Policy instruments
Discover the policy instruments that the partners of this project are tackling.
A means for public intervention. It refers to any policy, strategy, or law developed by public authorities and applied on the ground to improve a specific territorial situation. In most cases, financial resources are associated with a policy instrument. However, an instrument can also sometimes refer to a legislative framework with no specific funding. In the context of Interreg Europe, operational programmes for Investment for Growth and Jobs as well as Cooperation Programmes from European Territorial Cooperation are policy instruments. Beyond EU cohesion policy, local, regional, or national public authorities also develop their own policy instruments.
The city strategy is the most important political instrument in the city. It guides all activities and investments of the city towards the vision 2030: "Sustainable Lahti". It consists of three main targets: 1. Sustainable vitality, 2. Sustainable well-being and 3. ‘Sustainable progress’ that overarch many sub-objectives and measures. For example, ‘Sustainable vitality’ includes carbon neutrality in 2025, attractive city centre, and developing urban zone more sustainably. Monitored organisational sustainable progress targets include, e.g., more open and accurate information and improved customer service.
Monitored well-being targets include, e.g., more healthy and physically active residents, less social isolation and exclusion, children that are happier, safer and lead healthier lifestyles, greener environment for residents to enjoy, increased biodiversity, and increased residents’ involvement in local decision-making.
Lahti Regional Health and Environment Programme is linked to the strategy as a key project under ‘Carbon neutral 2025’ sub-objective. It sets out to find synergies and promote OH principles through a more holistic approach and cross-sectoral collaboration. It aims to support a system-level change among stakeholders, incl. community, decision makers and citizens. In addition to Lahti city, it is jointly developed, implemented, and monitored with the University of Helsinki and with the Well-being Services County of Päijät-Häme.
Partners working on this policy instrument

The Local Health Contract (CLS) aims to guide all actions in line with OH, ensuring human health is addressed alongside environmental and animal health. CLS spans five years, with the latest iteration running from 2022 to 2027. The CLS is a structural policy instrument for consolidating local partnerships on health concerns.
To achieve this, the contract includes 43 action sheets organized around four main priorities:
1. Promote healthy environments.
2. Develop and enhance prevention, promotion, and health education.
3. Promote access to healthcare and rights for all.
4. Foster coordination, networking, and expertise within the healthcare ecosystem.
& one additional a cross-cutting priority focused on WHO's OH approach to offer a unified understanding of health – considering human health as interconnected with environmental and animal health.
Approximately one-fourth of linked actions, around 10 in number, are dedicated to the resolution of these health issues of establishments open to the public. This emphasis underscores the pivotal role played by the built environment in shaping health outcomes, thereby spotlighting the imperative of reconfiguring the governance mechanisms governing the renovation of such establishments.
Partners working on this policy instrument

The concept of OH can be closely related to Programme Region of Valencia ERDF 2021-2027 (FEDER) – it aims to promote sustainable development, innovation and improvement of quality of life through cooperation and integration of multiple sectors.
FEDER currently funds:
- sustainable development through investments in infrastructure, technology, and innovation that improve the competitiveness and sustainability of regions.
- technological and scientific innovation that may include advanced health surveillance systems, waste management, and sanitation technologies.
- key infrastructures such as water supply, sanitation, and waste management, which are essential for public and environmental health.
- capacity-building programs for professionals in various sectors, including health and the environment.
- environmental work, incl. biodiversity protection or pollution reduction.
- addressing emerging health and environmental challenges.
Hence, FEDER is highly compatible for financing the implementation of integrated projects that promote public, animal, and environmental health in a coordinated and efficient manner, and in line with the principles of the OH approach.
Partners working on this policy instrument

The Climate City Contract 2030 (CCC) of Suceava City is a strategic document including an Action Plan, an Investment Plan and Commitments. It defines ambitious aims and an approach to climate neutrality. Currently, its measures target particularly energy consumption and GHG emissions based on a joint city vision that was collectively developed – a cleaner, healthier future. CCC’s amendment, Suceava's Climate Action Plan illustrates a roadmap with concrete commitments and actions towards becoming a Net Zero City.
The theme of actions, activities and initiatives achieved through the Climate Contract of the Municipality of Suceava, are structured as follows:
- Urban mobility
- Renewable energy
- Energy efficiency in buildings
- Public lighting
- Waste management
- Water management
- Public spaces
- Involving stakeholders (residents, businesses, public administration, etc.)
Suceava plans CCC to go beyond just climate change and contributing to Suceava's broader vision for the future. By promoting sustainable practices and resource efficiency, the city desires to also, e.g., improve economical security, attracting investment and talent, particularly within the green economy sector, and enhance the overall quality of life.
The Regional Strategic Program on Health Security and Social Vulnerability (RSP) was created in 2021 and is one of the five regional strategic programmes under the overall Development Strategy 2030, the main strategy of Pomorskie V. The RSP sets up strategic activities in line with regional priorities, and influences the allocation of EU funds, national funds, and the voivodeship’s budget in addition budgets for medical facilities.
The main priorities of the RSP are:
P1 Health security
P2 Patient safety in their environment
P3 Healthcare resources
The RSP does not yet explicitly refer to OH, but includes relevant elements, e.g., health security and prevention, appropriate health care resources and e-health, incl. effective electronic systems. At the same time, the overarching DS is highlighting the challenges posed by climate change and the need to enhance environmental and energy security, strive for climate neutrality, reduce emissions, and implement a circular economy.
Under the RSP priorities, measures are listed for prevention, diagnosis and therapy, infrastructure, development of e-health technologies, and supporting research and development activities and innovation (RDI). Planned investments should be characterized by energy efficiency and remain in line with sustainable development.
It is challenging to integrate these health and environment goals in a holistic and cost-effective way.
Partners working on this policy instrument

The Air and Climate Plan (PAC) is a strategic document that was approved in 2022, and sets targets for 2025, 2030 and 2050. The Plan has 49 Actions grouped in 5 Scopes, as described below.
1. Air Quality: reduce air pollution levels to meet at first EU limits and then WHO guidelines.
2. Urban Mobility: promoting the “15-minute city” concept, reducing the use of private cars and fostering active mobility and public transports.
3. Climate Change Mitigation: reducing CO2 emissions by 45% by 2030, compared to 2005, and becoming carbon neutral by 2050. (E.g., increased use of renewable energy and improved energy efficiency of buildings.)
4. Climate Change Adaptation: enhancing resilience mainly through the implementation of NBSs, to reduce climate risks and foster wellbeing of the most exposed parts of the population.
5. Socio-economic impacts, inclusion: involve the citizens in its implementation, balancing environmental goals with social equity and economic development, and ensuring that the benefits of climate action are shared equitably among residents and city users.
Its Monitoring Program was approved in 2022 and reported/updated biennially. The program will track progress, evaluate the environmental effectiveness of measures, monitor costs and resources, and assess social, health and economic impacts. Furthermore, the program will define corrective measures if there were significant deviations from the targets.
Partners working on this policy instrument
