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Are you preparing a project application for the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia's Municipalities implementing the green transition application (ERDF)? Are there any challenges in the structure of the application, in the measures considered or, for example, in considering the results of a lump-sum project that you would like guidance on? Or has it been a while since the last project was prepared? The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia organises project sparring for applicants and opportunities to present projects in October. The purpose of the project clinics is to support the preparation of the project "Municipalities as implementers of the green transition". Two types of project preparation support are available: project sparring and project presentation. Participating in a project sparring or presentation does not guarantee a positive progress in the subsequent evaluation of applications. 1. PROJECTS - Monday 5.10. and Friday 16.10. Project sparring on the 5th of October focuses on projects that are still looking in their direction. This may be, for example, a reflection on the objectives and outputs of a lump sum project, the suitability of a project idea for an open call, or any other question related to project planning for which the applicant wishes to receive sparring. The project clinic works especially for applicants who have a period of time since the previous project or, for example, who are less familiar with the ERDF as a financial instrument. Sparring works in such a way that the project operator(s) book for 30 minutes from the Regional Development Manager (the already booked times will be updated on the page). Sparring is arranged through Teams. The actors present to the Association's experts the background information and the idea of the project as it currently stands. Therefore, the project can still be very raw and guidance can be obtained, for example, for choosing a cost model or for supporting the planning of the outputs of a lump sum-type project. However, it is a good idea to prepare for sparring by considering questions in advance and preparing a preliminary proposal to highlight the theme and content of the project. This allows you to get the most out of your limited time. The proposal does not need to be submitted in advance. Available times: Monday 5.10. at 12.00-12.30 Monday 5.10. at 12.45-13.15. Monday 5.10. at 13.30-14.00 Monday 5.10. at 14.15-14.45. Monday 5 October from 15:00 to 15:30. Friday 16.10. 12.45-13.15 Friday 16.10. 13.30-14.00 2. PROJECTS - Tuesday 20.10. and Monday 26.10. Project presentations aim at presenting more ready-made project ideas and getting feedback. The project presentation is suitable for projects that have already been prepared further and want feedback on the project idea as well as possible last-minute comments to support the finalisation of the project application. The appointments are booked from the Regional Development Manager (the appointments already booked will be updated on the page). This is a pre-existing model in the union. Instructions…

Oulu2026 has made art and culture a visible part of the everyday life of North Ostrobothnians. As the autumn progresses, the focus will also be on how to continue the activity and interest generated by the Year of Culture in the coming years. One way to continue working in the field of culture is the National Cultural Bank. It brings together art and culture professionals and their commissioned services in one place. – With the Oulu2026 year, the pulse of culture has increased in our region. The Cultural Bank of Finland is a good tool to maintain the heart rate in the future. The easy findability of cultural and artistic creators and ready-made services is an important part of this, says Samu Forsblom, Programme Director at the Oulu Cultural Foundation. From the Cultural Bank, an event organiser, a company, a municipality, a school, an association or a private person can find, for example, a performer for an event, a workshop for a school or a cultural programme for a staff day. The service offers music, performances, workshops, lectures, trainings and other art and culture content. Buying a cultural service must be easy The aim of the Cultural Bank is to lower the threshold for buying cultural and art services. The pre-described service will also help a subscriber who does not already have contacts with the creators of the field or an accurate understanding of what kind of cultural content could be acquired for his or her own event or activity. – The purchase of cultural services must be made as natural for companies, associations and municipalities as the purchase of other professional services, says Auli Suorsa, Culture Specialist at the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia. The Cultural Bank already has more than 900 creative professionals and more than 800 services from 14 counties. Nearly 60 operators are currently involved in North Ostrobothnia. The aim is to increase the region's offering so that more and more cultural and artistic professionals in the region can be easily found even after the year of the Capital of Culture. – The more comprehensively Northern Ostrobothnian factors are involved in the service, the easier it will be for the region's cultural know-how to turn into orders and work, Auli Suorsa points out. The use of the Cultural Bank is free of charge for both authors and subscribers. In Northern Ostrobothnia, the service is made possible by the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia and the cultural services of the City of Oulu. Read more about the Cultural Bank on its own website and register as an author or subscriber: Kulttuuripankki.fi More information: Auli Suorsa, Senior Specialist, Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, tel. +358 50 386 8443 auli.suorsa@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi Leena Pälli, Senior Specialist, City of Oulu, tel. +358 44 703 7210 leena.palli@ouka.f

Figure: In early September, Rural COOP partners and stakeholders gathered in Oulu and Ii for the project's first international study visit to learn about good practices in sustainable rural development, climate work and the circular economy. On 2-3 September 2026, the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia hosted the first international study visit of the Interreg Europe-funded Rural COOP project in Oulu and Ii. During the two days, project partners and regional stakeholders from across Europe learned about good practices in sustainable rural development, climate work, the circular economy and regional cooperation, and exchanged experiences on the future of regional development. The Rural COOP project develops the sustainable territorial development of rural and mountainous areas through foresight, inclusion and cooperation approaches. Study visits are a key part of the project's peer learning, the aim of which is to find new solutions for the development of regional policy measures. Partners from seven countries The study visit was attended by project partners and stakeholders from Finland, Sweden, Italy, Poland, Bulgaria, Albania and Switzerland. The participants included experts in regional development, representatives of municipalities, research organisations and actors working on the circular economy and sustainable development. In addition to the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, regional stakeholders, such as representatives of the municipality of Ii, the municipality of Muhos and the Kerttu Saalasti Institute of the University of Oulu, participated in the visit from Northern Ostrobothnia. - Our regions are different in size, structure and stage of development, but as rural areas we are united by many of the same challenges. Therefore, exchanging experiences with European partners is particularly valuable, says Project Manager Anna-Maija Toivonen. The first day of the study visit was held in Ii, Finland. The day started with acquainting students with the activities of Aseman koulu and the well-known 50/50 model, where students actively participate in energy saving and the development of sustainable everyday solutions. Participants were also able to get to know the nature of Ii on a short nature walk. The programme continued in Micropolis, where the participants heard about the long-term climate and sustainability work of the municipality of Ii. Mayor Marjukka Manninen presented how Ii, as a small municipality, managed to build an internationally known model of climate work together with residents, companies and communities. The proposals sparked a lot of debate on how the involvement of local communities can support the achievement of environmental objectives and strengthen the vitality of regions. During the day, the regional development work in Northern Ostrobothnia and the thematic funding call organised under the Rural COOP project (ERDF) were also presented. Tiina Rajala, Development Director of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, gave guests an overview of the region and its regional development system, while Katarina Timisjärvi, Regional Development Specialist, and Laura…, Regional Development Manager

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