Court sends South Ostrobothnia funding decision back for review

South Ostrobothnia’s wellbeing services county has won an appeal over its 2025 funding, Yle reports. The Vaasa Administrative Court has annulled the Ministry of Finance’s funding decision and returned it to the ministry for reconsideration.

County director Tero Järvinen described the ruling as nationally significant.

“When common funds are distributed, funding must be allocated transparently, fairly and on the basis of reliable data,” Järvinen told Yle. He said the issue had previously been avoided and had not been addressed with the seriousness it deserved.

The decision can be appealed. Järvinen expects the Ministry of Finance to file an appeal.

South Ostrobothnia’s wellbeing services county is currently subject to an assessment procedure because of its budget deficits. It has also appealed its 2026 funding decision.