aluehallitus

Aluehallitus is a Finnish term that translates to "regional government" or "regional council." These bodies were established as part of the administrative reform in Finland that began in the early 2000s. Their primary role was to coordinate regional development, planning, and services across a defined geographical area.

There were five regional governments in mainland Finland and one in the autonomous Åland Islands. Each regional government was composed of elected representatives from the municipalities within its jurisdiction. The responsibilities of the aluehallitus included implementing national regional policies, promoting economic development, managing environmental issues, and coordinating social and healthcare services at a regional level. They also played a role in spatial planning and land use.

The establishment of aluehallitus aimed to streamline public administration, improve the efficiency of service provision, and strengthen regional identity and competitiveness. However, the structure and functions of these bodies have undergone further reforms. In recent years, there has been a significant shift towards centralizing healthcare and social services under larger wellbeing services counties (hyvinvointialueet), which has altered the operational scope of the former aluehallitus. The Åland Islands, with its self-governing status, maintains its own regional administrative structures.