We are developing maritime Southwest Finland to be a region, where the quality of living is the best. A succesful region is built with partnership and cooperation. We create cooperation over municipal and sector borders and we are an influential actor in the Baltic Sea region. The Regional Council of Southwest Finland is an authority for regional development and organization for planning and promoting regional interests. 27 municipalities belong to the Council. The Regional Council is also responsible for international regional co-operation. Decisions are made by democratic organs: the Assembly and the Managing Board. The european infoservice Europe Direct is situated in the Regional Councils locations, as well as Valonia, the Service Centre for Sustainable Development and Energy of Southwest Finland. Open data and regional information is shared by the regional information service Lounaistieto.