Regional Council of North Karelia

The work in the office of the Regional Council of North Karelia is led by Region Mayor Markus Hirvonen, who is assisted by a staff of approx­im­ately 45 persons.

The Regional Council of North Karelia is regional, polit­ic­ally guided, municipal coali­tion for the devel­op­ment and interest super­vi­sion in the region. It is respons­ible for regional planning and general coordin­a­tion of regional devel­op­ment programs related to national and EU struc­tural funds. The Council oversees the interests of the people, municip­al­ities, organ­iz­a­tions and enter­prises and speaks on their behalf regarding both national and inter­na­tional questions.

The work of the Regional Council is inter­sect­oral; it cooper­ates between different admin­is­trative sectors, organ­iz­a­tions, business life and inhab­it­ants. It outlines regional devel­op­ment targets, key projects and measures through the regional planning system that consists of the regional devel­op­ment plan, the regional strategic programme and the regional land use plan. Regional Council is also in charge of inter­na­tional activ­ities of the region in its fields of activities.

The highest decision-making body of regional admin­is­tra­tion is the Regional Council Assembly, which is elected by a meeting of deleg­ates from the member local author­ities. Executive functions are carried out by the Admin­is­trative Board, which is elected by the Assembly. This system of elected repres­ent­at­ives ensures that the inhab­it­ants and local author­ities have their own say on regional issues and decision-making.