Seutukunnallinen

Seutukunnallinen refers to a type of local government in Finland, which is a form of municipal governance that combines elements of both municipalities and regions. The term "seutukunnallinen" translates to "sub-regional" or "sub-district" in English. This system was introduced in 2017 as part of the Finnish municipal reform, which aimed to streamline local government structures and improve efficiency.

Under the seutukunnallinen system, municipalities are grouped into larger administrative units called seutukunnat, which are responsible for certain regional services and functions. These seutukunnat are typically led by a seutukunnanjohtaja, who is appointed by the municipalities within the seutukunta. The primary goal of this system is to allow municipalities to share resources and expertise more effectively, while also providing a platform for regional cooperation and planning.

The seutukunnallinen system has been implemented in various parts of Finland, with the number of seutukunnat varying by region. The specific functions and responsibilities of seutukunnat can differ depending on the local context and the agreements between the participating municipalities. Overall, the seutukunnallinen system represents a significant shift in Finnish local government, aiming to create more integrated and efficient administrative structures at the regional level.