Council of Oulu Region

The twelfth application period for projects (ERDF) of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia for the 2021-2027 programming period ended on 30 September 2026. During the application period, 78 new applications were received by the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia. The applications applied for funding from the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia totalling approximately EUR 13,966 million. Decisions on applications for positive follow-up will be delivered in November 2026. The next application period for new ERDF projects will run from June to September 2027. The funding to be applied for at that time is estimated at EUR 3,000,000. In addition, the application period for JTF projects will be implemented in early February-March 2027. Approximately EUR 2.500.000 in JTF funding is being applied for. The timetables and contents of the application periods will be specified after the granting powers have been confirmed in early 2027.

The Regional Assembly will discuss artificial intelligence, the future and what is true in social media The Regional Assembly of Northern Ostrobothnia will gather decision-makers, experts and influencers from the region to the Oulu Theatre on 2-3 November. In two days, the focus will be on technological change and its effects: artificial intelligence, the future and media literacy and culture. Monday's theme is Artificial Intelligence and the future. The keynote speaker of the day is technology influencer and Silo AI co-founder Tero Ojanperä. Together with Inka Mero, Ojanperä has written the book Radical Solutions - Seven Bold Acts for Finland, published in 2026. During the day, artificial intelligence will also be examined from the perspectives of science, computing infrastructure and ethics. Among the speakers on these topics are Minister of Science and Culture Mari-Leena Talvitie, Director of LUMI AI Factory Pekka Manninen and Researcher of AI Ethics Lauri Tuovinen. In the afternoon, people will be asked who has the decision-making power in technological change. Members of Parliament from North Ostrobothnia will discuss in a panel under the title Artificial intelligence does not decide, but people. At the end of the day, the futurist, non-fiction writer and inventor Perttu Pölönen will reflect on what remains of the human being as work, know-how and leadership change in the age of artificial intelligence. What is true about social media? Tuesday's theme is Media Literacy and Culture. The programme of the day will begin with a video greeting from Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Joakim Strand. What Niemelä, Budget Manager at the Ministry of Finance, opens up the outlook for public finances and comments on his speech from the perspective of the younger generation by Jonne Haapala, Chair of the Board of the Student Union of the University of Oulu. Researcher and science communicator Pauli Ohukainen and non-fiction writer and educator Harto Pönkä grasp the "confidential facts" of social media: How to distinguish reliable information from claims that only sound convincing? The two-day speeches, arguments and insights are finally pulled together by the Oulu-based improvisational theatre group Uniikki Unikorni – in its own way and without a ready-made script. Journalist Piia Pasanen is the host of the county day. Music will also be heard in the programme, and the Northern Ostrobothnia Prize and the Organisational Award will be awarded during the event. The Regional Days of Northern Ostrobothnia will be held from 2 to 3 November 2026 at the Oulu Theatre. Read more about the program and sign up! Programme Registration

Statement of the Regional Governors of Eastern and Northern Finland 29.9.2026 Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has today strongly expressed Finland's concern that EU funding will continue to secure special funding for the northern sparsely populated areas of Finland (NSPA). This must be part of Finland's key objectives for the next EU funding period 2028-34. NSPA funding increases the amount of EU funding received by Finland as a whole and is a critical factor for the special circumstances of Eastern and Northern Finland, and it is not excluded from other EU funding received by Finland or increases Finland's EU payments. NSPA funding increases the amount of EU funding for Finland as a whole, the yield with which we can compensate for regional, economic and social differences. This EU cohesion policy aims to reduce regional disparities and strengthen European competitiveness. When Finland and Sweden joined the EU, it was recognised that the long distances, sparse population and harsh climatic conditions of Eastern and Northern Finland required special measures. Separate funding for Northern Sparsely Populated Areas (NSPA) was created to take these permanent handicaps into account, complementing other EU funding received by Finland. The French and Portuguese Overseas Territories (OCTs), among others, are also eligible for comparable separate funding on the basis of adverse conditions. The provincial leaders of Eastern and Northern Finland are currently in Brussels promoting these same themes. Further information from the Regional Governors of Eastern and Northern Finland: Hannu Takkula, tel. +358 400 203 300 vs. regional director, Lappi Heini Utunen regional director, Etelä-Savo Riikka Pirkkalainen regional director, Kainuu Jyrki Kaiponen regional director, Keski-Pohjanmaa Jussi Rämet regional director, Pohjois-Pohjanmaa Markus Hirvonen regional director, Pohjois-Karjala Tytti Määttä regional director, Pohjois-Savo