as cooperation with the Defence Forces and NATO.
In a legislative proposal discussed at Thursday’s cabinet session, the government outlined new responsibilities for the country’s 21 wellbeing services counties. The proposal would require regions to provide official support to the Finnish Defence Forces, Border Guard, NATO, and allied forces in the event of conflict.
Key areas include strengthening emergency medical services, relocating critical operations, and training healthcare staff for crisis conditions.
The proposal includes an investment plan of €300 million over five years. In addition, the cost of maintaining the required readiness level is estimated at €30 million per year.
Funds would not be distributed according to the standard regional financing model. Instead, allocations would be made separately, based on each region’s strategic role in national defence. The government notes that military and logistical needs vary significantly between regions.
Preparedness measures would include making medical and emergency operations physically mobile, reinforcing health infrastructure, and expanding capacity for emergency response in conflict scenarios.
If passed, the law would formalise peacetime preparations for regional wartime duties and integrate welfare areas more closely into Finland’s broader security framework.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
