22.08.2023
Meeting newsletter of the secretariat of the regional Cooperation Group
A Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 Preparing the Territorial Financing Plan of the EU Regional and Structural Policy Programme 2024-2025
Regional councils are responsible for preparing regional funding plans for the European Union's Regional and Structural Policy Programme. The unions make the preparations in cooperation with the ELY Centres and other regional partners. Financing plans will be drawn up by priority axis, specific objective and authority for the next two years.
The financial programming concerns the regional component of the EU's regional and structural policy programme. In connection with the preparation of the financing tables, the situation regarding the commitment and reservation of the granting powers for JTF and ERDF funding in 2021-2023 in the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia and the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment will be examined with regard to the need for possible transfers of granting powers.
North Ostrobothnia concessions under preparation 2024-2025:
2024: ERDF + State EUR 22.453 million, ESF + State EUR 11.605 million and JTF + State EUR 7.489 million.
2025: ERDF + State EUR 22.453 million, ESF + State EUR 11.605 million and JTF + State EUR 7.489 million.
The granting powers for 2026 are ERDF + State EUR 22.453 million and JTF + State EUR 7.489 million.
Preparation of the implementation plan has started
The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia has initiated the drafting of an implementation plan that examines security of supply and overall safety from the perspective of regional development.
The priorities of the Regional Programme for Northern Ostrobothnia have numerous interfaces for overall safety and security of supply. Digital services and products, health technology, energy production and storage, smart food production and the bioeconomy, as well as water expertise, among others, are essential contents for overall safety. The region also has expertise and business activities related to cyber security.
The change in the security and defence situation and Finland's NATO membership open up new RDI opportunities and needs. When considering logistics and accessibility from the perspective of security of supply, the domestic market, foreign trade and international connections as well as ports, airports, logistics centres and terminals must be taken into account. An important land connection to the west for the security of supply of Finland as a whole is via the north.
From the perspective of the population, security of supply and the overall security perspective are related to the population's ability to function and services, livelihood and employment, learning new things and adapting to the situation, crisis management capacity and internal security. The effects of the reconstruction of Ukraine also need to be anticipated.
Open calls for applications
- The Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment of Northern Ostrobothnia will open an application for a fixed-term business development grant from 21 August to 29 September 2023.
- The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia opens the JTF project application process for Northern Finland (Lappi, Kainuu, Northern Ostrobothnia). Applications are open from 25 August to 31 October 2023.
- The open calls for applications for the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 programme can be found on the website: EURA 2021: Call for applications
European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)
Timo Lehtiniemi reviewed the status of the EU's EAFRD applications. Ten applications for business support were submitted during the application period that ended on 15 August, and the total amount of support applied for is approximately EUR 2 million. There are no applications for development projects yet. Decisions on agricultural investments are ongoing and will be taken by the end of September.
Seven projects to be funded under the EU's Regional and Structural Policy Programme 2021-2027
Smart and regenerative tourism in the Oulu region / ERDF group project
Applicants: City of Oulu, Oulun Matkailu Oy, Humanpolis Oy, Iin Micropolis Oy, City of Raahe
Total cost estimate 1 103 219 €
ERDF and State funding requested 882 575 €
The aim is to make the Oulu region one of the leading international destinations in Europe in terms of sustainable tourism. Visit Finland's Sustainable Travel Finland programme path will be built in the area. The aim is to get all tourism companies offering services to international tourists from the region to document their operations from a sustainability point of view or to obtain a certificate for sustainable tourism, the development of the Oulu Region Smart Tourism Datahub platform, capacity anticipation and responding to the new emerging international tourism demand, pioneering as a sustainable and smart tourism area, and in 2026 being a European Smart Tourism Destinations region.
Successful - I am a successful entrepreneur! / ESF+
Applicant: North Ostrobothnia Entrepreneurs Association
Total cost 260 066 €
Aid requested 208 050 €
The aim is to develop an annual wellbeing watch for entrepreneurs in Northern Ostrobothnia to support entrepreneurs' well-being at work and comprehensive well-being by providing various services, networking and competence development, as well as concrete well-being tools for the development of the entrepreneur's operations and operating environment.
Jobs in cooperation in Vaala / ESF+
Applicant: Municipality of Vaala
Total cost 284 165 €
Aid requested 227 329 €
The project strengthens the possibilities for employers to recruit vacant jobseekers and for jobseekers to find jobs close to their place of residence. During the project, information will be gathered and preparations will be made for the upcoming TE24 service change process from the perspective of the municipality of Vaala.
NIHAK REKRY+ Regional Partnership for Enterprise Recruitment Challenges and Employment Management / ESF+
Applicant: Nivala-Haapajärvi region NIHAK ry
Total cost 387 134 €
Aid requested 309 708 €
Companies will be helped to develop their recruitment skills and make recruitment more efficient. The project helps companies find workforce and develops a positive employer image and retaining power of employees.
Collaboration with results! / ESF+
Applicant: City of Oulainen
Seafood costs 499 612 €
Aid requested 399 690 €
The aim of the project is to create an efficient operating model between employment and business services, entrepreneurs and educational institutions, and to increase vitality and entrepreneurship in Oulainen. The project develops and intensifies business cooperation and develops new recruitment tools and solutions for sectors suffering from labour shortages. An operating model will be created with the educational institutions operating in Oulainen, which can be used to respond to the need for competence quickly.
Round-up 2023-2025 / ESF+
Applicants: Helsinki Deaconess Institute Foundation sr, City of Oulu, Oulun Ev.-Lut. Parish Consortium, Diaconia University of Applied Sciences Ltd, Oulu Deaconess Institute Foundation sr
Total cost 1 246 005 €
Aid requested 934 508 €
The project promotes equal participation and a sense of community, implements the operations of the logistics centre for food waste that is centralised in the Prikka tour in accordance with the developed model, offers work and study opportunities in the field of logistics centre and food aid, increases food aid through the collection and distribution of centralised food waste, develops cooperation between SMEs in the Oulu region and third sector operators.
Draft work and functional capacity / ESF+
Applicant: Let's try together ry
Total cost 830 982 €
Aid requested 664 788 €
The project involves and employs the long-term unemployed who are most vulnerable and at risk of social exclusion. The aim is to develop and strengthen the work and functional capacity, inclusion, health, resilience and empowerment of the target group through Green Care and Blue Care methods, work, workshops and trainings.
Three projects are not in favour of funding from the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021 – 2027 EU Regional and Structural Policy Programme
- Horizontal development of agricultural enterprises through training programme and advice / ESF+
- TT2 project/ESF+
- From longitudinal path to work / ESF+
Next meeting
The next meeting of the secretariat of the Provincial Cooperation Group will be held on 19 September 2023.
