30.09.2020
Decisions of the Provincial Cooperation Group
The Northern Ostrobothnia Regional Cooperation Group held a hybrid meeting in Oulu on 30 September 2020.
Preparation of the EU's regional and structural policy and rural development programme for the 2021-2027 programming period
Päivi Keisanen, Development Manager at the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, told about the preparation of the EU's regional and structural policy for the 2021-2027 programming period. The Government's decision on the national allocation of EU funds is expected during September-October.
Timo Lehtiniemi, Head of the Rural and Energy Unit at the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment for Northern Ostrobothnia, told about the current situation of the rural development programme. As part of the EU Recovery Plan, rural development funding will be increased by EUR 7.5 billion to support farmers and rural areas in making the structural changes needed to implement the European Green Deal.
A COVID-19 crisis response plan for Northern Ostrobothnia
The regional cooperation group approved the COVID-19 action plan for Northern Ostrobothnia, which focuses on compiling 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 was 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. 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), 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.
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.
For more information on the COVID-19 action plan, please contact Development Manager Päivi Keisanen, tel. +358 50 431 0605.
Results of the project application process of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia
On 4 September 2020, the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia closed its 14th call for projects in the 2014-2020 programming period. Thirty applications were received by the deadline. A total of approximately EUR 7.8 million was applied for.
Support for the Momentum project
The provincial cooperation group MYR advocates that the European Social Fund (ESF) project be funded from the Finnish Structural Funds Programme for Sustainable Growth and Jobs 2014-2020. The aid requested amounts to EUR 495 000. The final decision on the financing of the projects is made by the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment of Northern Ostrobothnia.
Next meetings of the Provincial Cooperation Group
25 November 2020 and 18 December 2020
