04.03.2021
Decisions of the Provincial Cooperation Group
The North Ostrobothnia Regional Cooperation Group held an electronic meeting on Thursday, 4 March 2021.
Preparation of the implementation plan for the provincial programme 2021-2022 and REACT-EU funding
The provincial cooperation group approved the allocation of REACT-EU granting powers and technical support, as well as the implementation plan for the provincial programme for 2021-2022.
The implementation plan for the provincial programme and the related financial plan for the structural funds programme for sustainable growth and work 2014-2020 for 2021-2022 are drawn up every two years. In practice, the Northern Ostrobothnia COVID-19 action plan 2020-2021, drawn up in autumn 2020, is the action plan of the regional programme, which includes a COVID-19 recovery plan. The timeliness of the document has now been revised to meet the needs of 2021-2022.
The financing plan will be prepared for REACT-EU funding. The funding will run from 2021 to 2022. The REACT-TU funding for Northern Ostrobothnia amounts to EUR 29.4 million (ERDF EUR 20.575 million). €, ESF 8.818 million (€) The funding will support regions in repairing the damage caused by the COVID-19 crisis. The funds will lay the groundwork for a green, digital and resilient recovery of the economy. In accordance with the preparations of the Regional Council of North Ostrobothnia and the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment, the granting powers of North Ostrobothnia are divided between the specific objectives and between the financial instruments of North Ostrobothnia and the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment. The share of Northern Ostrobothnia in the technical assistance reserved for the management of REACT-EU funding is EUR 718 254.
The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia and the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment will open a joint REACT-EU call for applications from 5 March to 19 April 2021.
Northern Ostrobothnia Smart Specialisation Strategy 2021-2024
The aim of the Northern Ostrobothnia Smart Specialisation Strategy is to transform research and expertise into innovations by responding to the needs of business and industry and to make more efficient use of digitalisation. Renewing and prosperous North Ostrobothnia, Climate-wise North Ostrobothnia and networked, attractive and international North Ostrobothnia were defined as the focus areas of the strategy. The success and effectiveness of the implementation of smart specialisation will be measured by monitoring the development of RDI activities and livelihoods as well as the effectiveness of project activities. Monitoring is linked to the annual operational planning of the regional programme, which is the responsibility of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia and the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment.
Prikka Kieron -project is in favour of funding
The regional cooperation group is in favour of a project for the development of employment, inclusion and the circular economy (ESF) to be funded under the Finnish Structural Funds Programme for Sustainable Growth and Jobs 2014-2020. The final decision on the financing of the project is made by the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment of Northern Ostrobothnia. The applicants are the Helsinki Deaconess Institute Foundation, the City of Oulu, ODL, Oulu Evangelical Lutheran Parish Consortium and DIAK Oy. The total cost of the project is EUR 917 209 and the grant requested is EUR 733 759.
Following the discussion, the following items were noted:
- State of play of the EU’s regional and structural policy for the 2021-2027 programming period.
- Results of the project application process of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia.
- Enterprise development grant funding granted by the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment of Northern Ostrobothnia, ERDF, 1.1-31.12.2020.
- Business aid applications received by the ELY Centre for Northern Ostrobothnia from 14 December 2020 to 10 February 2021.
Next meetings of the Provincial Cooperation Group held on 5 May 2021 and 9 June 2021
