The European Commission has approved the actions of the Just Transition Fund (JTF) as part of the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 EU Regional and Structural Policy Programme. At the same time, the Just Transition Plan for Northern Ostrobothnia was adopted, which defines the actions to be financed in the region. The funding for Northern Ostrobothnia amounts to up to EUR 119 million, which is 20% of Finland's total JTF funding for the 2021-2027 programming period. Funding is provided by the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia and the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment of Northern Ostrobothnia. The call for applications will open in the EURA2021 information system in February-March 2023. The JTF compensates for the negative socio-economic and environmental impacts of reducing the energy use of peat. The territorially just transition of phasing out peat will be supported by developing the region's livelihoods and SMEs, providing coaching for the industry's workforce and restoring safe production areas, among other things. In Northern Ostrobothnia, JTF funding is allocated to four main areas: Development of RDI activities, development of SME activities, competence development and restoration and reuse of peat production areas. Päivi Keisanen, Development Manager responsible for the preparation of the Northern Ostrobothnia plan, emphasises that the key is to develop the region's livelihoods in such a way that new jobs, companies and business opportunities are created in the region to replace jobs that are disappearing or undergoing a transformation. The measures are mainly targeted at non-peat industries. Northern Ostrobothnia has a record amount of development funding available during 2023 and 2024 due to the frontloading of the funding, so I encourage the regional actors to actively develop their business opportunities during the coming year, Keisanen emphasises. Just Transition Plan for Northern Ostrobothnia Information about JTF funding for Northern Ostrobothnia Additional information: Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia Just Transition Plan: Päivi Keisanen, Development Manager, tel. +358 50 431 0605 JTF funding and projects: Heikki Ojala, Regional Development Manager, tel. +358 50 433 3951    

Pellervo Economic Research PTT updated the regional economic impacts of the peat industry based on the latest 2020 statistical data. The study serves as a material for the counties' just transition plans guiding the use of JTF funding. The counties' transition plans are currently being reviewed by the European Commission. The European Commission's feedback on the plans is expected in spring 2022. The study determined the direct and indirect regional economic impacts of the peat industry by region and sub-regional unit with 2020 data, measured by gross and added value of production and employment. In 2020, the gross value of production in the peat industry was EUR 391 million and employment was 1200 person-years. In the entire production chain, the industry employed 2,200 person-years. The peat industry is particularly concentrated in three provinces: North Ostrobothnia, South Ostrobothnia and Central Finland. The gross value of production in the peat industry in North Ostrobothnia was EUR 71.3 million and employment was 256 person-years. Throughout the production chain, the industry employed 461 man-years. The study is a continuation of PTT's research on the regional economic impacts of the peat sector, published in 2021. In addition to the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, the following regional federations act as commissioners of the study: Regional Council of Lapland, Regional Council of Kainuu, Regional Council of North Savo, Regional Council of Central Finland, Regional Council of South Ostrobothnia, Regional Council of Ostrobothnia, Regional Council of Pirkanmaa, Regional Council of North Karelia, Regional Council of Satakunta and Regional Council of Kymenlaakso. PTT slide series: Regional economy of peat industry in 2020 Additional information: Päivi Keisanen, Development Manager, tel. +358 50 431 0605

The proposal for a national programme for the EU's regional and structural policy, Finland's Renewable and Skilled 2021-2027, and the related environmental report have been sent for an open consultation. Opinions on the programme proposal can be given until 16 April 2021. The programme proposal includes actions supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF). The programme will also include measures under the Just Transition Fund (JTF), which will be subject to an initial consultation in parallel. Statements can also be submitted until 16 April 2021. Funding for the programme consists of EU funding and national funding. In the programme proposal, the ERDF actions would contribute to the development of business- and working-life-driven research and innovation capacities of regions and businesses, digitalisation, sustainable growth and competitiveness of SMEs, energy efficiency, climate adaptation, circular economy and increased local accessibility. The programme's ESF actions would support employment, skills, the development of working life, inclusion and equality. The programme has a total of six priority axes: Innovative Finland Carbon-neutral Finland More accessible Finland Employable, knowledgeable and inclusive Finland Finland Combating material deprivation Finland The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia encourages municipalities, research and education organisations, organisations and communities in the region to provide feedback on the draft programme. The region of Northern Ostrobothnia makes significant use of EU regional and structural policy funds. The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia has been leading the regional programme preparation for Eastern and Northern Finland since late 2018. Regional preparations have been made in a broad partnership with the Regional Councils of Eastern and Northern Finland, the Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment and stakeholders. Proposal for a programme 2021-2027 11.3.2021 Opinions on the proposal for a programme can be submitted until 16 April 2021 at Neuvopalvelu.fi Opinions on the preparation of the Just Transition Fund can be submitted until 16 April 2021 at Neuvopalvelu.fi Further information: Secretary General for Regional Preparation for Eastern and Northern Finland, Päivi Keisanen, tel. +358 50 431 0606, firstname.lastname@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi