Organisations play an important role in the development of the region and in promoting the well-being of local residents. The Regional Assembly of Organisations of Northern Ostrobothnia represents organisations operating in the region in regional development work carried out by the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region 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 region.
- Make organizational activities visible and known in the region.
- Promote the participation of citizens and organisations.
- Collaborate in cooperation in cooperation with the Participation and Participation and Participation and Participation and inclusion work of the Wellbeing Services County of Northern Ostrobothnia.
- Promotes cooperation between organisations and cooperation between organisations and the public sector and industry.
Activities of the Advisory Board for Organisations
Propose an organisation act for 2026 by 30 September 2026
Inspired by the year of the Capital of Culture, the theme of the year 2026 has been the Non-threshold cultural act. Suggestions on the floor take into account the following criteria. An organizational act does not have to be an isolated act; it can be understood and interpreted more broadly. The selection focuses on the crossing of borders and effectiveness, as well as the role of volunteering in the association's activities. The applicant must be a registered local association. Proposals must be submitted by 30.9.2026 at 3 p.m. the Electronic Webropol Form.
The association that won the organizational act of the year will receive 1,000 euros to support its activities. The decision on the winner is made by the Regional Government of Northern Ostrobothnia. The prize will be awarded for the eighth time at the Regional Parliament of Northern Ostrobothnia on 3 November 2026.
The message of the organizational work can be freely shared with your own organization and stakeholders!
Additional information: Ilpo Tapaninen, Strategy Manager, Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, tel. +358 50 301 7546.
- 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 in cooperation in cooperation with the employment area. Secretary General Raija Näppä, Youth Friends Regional Assembly, was elected Chairman of the Advisory Board. Jussi Ylitalo, Regional Director, Regional Sports Regional Assembly of Northern Ostrobothnia, was elected as Vice Chairman. Read more about the meeting on the news page of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region.
- The the Board of the Regional Assembly appointed the members of the regional advisory board for organisations for the term 2026-2029.
Read about it on the news page of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region. - 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 Northern Ostrobothnia website.
- "The accelerating change in society's structural and operational environment challenges organisations to be even stronger societal stakeholders", says Esa Aunola, Chair of the Organisational Advisory Board, in the newsletter of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region. Read the full article in your browser in the newsletter of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region (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 Assembly of Oulu Region.
Organisational cooperation guidelines for municipalities
The Advisory Board of Organisations has drawn up guidelines for municipalities on how to develop cooperation in cooperation in 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 in cooperation in cooperation 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 in cooperation 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.
Northern Ostrobothnia Organisational Award
The Regional Assembly of Oulu Region 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 Regional Assembly'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 Regional Assembly. As an award for the organizational work of the year, the Regional Assembly receives 1,000 euros to support its operations. Presentations of the wEnablers of the prize are requested every year during September. The call for applications is published on the Northern 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 Board of Northern Ostrobothnia and the award is given at the Regional Parliament of Northern Ostrobothnia.
The 2025 Northern Ostrobothnia Regional Assembly Award to the Oulun Tervaporvarit Youth Chamber of Commerce
The Regional Assembly 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 Assembly of Oulu Region. Read also about the wEnablers' feelings in their own blog post: VIBEs project awarded as organisation of the year - JCI Oulun Tervaporvarit.
Award wEnablers
- 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 Regional Assembly / Community activities and volunteer spirit to strengthen the everyday cohesiveness of the village and the villagers.
- 2021: Rautio Village Regional Assembly, 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 in cooperation in cooperation with Jussi Jokinen.
Organisational cooperation elsewhere
Organisational Cooperation Group of the Northern 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 in cooperation in cooperation 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 Northern Ostrobothnia Regional Assemblys 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 Assembly of Oulu Region. The group is maintained by Vares-verkko/Vuolle Setlementti ry and the Partnership Centre's helpdesk /Northern Ostrobothnia Social and Health Security Regional Assembly. You can find the Facebook group through this link (www.facebook.com).
Composition of the Northern Ostrobothnia Organisational Advisory Board
The the Board of the Regional Assembly 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 Regional Assembly |
| Vice-President |
| Jussi Ylitalo, Regional Director, Regional Sports Regional Assembly of Northern Ostrobothnia |
| Secretaryt |
| Ilpo Tapaninen and Auli Suorsa, Regional Assembly of Oulu Region |
| Representatives of organisations |
| Esa Aunola, Executive Director, Northern Ostrobothnia Villages Regional Assembly Executive Director Virpi Kilpijärvi, Koillismaan Leader ry Executive Director Jari Miettunen, Regional Assembly of Youth Societies of Northern Ostrobothnia Executive Director Anna Katajala, Northern Ostrobothnia Social and Health Security Regional Assembly Mirja Kaartinen, Executive Director, Oulu 4H Regional Assembly Member of the Board Risto Örling, Oulun Piiri Regional Assembly 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, Development Manager, Regional Assembly of Oulu Region Auli Suorsa, Senior Specialist, Regional Assembly of Oulu Region Specialist Kukka Kukkonen, Centre for Vitality in Northern Finland Coordinator of organisation work Helena Liimatainen, Wellbeing Services County of Northern Ostrobothnia Pohde |
Additional information:
Secretary of the Advisory Board, Development Manager Ilpo Tapaninen, Regional Assembly of Oulu Region,
phone +358 (0)50 301 7546 or email ilpo.tapaninen@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi
