• 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 14 municipalities. It 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 is led by Region Mayor Pentti Hyttinen

The goal of the Council 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 Council is  in charge of the implementation of the Competitiveness and Employment Programme of North Karelia (ERDF and ESF, Objective 2, Phasing-In). The Council has been in charge of the implementation and co-ordination of the Structural Fund programmes of Objective 6 (1994 - 1999), Objective 1 (2000 - 2006), Innovative Actions programme and Euregio Karelia Neighbourhood Programme, Interreg II A Karelia (1994 -1999) and Interreg III A Karelia (2000 - 2006) in the region of North Karelia. North Karelia has international contacts with the European Union and European regions, as well as with the Republic of Karelia in Russia. Currently the Council is preparing in cooperation the ENPI CBC Karelia Programme. RCNK has had experience in international EU projects since 1994.

Memberships in international organisations and networks:

• AER (Assembly of European Regions)
• AEBR (Association of European Border Regions)
• Committee of the Regions (AER)
•  Eris@ (The European Regional Information Society Association)
  

Established in 1999, the East Finland EU Office is the common European liaison office of the four regions of eastern Finland: North Karelia, South Savo, North Savo and Kainuu. The office focuses on policy follow-up and the identification of the financial opportunities offered by EU-funded programmes and Community initiatives. The office also searchers for partners in other European regions and provides a rendezvous point and office facilities for visitors from the regions.


Organisation

The highest decision-making body of the Council is the Assembly, which convenes a couple of times during the year. All 53 members of the Assembly are elected municipal council members.

The practical management of the Council 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.

The tasks of Regional Councils