Regional Council of North Karelia

The Regional Council of North Karelia is a public regional authority in accordance with the Regional Development Act (national law). The areas of responsibility of the Regional Council of North Karelia include:

- economic development,

- regional planning

- safeguarding of regional interests and

- creation of the knowledge infrastructure.

The Regional Council of North Karelia is a federation owned by the region's 16 municipalities. The Regional Council of North Karelia employs 50 persons (including temporary staff such as project managers). Professionals with wide experience in project management, regional development, strategy formulation and cross-border activities. 

The office is divided into six groups responsible for implementation of the acts and operation. The work in the office of the Regional Council of North Karelia is led by Executive Director Pentti Hyttinen

The goal of the Regional Council of North Karelia is to promote regional development initiatives, the regional balance and environmentally sustainable development in co-operation with the State and the local government, businesses, universities, research institutes and non-governmental organisations. 

The Regional Council of North Karelia is the authority responsible for co-ordination and management of the regional funds, Objective 1 programmes, Innovative Actions programme and Euregio Karelia Neighbourhood Programme. It also has own transnational projects such as Euregio Karelia. 

Organisation

The highest decision-making body of the Regional Council of North Karelia is the Assembly, which convenes a couple of times during the year. All 55 members of the Assembly are elected municipal council members.

The practical management of the Regional Council of North Karelia is taken care of by the 11-member Managing Board appointed by the Assembly. The constitution of the Managing Board is defined according to the support given to political parties in municipal elections and to the relative size of sub-regions. The Managing Board convenes monthly to discuss issues and make decisions presented by the Executive Director.  

The Board of Inspection supervises the appropriateness and efficacy of the Regional Council's operation and economy. The five-member Inspection Board, which answers directly to the Regional Council, is assisted in its work by the Council's auditor.

Assembly of the Regional Council
- Chairman Mr. Seppo Eskelinen

Board of the Regional Council
- Chairman Mrs. Anu Niemi