Havaintoja hyvinvointialueiden toiminnan käynnistymisestä ja suhteesta kuntiin: HALKO-hankkeen väliraportti

The HALKO project's interim report details a reform in Finland’s public administration, focusing on wellbeing services counties. This reform has influenced relationships, operations, roles, management, and guidance among municipalities, the state, and wellbeing services counties, as well as local self-government and citizens' participation opportunities.
Tensions have arisen concerning the reform model, limited self-government of wellbeing services counties, strict state control, economic conditions, power distribution, and decision-making culture. The reform introduces a new democratic administrative level, granting residents statutory rights to participate and influence.
It creates a new interpretation of self-government in a regional context, distinct from municipal self-government, affecting inter-administrative cooperation.
The interim report provides early observations on the wellbeing services counties and their relationships with municipalities, offering four development recommendations: improving decision-making and preparation processes, clarifying responsibility divisions, enhancing residents' participation opportunities in decision-making, and fostering public discussion on self-government interpretations.