news
The 8th round of applications for sustainable urban development opens on 1 September 2026
The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, in cooperation with the City of Oulu, is launching an ERDF project application for the implementation of the ecosystem agreement between the State and the City of Oulu. The content of the Oulu ecosystem agreement consists of the strategic focus areas and spearhead programmes of the Oulu Innovation Alliance for 2021-2027. The application round is open 1.9. – 9.10.2026. Priority axis 1 is open for this call. Innovative Finland and its specific objectives 1.1: Improving research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies, 1.2: Exploiting the benefits of digitalisation for citizens, businesses and public administrations and 1.3: Improving the growth and competitiveness of SMEs and Axis 2: Carbon-neutral Finland and its specific objectives 2.1: Promoting energy efficiency measures and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and 2.3: Promoting the transition to a circular economy. In the project application process, the maximum amount of ERDF funding for sustainable urban development is 800,000 euros. ERDF applications must be submitted to the authority via the EURA2021 system. More information about applying from this link.
Management team at the development meeting: cooperation and common direction at the heart
The Executive Committee of the Regional Council of North Ostrobothnia met today for a development meeting to review the work of the Executive Committee, cooperation and the operating culture of the organisation. The meeting assessed current practices and considered how the work of the management team can better support the achievement of the organisation's objectives and the success of the personnel in their work. The discussions focused on the role of the management team in the management of the organisation, the preparation of decision-making, the flow of information and cooperation between different responsibilities. In addition, the future development needs of competence and education were considered, as well as the capabilities that the changing operating environment requires from both management and the entire organisation. The day offered an opportunity to pause for a moment in the midst of everyday hustle and bustle for a joint conversation. The aim of the discussions was to form a common view on the development of the management team and to strengthen the prerequisites for the fulfilment of the basic task and strategic goals of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia also in the future. In the picture, the Executive Board of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia: Tiina Rajala, Development Director; Markus Erkkilä, Planning Director; Toni Saranpää, Administrative Director; and Jussi Rämet, Regional Director. The picture was captured and the news was written by Ritva Isomäki, a staff representative in the management team.
Application period for ERDF funding open until 30 September 2026
The ERDF call for applications for the 2021-2027 programming period of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia is open until 30 September 2026! In this call for applications, ERDF applications will be accepted in accordance with the following specific objectives: 1.1. Improving research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies 2.3. Promoting the transition to a circular economy 3.1. Developing regional and local accessibility A total of EUR 2 820 000 is planned to be used to finance incoming projects. The maximum contribution requested (ERDF+Member State) is 70 % development project and up to 70 % the total cost of the investment project. Before preparing your application, you should read more about the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 programme document and the contents of the above-mentioned specific objectives. Projects financed under Specific Objective 1.1 must also be in line with the Northern Ostrobothnia Smart Specialisation Strategy 2021-2025. The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia's ERDF project selection emphasises the promotion of development targets in accordance with the provincial programme for Northern Ostrobothnia 2026-2029 and the provincial implementation plan for security of supply and comprehensive security. In addition, the assessment of applications under priority axis two focuses on their suitability as a project under the Northern Ostrobothnia Climate Roadmap 2021-2030. You can access the call for applications here: EURA 2021: The 12th call for applications of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia ERDF 4.5.-30.9.2026 The material of the call for applications organised in May can be found here: More information on the current call for applications is available from the contact persons of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia: Jarkko Kärkimaa, Regional Development Specialist, tel. +358 50 520 6670 Aki Lappalainen, Regional Development Specialist, tel. +358 40 502 1851 Heikki Laukkanen, Regional Development Specialist, tel. +358 50 918 0035 Katarina Timisjärvi, Regional Development Specialist, tel. +358 40 685 4025 Laura Kelhä, Regional Development Manager, tel. +358 40 685 4016 (especially project presentations)
The smart specialisation approach must be maintained and strengthened in the EU programming period 2028-2034
The Provinces of Eastern and Northern Finland consider that the Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) should be maintained and strengthened as a key development and investment model for the European Union's 2028-2034 programming period. According to the counties, S3 is a place-based development method that strengthens Europe's competitiveness and combines EU, national and regional objectives with the regions' own strengths. The model supports the transition from individual projects towards strategic development portfolios, innovation ecosystems and long-term investments. Based on the experiences of Eastern and Northern Finland, S3 has strengthened the regions' ability to identify new growth opportunities, build innovation ecosystems and renew the economic structure. The regions have significant strengths in areas such as clean energy, bioeconomy, critical raw materials, digitalisation and industrial transformation. The regions emphasise that Europe's competitiveness, security, resilience and sustainable growth are built on the different strengths of the regions. Therefore, smart specialisation is not only an instrument of regional policy, but a key implementation framework for transforming EU objectives into effective investment, new value chains, innovation, skills and sustainable growth. You can find the statement here: Opinion on the Smart Specialisation Approach (S3) Additional information: Kari Aalto, Director, Eastern and Northern Finland EU Office, tel. +358 40 773 888, kari.aalto@eastnorth.fi Saija Tikkanen, Specialist in International Affairs, Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, saija.tikkanen@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi
15 new Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic projects – Finland strongly involved in all
At a meeting in the Faroe Islands in early June 2026, the Monitoring Committee of the Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) programme approved 15 new development projects. The application round showed a record level of interest, with a total of 33 project proposals to be evaluated. Finland is strongly involved in all projects Finnish actors have an exceptionally strong role in funded projects. All 15 projects involve at least one Finnish operator, with a total of 19 Finnish organisations receiving funding. For Finland, all eight regions of the programme area are represented in these completed projects. The Finnish organisation is the lead implementer of 10 projects. Centria University of Applied Sciences is leading two projects in Central Ostrobothnia, focusing on the management of consumption peaks in electricity networks in sparsely populated areas and the reuse of blades in wind turbines. The University of Oulu is involved in up to four projects, one of which is the main implementer. The projects funded represent all three priorities of the programme and address concrete challenges in sparsely populated areas. Here are a few examples of funded projects. CONNECT (Innovation): accelerate the uptake of digital health services in remote areas. The main implementer is the University of Oulu, and the well-being region of Northern Ostrobothnia is also involved in Finland. Other partners come from Ireland and Sweden. BIOGUARD (Climate and Natural Resources): develop practical tools for safeguarding biodiversity and climate resilience of forests. The Natural Resources Institute Finland is the main implementer of the project and Oulu University of Applied Sciences is also involved. Other partners come from Iceland, Norway and Ireland. DC NEST (Cooperation): strengthen the ability of municipalities to attract and utilise sustainable data centre projects. The project is led by Kajaani University of Applied Sciences and other partners come from Ireland, Iceland and Sweden. The projects will develop solutions for, among other things, digital health, adaptation to climate change, strengthening biodiversity and the vitality and skills of the regions. Benefits for people and organisations in the northern regions The new projects promote practical cooperation across land borders and bring concrete solutions to the everyday life of the northern regions. Results are expected, for example, to improve the accessibility of services, develop sustainable livelihoods and strengthen the competence of municipalities and organisations. The full list of funded projects is available on the programme's website. Further information: Contact person for the Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) programme area in Finland Maiju Jolma-Taylor, maiju.jolma-taylor@lapinliitto.fi, tel. +358 40 660 8546 Tiina Rajala, Development Director, tiina.rajala@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi, tel. +358 40 685 4033
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 [...]
Northern Ostrobothnia Tourism Forum 2026
The most important seminar for tourism in Northern Ostrobothnia will be held again in October - mark the day in your calendar and sign up! The event brings together tourism companies, developers and decision-makers to hear and [...]
Press releases
Bulletin board
Responses to requests for additional information: Acquisition of a SharePoint-based intranet
Requests for additional information related to the acquisition of a SharePoint-based intranet had to be submitted by 12 noon on 7 August 2026. Requests for additional information received according to the schedule have now been answered. The answers to all the questions can be found in one file, which can be found according to the invitation to tender on the website of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia. The answers can be found here. The questions and answers form part of the invitation to tender and bind the tenderers in the same way as the other terms of the invitation to tender. A written offer with attachments must be submitted by e-mail to the registry of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, kirjaamo@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi,…
Call for tenders: Acquisition of a SharePoint-based intranet for the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia
The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia invites bids for the acquisition of a SharePoint-based intranet. The offer must be valid until 28 February 2027. A written offer with attachments must be submitted by e-mail to the registry of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, kirjaamo@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi, by 31.8.2026 at 12.00 noon. Tender Document
