Organisations play an important role in the development of the region and in promoting the well-being of local residents. The Council of Organisations of Northern Ostrobothnia represents organisations operating in the region in regional development work carried out by the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia and acts as a communicator towards citizens. The committee was elected for the first time in 2014. The term of office shall be for the duration of the term of office.
Tasks of the Advisory Board
- Actively participate in the development of the province.
- Make organizational activities visible and known in the province.
- Promote the participation of citizens and organisations.
- Collaborate with the inclusion work of the North Ostrobothnia Welfare Area.
- Promotes cooperation between organisations and cooperation between organisations and the public sector and industry.
Activities of the Advisory Board for Organisations
The Cultural Theme is applied for the organisation act of 2026
The Organisational Advisory Board of Northern Ostrobothnia has made the theme of the 2026 Organisational Act Award a non-threshold cultural act. The theme aims to highlight associations that make culture accessible, inclusive and accessible. Proposals can be submitted from 1 to 30 September 2026. The application period is not yet open, but it is already a good time to consider which association or operating model deserves recognition. More detailed instructions and an electronic form for nominating candidates will be published in the news on the North Ostrobothnia website and on the organisation's own website at the beginning of September. The winning association will receive 1,000 euros to support its activities. The organisation act of the year will be announced at the Regional Parliament of Northern Ostrobothnia on 3 November 2026.
Additional information: Strategy Manager Ilpo Tapaninen (tel. +358 50 301 7546 or e-mail ilpo.tapaninen@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi).
- At the first meeting of its term of office, the Advisory Board for Organisations outlined the priorities of its work as safeguarding the operating conditions of organisations by means of advocacy and promotion, sharpening cooperation between organisations and municipalities and strengthening the vitality perspective by building cooperation with the employment area. Secretary General Raija Näppä, Youth Friends Association, was elected Chairman of the Advisory Board. Jussi Ylitalo, Regional Director, Regional Sports Association of Northern Ostrobothnia, was elected as Vice Chairman. Read more about the meeting on the news page of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia.
- The provincial government appointed the members of the provincial advisory board for organisations for the term 2026-2029.
Read about it on the news page of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia. - Oulu Tervaporvarien Youth Chamber of Commerce (Oulu Tervaporvarien Youth Chamber of Commerce) receives the award for the organisation of Northern Ostrobothnia in 2025.
- The NGO Advisory Board visited Pyhäjärvi on a study trip, where the cooperation between the NGO-municipalities is exemplary!
Read more about these blog posts: Blog / Auli Suorsa, Blog / Helena Liimatainen. - Guidelines on organisational cooperation for municipalities have been published. Read the press release on the North Ostrobothnia website.
- "The accelerating change in society's structural and operational environment challenges organisations to be even stronger societal actors", says Esa Aunola, Chair of the Organisational Advisory Board, in the newsletter of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia. Read the full article in your browser in the newsletter of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia (pohjois-pohjanmaan-liitto.creamailer.fi).
- 2024 is the tenth year of operation of the Advisory Board for Organisations. During the year, the members of the Advisory Board present their activities in a variety of contexts.
Read the latest news on the website of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia.
Organisational cooperation guidelines for municipalities
The Advisory Board of Organisations has drawn up guidelines for municipalities on how to develop cooperation with organisations. Its five main points are as follows:
- Associate person: A person responsible for organisational cooperation is appointed in the municipality, and his/her role and resources are clearly defined.
- Use of facilities: The municipality provides organisations with free and accessible facilities for activities of general interest on the basis of fair and transparent principles.
- Grants: Organisational grants are seen as an investment in the well-being and vitality of the municipality. The application processes are made clear and in cooperation with the organisations.
- Well-being work: Organisations are involved in the preparation of welfare plans and the development of services by providing expertise and experience.
- Cooperation document: The practices of cooperation between organisations and municipalities are compiled in a single document, which serves as a common handbook.
North Ostrobothnia Organisational Award
The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia annually awards an organisation award for a changing theme. In the selection of the organisation, the emphasis is on the crossing of borders and effectiveness, as well as the role of volunteering in the association's activities. An act does not have to be a single act, but can be understood and interpreted as a broader action. The applicant must be a registered local association. As an award for the organizational work of the year, the association receives 1,000 euros to support its operations. Presentations of the winners of the prize are requested every year during September. The call for applications is published on the North Ostrobothnia website in the current section and on these pages of the Advisory Board for Organisations. The decision on the award is made by the Regional Government of Northern Ostrobothnia and the award is given at the Regional Parliament of Northern Ostrobothnia.
The 2025 North Ostrobothnia Association Award to the Oulun Tervaporvarit Youth Chamber of Commerce
The Association Award 2025 was awarded to the Oulun Tervaporvarien Nuorkauppakamari for the development and implementation of the VIBEs project and concept that promotes mental health work among young people. The explanatory memorandum mentioned, among other things, that the VIBEs project has demonstrated a uniquely effective and broad approach to the development of the operating model. The project is a concrete example of what the dedication of volunteers can do when there is a strong desire to support young people and give them more hope for the future. The activities are boundary-breaking and the theme of the year, Youth, Future and Hope, is implemented in an exemplary way. The prize was awarded for the seventh time. Read the full news in the current section of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia. Read also about the winners' feelings in their own blog post: VIBEs project awarded as organisation of the year - JCI Oulun Tervaporvarit.
Award winners
- 2024: House of Good Mind / Prospect training programme to support mental health rehabilitees and their loved ones.
- 2023: Oulun Rantasaunaseura ry / Summer Sauna volunteer and cultural activities that strengthen Finnish and local sauna culture.
- 2022: Luohua Rural Association / Community activities and volunteer spirit to strengthen the everyday cohesiveness of the village and the villagers.
- 2021: Rautio Village Association, Rautio Trade Cooperative / Community action to maintain the vitality of the village.
- 2020: Raahe Cycling Club ry / Acquisition of electric rickshaw bikes for use in service homes in Raahe.
- 2019: JHT Kalajoki ry / Annual charity event for junior activities together with Jussi Jokinen.
Organisational cooperation elsewhere
Organisational Cooperation Group of the North Ostrobothnia Welfare Region
The well-being area of Northern Ostrobothnia, or Pohte, has its own representative cooperation group (JYRY) that brings together organisations and parishes. Pohde conducts annual negotiations with the cooperation group on the promotion of well-being and health. More information on the activities and the members of the group can be found on Pohde's website (Pohde.fi).
Join the North Ostrobothnia Associations Facebook Group
The group is intended for employees and volunteers of organisations operating in Northern Ostrobothnia. The group shares topical issues, event information, etc. It is also used to inform the activities of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia. The group is maintained by Vares-verkko/Vuolle Setlementti ry and the Partnership Centre's helpdesk /North Ostrobothnia Social and Health Security Association. You can find the Facebook group through this link (www.facebook.com).
Composition of the North Ostrobothnia Organisational Advisory Board
The Provincial Government has appointed the following members to the Advisory Board for Organisational Affairs for the term 2026-2029. (The chairman and vice-chairman of the Conciliation Committee will be elected at the constitutive meeting in May)
| President |
| Secretary General Raija Näppä, Youth Friends Association |
| Vice-President |
| Jussi Ylitalo, Regional Director, Regional Sports Association of Northern Ostrobothnia |
| Secretaryt |
| Ilpo Tapaninen and Auli Suorsa, Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia |
| Representatives of organisations |
| Esa Aunola, Executive Director, North Ostrobothnia Villages Association Executive Director Virpi Kilpijärvi, Koillismaan Leader ry Executive Director Jari Miettunen, Association of Youth Societies of Northern Ostrobothnia Executive Director Anna Katajala, North Ostrobothnia Social and Health Security Association Mirja Kaartinen, Executive Director, Oulu 4H Association Member of the Board Risto Örling, Oulun Piiri Association of the Central Union of Pensioners Executive Director Pertti Kukkonen, Auta Lasta ry Service Manager Piritta Pietilä-Litendahl, Oulu Deaconess Institute Foundation sr Eija Tuomaala, Member Director, Lions District 107-I ry Miia Seppänen, Executive Director, Finnish Red Cross Oulu District |
| Municipal representativet |
| Pasi Laukka, Head of Community Activities, City of Oulu Community Ombudsman Eeva Vaskilampi, City of Pyhäjärvi |
| Expert members |
| Ilpo Tapaninen, Strategy Manager, Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia Auli Suorsa, Senior Specialist, Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia Specialist Kukka Kukkonen, Centre for Vitality in Northern Finland Coordinator of organisation work Helena Liimatainen, North Ostrobothnia Welfare Area Pohde |
Additional information:
Secretary of the Advisory Board, Head of Strategy Ilpo Tapaninen, Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia,
phone +358 (0)50 301 7546 or email ilpo.tapaninen@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi
