Parliament approves funding for Helsinki-Turku-Stockholm Transport study and Turku's Women's Health Competence Center
The matter is also timely from the perspective of changing EU funding priorities. In the future, a growing share of EU funding will be directed toward cross-border projects that link European capitals and enhance Europe's overall competitiveness.
This Wednesday, the Finnish Parliament decided on the allocation of the budget’s discretionary funds to initiatives considered important by Members of Parliament. The Turku region is particularly pleased about the funding granted for the study of a fixed Helsinki-Turku-Stockholm connection, as well as for the operations of the Women’s Health Competence Center.
Earlier this spring, Finland’s business community highlighted the need to strengthen the country’s westward international connections. Previous studies outlined in the government programme have focused on the Vaasa-Umeå and Helsinki-Tallinn connections. The newly approved €250,000 in funding will now allow similar information to be produced regarding a fixed Helsinki-Turku-Stockholm connection and its potential.
The matter is also timely from the perspective of changing EU funding priorities. In the future, a growing share of EU funding will be directed toward cross-border projects that link European capitals and enhance Europe’s overall competitiveness.
"A fixed Helsinki-Turku-Stockholm connection represents a historic shift in Finland’s geopolitical position and a tremendous opportunity for our economic development. It is crucial that its impacts are thoroughly assessed and feasible implementation options identified. There is a clear national will to strengthen westward connectivity," says Turku Mayor Piia Elo.
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The national Women’s Health Hub Finland
Parliament also allocated €70,000 to launch the operations of the national Women’s Health Hub Finland. The women’s health competence center was established in Turku in spring 2025 to address a significant challenge: globally, only about one percent of research and innovation funding is directed toward women’s diseases, excluding cancers.
The state’s contribution supports the Turku region’s ambition to build Europe’s leading research and innovation hub for women’s health, bringing together companies, research organizations, and healthcare providers.
"I am very pleased with the funding allocated to launch Women’s Health Hub Finland. Research into women’s health still receives far too few resources, and the Turku region has strong expertise to help address this imbalance. The competence center brings together research, companies, and healthcare actors, helping us translate innovations into practice while promoting health equality and strengthening the sector’s competitiveness in Finland," Elo states.
The national Women’s Health Hub Finland network consists of major pharmaceutical and diagnostics companies, researchers, and public-sector actors. The network is coordinated by Business Turku. Its objectives include enabling joint pilots and testing platforms, strengthening research and innovation activities, building public-private partnerships, and supporting the internationalization and export growth of companies in the sector.
Parliament’s funding decisions also included support for cultural actors in the Turku region. One recipient is Åbo Svenska Teater, which received €150,000 to cover relocation expenses during the theatre’s renovation period.