Veera Heinonen appointed as Sitra’s Head of EU Affairs in Brussels

Veera Heinonen will take responsibility for strengthening Sitra’s EU cooperation and partnerships in Brussels. The appointment supports Sitra’s goal of being present where crucial EU decisions for Finland are prepared.

Veera Heinonen will begin as Sitra’s new Head of European Union Affairs in Brussels on 1 October. She will be responsible for strengthening Sitra’s EU cooperation and partnerships. Many decisions central to Finland’s future are prepared and made in Brussels, and Sitra aims to be present where the direction of the European Union is shaped.

Heinonen succeeds Ilkka Räsänen, who earlier this year led the establishment of Sitra’s EU advocacy work in Brussels.

Veera Heinonen moves to the role from her position as Director of Sitra’s Foresight and Training function. Her expertise strengthens Sitra’s ability to identify EU‑level developments, build partnerships, and bring Finnish future-oriented thinking into European cooperation. The aim of the role is to provide input from Sitra’s foresight and innovation work to the EU’s renewal agenda.

“Sitra’s international work focuses broadly on addressing European and global challenges. This work is carried out in close cooperation with partners, and a stronger presence in Brussels supports this”, says Kristo Lehtonen, Director of Sitra’s International Programmes.

Veera Heinonen has a long career in societal change work at Sitra and in foreign and security policy at both the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Office of the President of the Republic. Before her civil service career and stints in diplomacy , Heinonen worked in various journalistic roles, including as a correspondent in London.

“It is great to be able to build Sitra’s EU influence in this new role. A significant share of legislation renewing Finland originates from the Union, and therefore Finnish institutions should be active in their anticipatory influence or, alternatively, offer solutions through EU RDI funding calls”, Heinonen says.

Strengthening Sitra’s presence in Brussels also benefits Finland, as Sitra’s foresight work and practical solutions become more firmly embedded in European discussions. At the same time, new solutions and perspectives are brought back to Finland. Sitra’s foresight work accelerates debate on major EU future issues such as enlargement, deepening of the single market, and geopolitics.

Elina Kiiski‑Kataja will serve as Acting Director of the Foresight and Training function until the position is filled permanently.

Further information:

Kristo Lehtonen +358 294 618 525
Veera Heinonen +358 50 372 5244

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