The Action Plan 2021-2022 of the Regional Programme for Northern Ostrobothnia has been completed and approved. The plan brings together ways to restore the vitality of Northern Ostrobothnia as soon as possible after the COVID-19 crisis. The key points of the Northern Ostrobothnia Action Plan are the promotion of entrepreneurship, exports and internationalisation, the utilisation of digitalisation, the green recovery of the economy, the functioning of the labour market, the improvement of employment and education, and the well-being and inclusion of young people. The programme brings together the views and will of the region on regional measures to reduce the negative effects of the COVID-19 crisis, to restore the region's economic growth and employment, and to increase resilience. The plan includes both rapid measures and the acceleration of new growth. Download and read the Action Plan 2021-2022 of the Regional Programme for Northern Ostrobothnia here: Northern Ostrobothnia Action Plan 2021-2022

In Northern Ostrobothnia, a plan of measures is being prepared for the post-crisis management of the economic effects of the coronavirus crisis. The plan focuses on the compilation of regional measures. The measures must be able to be launched in late 2020 or during 2021. The longer-term strategic choices and measures will be specified in the preparation of the provincial programme work 2022-2025. The plan is being drawn up under the leadership of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia in cooperation with the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment, municipalities and regional stakeholders. The plan includes both rapid recovery measures and choices to kick-start new growth. The plan is a prerequisite for the use of the funds of the state stimulus package. Promoting exports, utilising digitalisation, green economic recovery, improving employment and education, and well-being and inclusion have been identified as the most significant means of Northern Ostrobothnia's recovery. The plan highlights the business recovery of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). In terms of digitalisation, the emphasis is on increasing the digital capability of SMEs and the digitalisation of business and customer service. Promoting renewable energy, the bio- and circular economy and climate-smart construction, as well as the sustainable use of natural resources, are key elements of the green recovery. The key measures in employment management are the employment experiments carried out by municipalities. For key sectors, it is important to find rapid measures in areas such as tourism, services, creative industries, events and rural businesses. In October 2020, the Government will grant funding for the recovery package to the Regional Council of North Ostrobothnia and the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment to finance the coronavirus action plan. National regional development funds, business subsidies and EU regional and structural policy funds are allocated to regional measures. The stimulus package amounts to approximately EUR 130 million.  Further information:   Regional Director Pauli Harju, tel. +358 400 389152, pauli.harju@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi Development Manager Päivi Keisanen, tel. +358 50 431 0605, paivi.keisanen@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi