news
Four projects from Northern Ostrobothnia received IP AKKE funding
Sustainable growth, regenerative investments, tourism and security are emphasised in cross-regional projects that advance towards funding programmes in Eastern and Northern Finland. The implementation of the Eastern and Northern Finland programmes is progressing through ten large-scale projects. The projects will strengthen the regions' vitality, investment capacity, tourism, food chain, overall safety, as well as research, testing and piloting activities. The available IP AKKE allocation of just under EUR 16 million will be fully allocated to projects that have been successful in the evaluation of the first selection period. 33 applications were submitted for the first selection period for a total amount of more than EUR 52 million. The project steering group assessed the applications and processed them on 18 August 2026, selecting ten projects with which the Association of South Karelia will continue the financing negotiations. As a result of these selections, the appropriation will be allocated to projects in the first selection period and the application process has therefore been suspended. This is preliminary information. Positive applications are currently being supplemented and refined before the actual financing decisions are taken. The Regional Council of South Karelia acts as the funding authority for the project. In Northern Ostrobothnia, four projects receive an IP AKKE grant. The project, coordinated by the development company Naturpolis Oy, brings together 17 municipalities along the eastern border. The aim is to strengthen the municipalities' common situational picture, comprehensive security know-how, preparedness, cooperation and communication, and to support the vitality of the eastern border and the remaining inhabited. The project, coordinated by the University of Oulu, will build a centre of excellence based on cooperation between northern research stations. The project collects and opens information on nature, climate, atmosphere, biodiversity, carbon cycles and water bodies. Information is produced for use by society, research and other users, and common data services, interfaces and pilots are developed. VESKA - Sustainable growth from water and fishing tourism to the north The project, coordinated by Naturpolis Oy, develops water and fishing tourism in Eastern Lapland, Koillismaa and Kainuu. Companies are supported in internationalisation, developing new products and routes, accessing sales channels and strengthening the region's international reputation. Borderland Europe - Northern testing and piloting ecosystem A project coordinated by the City of Oulu will build a cross-regional testing and piloting ecosystem for defence and dual-use technologies in Northern Finland. The aim is to connect companies, R&D actors, testing environments and user organisations, and to create a pathway for companies from research to piloting, validation and market. Additional information: Heli Gynther, heli.gynther@ekarjala.fi, tel. +358 40 4855 109
Ingredients for growth visible – labour demand has not revived
Recent economic data do not come as a big surprise. The turnover of industries continues to grow steadily, but the number of employees has not started to increase. In several clusters, such as ICT, the number of employees is on a downward trend. Only in the metal cluster has the labour force increased moderately. Recruitment is increasingly affected by general uncertainty and technological developments. However, the growth in turnover in the industries is so strong that employment is likely to improve. The big question is when and where is it going to happen? However, excessive credit for the long-term positive impact of major projects on labour demand may be unrealistic. The situation of the ICT cluster, which is important for Oulu, is challenging. Revenue is increasing, but personnel is in a relatively strong decline. The ICT cluster has been characterized by strong monthly turnover fluctuations, in April the growth from the previous year was 12.1 per cent, but in May came down by 5.9 per cent. The impact of AI can be seen in the demand for the cluster's workforce, at least indirectly. Companies closely monitor the development and deployment of AI and anticipate the need for workforce in relation to it. The trump card of the future is 6G mobile technology, the developer of which Oulu plays a key role globally. Construction has been active for several semesters. From 2025, net sales increased by 2.3 per cent and the number of employees decreased by the same amount. Residential construction is still quiet, but some new projects have started. The growth in net sales has come from the construction of industry, tourism and the public sector. Oulu hotel projects and later data centers will significantly increase construction. In the case of data centres, the key issue is how much local companies have access to it, and what is the capacity of the area's earthworks The electricity and energy cluster and the metal cluster are growing strongly. The growth of both from 2025 is in the order of 10%. In the metal cluster, the number of employees has also increased. Net sales growth has been more moderate in wholesale and retail trade and tourism, where the number of personnel has been decreasing. The year-on-year change in the wood and furniture industry was as much as 13.8 per cent and there was also an increase in the number of personnel. In all clusters, seasonality is high, especially in construction. In digital services, Finland's service sector is less developed than in the peer countries, which is also visible in Northern Ostrobothnia. The use of services is still difficult for many in our culture. Jobs in trade and services are important, especially for young people. The growth of many industries also depends on the development of digital services,…
Propose an organisation act for 2026
The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia requests proposals for the organisation work of Northern Ostrobothnia in 2026. Proposals can be submitted between 1 and 30 September 2026. This year's theme is Unlimited Culture. An organizational act does not have to be an isolated act; it can be understood and interpreted more broadly. In the selection of the organizational act of the year, the emphasis is on the crossing of borders and impact, as well as the role of volunteering in the association's operations. The applicant must be a registered local association. The association that won the organizational act of the year will receive 1,000 euros to support its activities. The decision on the organisation of the year is made by the Regional Government of Northern Ostrobothnia. The proposals for the organizational work of the year will be made by 30.9.2026 at 15.00 using the electronic Webropol form. The organisation act of the year 2026 will be announced at the Regional Parliament of Northern Ostrobothnia on 3 November 2026. The prize is now awarded for the eighth time. The message can be shared freely with your organisation and stakeholders! Additional information: Ilpo Tapaninen, Strategy Manager, Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, tel. +358 50 301 7546.
"Municipalities implementing the green transition" The 13th round of Structural Fund projects opens on 1 September 2026
The Regional Assembly of Oulu Region is applying for project funding from the EU's Regional and Structural Policy Programme Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 for specific objective 2.1 Promoting energy efficiency measures and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In particular, the call aims at municipality-based projects that develop and pilot local solutions and operating models to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In projects, a municipality, a community of municipalities or a region made up of several municipalities can act as a development and experimental environment for the green transition and bring together companies, residents, research and education organisations and other stakeholders in the region. The call encourages the development and implementation of new practices, technologies and solutions that improve energy efficiency or slow down climate change, as well as the increase of related know-how in municipal organisations. The projects can strengthen municipalities' competence and capacity to act in promoting the green transition, for example by developing operating models for energy efficiency and emissions assessment, sustainable public procurement practices, and by strengthening municipalities' climate and energy efficiency work. The aim is to improve, for example, the capacity of municipalities to utilise comparable emission data and to assess the emission reduction potential, costs and benefits of different measures to support decision-making. Concrete development and piloting measures and a clear description of the results to be achieved are requested from the projects. Projects can also carry out various studies to support municipalities’ capacity to contribute to the green transition. More information about applying for funding from this link
Sign up for the Northern Ostrobothnia Tourism Forum 2026!
Wednesday 14.10.2026 from 9.00 to 15.00 Venue: Hotel Lasaretti, Aurora Hall, Kasarmintie 13 B, Oulu Registration for the Northern Ostrobothnia Tourism Forum 2026 The most important tourism seminar in Northern Ostrobothnia will be held again in October - sign up! The event brings together tourism companies, developers and decision-makers to hear and discuss current topics and future opportunities in the field. This year's themes are the permanent impact of the title year on the region, the importance of events for tourism, and the role of artificial intelligence and responsibility in the sustainable and competitive development of tourism. Programme 8.00 Morning coffee and registration 9.00 Introduction to the event 9.05 Opening remarks Kristiina Hietasaari, Senior Director, Visit Finland 9.30 Keynote - Heritage of the European Capital of Culture Year Suvi Innilä, Turku 800 Project Director, City of Turku Innilä has served as Project Manager and Programme Director for the European Capital of Culture year 2011 and as Programme Manager for the centenary of Finland's independence. 9.50 Commentary and discussion 10.30 Break 10.50 Development of events in Kuusamo Niina Kukka, event manager, Ruka-Kuusamo Tourism Regional Assembly 11.05 Building a successful event, the significance of international tourism and the year of the Capital of Culture Oulu, Syöte and Kalajoki 11.45 Lunch, self-sufficient 13.00 Investments and accessibility development accelerated by the Year of Culture Oulu Chamber of Commerce and BusinessOulu 13.30 Artificial intelligence is changing tourism: What is worth doing now? Ville Niemijärvi, Artificial Intelligence Specialist, Senior Consultant, Flowhouse 14.00 Comment: YT Anderson, Visit Northern Finland 14.10 The situation and future of tourism funding Saija Tikkanen, Specialist in International Affairs, Regional Assembly of Oulu Region Pasi Loukasmäki, Head of Finance Unit, Vitality Centre 14.30 Oulu2026 End of the Capital of Culture year highlights Samu Forsblom, Programme Director, Oulu Cultural Foundation 14.45 Visit Northern Finland Current and closing words Y.T. Anderson, CEO, Visit Northern Finland Oy 15.00 Changes to the programme are possible. We will complete the speeches during the autumn. The event will be held at Hotel Lasaret in Oulu, but you can also participate remotely via stream. For the participants of the event, an accommodation quota is reserved from the hotel for a special price156 €/night/2hh. Reservations for rooms from the quota for 13-15 October must be made by 14 September at the latest using the reservation code "42402 Business Oulu 13.-15.10.2026". Reservations directly to the hotel by phone or e-mail: tel. +358 20 757 4701, lasaretti@lasaretti.com. Due to the limited capacity of the facilities, student groups are welcomed to follow the event via stream. Welcome to network, inspire and develop tourism together! The event is organized by BusinessOulu, Oulu Chamber of Commerce, Visit Northern Finland Oy and Northern Ostrobothnia…
Events
Track SOTEU benefits and speech online
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, delivers a State of the Union (SOTEU) address to the European Parliament every September. It summarizes the past [...]
North Ostrobothnia Food Economy Strategy and Development Days 6.10.-7.10.2026
Place: Poratie 5, 90140 Oulu (both days) Welcome to build the future of the food economy in Northern Ostrobothnia! The two-day event brings together actors in the field to discuss, network and direct joint development work. Register to [...]
