17.10.2023
Meeting newsletter of the secretariat of the regional Cooperation Group
The secretary of the regional cooperation group held a Teams meeting on Tuesday 17 October.
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 in cooperation with the ELY Centres in particular, but also with other regional partners. The financial plans describe the regional allocation of Finnish regional and structural policy funds by priority axis, specific objective and authority for the next two years. In addition, the plan provides an estimate of municipal funding and other public funding by priority axis, specific objectives and authorities. The financial plans cover ERDF, ESF+ and JTF funding. In connection with the preparation of the financing tables, the situation regarding the commitment and reservation of the 2021-2023 granting powers for JTF and ERDF funding in the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia and the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment will also be examined.
Open calls for applications
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
The secretariat of the regional cooperation group supports the following projects to be funded under the EU's Regional and Structural Policy Programme 2021-2027:
Haapajärvi bioenergy terminal construction project / ERDF
Applicant: City of Haapajärvi
Total cost estimate 2 233 185 €
ERDF and state funding requested 1,563,230 €
Execution period: 1.11.2023-31.12.2024
The City of Haapajärvi wants to promote the logistics of energy wood harvesting and the operating conditions of SMEs that carry out processing regionally by constructing a bioenergy terminal in Haapajärvi. The bioenergy terminal project will serve the biorefinery under preparation in Haapajärvi and its raw material needs. The project will build a bioenergy terminal in the immediate vicinity of the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency's raw wood terminal area and VT27, where the new Halla bioindustrial area with biorefinery functions, prepared by the city, will also be built.
UUPO investment project, Renewable energy education infrastructure / ERDF
Applicant: Centria University of Applied Sciences Ltd
Sub-applicants: University of Oulu and Jokilaaksot Educational Consortium
Execution period: 2.1.2024-31.12.2025
Total cost estimate 1 338 000 €
ERDF and state funding requested 936 300 €
The project will build the necessary infrastructure for the training of renewable energy in Northern Ostrobothnia. It enables JEDU, Centria and the University of Oulu to offer training in different areas of renewable energy, as well as new training and career paths for those who either become unemployed or are not employed in the peat sector. In a parallel ESF+ project, the applicants will implement infrastructure-based renewable energy training paths that support changing entrepreneurship and support the employment of peat entrepreneurs in new business areas.
Adaptation to climate change in North-Eastern Finland (ISKO) / ERDF
Applicant: Northeast Finland Development Company Naturpolis Oy
Total cost €149,864
Aid requested 119 891 €
Execution period: 1 January 2024 – 31 December 2024
The aim of the project is to create a situational picture of the state of preparedness for climate change in the region's industries and, by industry, to find the most important development points for adapting to the challenges posed by climate change and exploiting opportunities. The project produces and disseminates information on the impacts of climate change on the most significant industries in Northeast Finland, maps the situation of the industries in terms of adapting to climate change and creates industry-specific operating models for adapting to climate change.
SOPIVA - Adaptation to the impacts of climate change / ERDF
Applicant: City of Ylivieska
Total cost 291 013 €
Aid requested 232 810 €
Execution period: 1 January 2024 – 31 December 2024
The purpose of the project is to support the work of the City of Ylivieska in preparing for the impacts of climate change. The project produces information to support the city's decision-making: what are the most significant impacts of climate change in the region, what the consequences are estimated to be, and how the impacts should be prepared for. Active adaptation measures will also be launched during the project and their implementation and effectiveness will be monitored.
Utilisation of acid sulphate soils - SmartHasu / ERDF
Applicant: Finnish Environment Institute
Co-implementers: GTK, Åbo Akademi University, Ab Yrkeshögskolan vid Åbo Akademi University
Total cost € 811 114
Aid requested 648 890 €
Execution period: From 1.1.2024 to 31.12.2026
The aim of the project is to develop research methods for acid sulphate soils to identify soil corrosion hazards and from the perspective of soil reuse planning. The project investigates the use of circular economy materials in the neutralisation and stabilisation of acid sulphate soils, promotes the use of acid sulphate soils in earthworks, and produces new information on the risk of corrosion caused by acid sulphate soils and its reduction in construction in part.
Arvovesi2 - Planning tools and tools to strengthen climate resilience in the Oulujoki river basin / ERDF
Applicant: Finnish Environment Institute
Total cost 84 000 €
Aid requested 63 000 €, Northern Ostrobothnia's share of the aid 50 % (i.e. € 31 500)
Execution period: 1 September 2023 – 31 December 2024
One of the objectives of the project is to negotiate with key stakeholders the coordinating body for the implementation of the water vision and to draw up an agreement on how the coordination work will be financed in the future. The project assesses various alternative ways of organising the implementation of the water vision and whether the model applied in the River Iijoki also works in the River Oulujoki. The second objective of the project is to pilot the two-stage approach developed in the SystemHiili project, which first allows the identification of sub-basins with a high need/potential for water pollution reduction, water retention, biodiversity improvement and greenhouse gas reduction, using spatial datasets in a diverse way at the wider catchment area level.
State-of-the-art H2 research infrastructure / ERDF
Applicant: University of Oulu
Sub-applicant: Oulu University of Applied Sciences Ltd
Total cost estimate 1 975 000 €
ERDF and State funding requested 1 382 500 €
Execution period: 1 September 2023 – 31 December 2024
The aim of the project is to enable high-level hydrogen research and training related to hydrogen technologies at the University of Oulu and Oulu University of Applied Sciences, and to support the access of companies, especially SMEs, to the state-of-the-art research infrastructure. Research infrastructure and experimental equipment enable the study, characterisation and validation of materials under realistic process conditions. The project will procure experimental equipment and material characterisation infrastructure for hydrogen-material interactions, hydrogen production, hydrogen and energy storage, and the validation of materials and technologies.
KASVA - Sustainable growth in micro and small enterprises through regional cooperation between RDI actors and business services / ERDF
Applicant: University of Oulu
Sub-applicants: North-Eastern Finland Development Company Naturpolis Oy, Nivala-Haapajärvi Region NIHAK ry, Liminka Municipality, Centria University of Applied Sciences Oy, Utajärven Yrityspuisto Oy, Haapaveden-Siikalatva Region Joint Municipal Authority and Pohjois-Pohjanmaan Yrittäjät ry.
Total cost estimate 1 975 000 €
ERDF and State funding requested 1 580 000 €
Execution period: 1.11.2023-31.10.2025
The project is a group project of low-threshold business service operators, entrepreneurs, researchers and innovation actors operating in different parts of Northern Ostrobothnia, the main objective of which is to promote the sustainable growth, renewal and development of companies in the region, their capacity for change and the living and holding power of the regions by launching a peer-to-peer network of regional business service operators, which will help to develop the effectiveness and awareness of business services and increase the region's RDI cooperation.
Renewable fuels for transport, capture and conversion of CO2 into fuels and control of other emissions from combustion engine flue-gases - MarineCO2 - Development and investment projects / ERDF
Applicant: University of Oulu
Sub-applicant: Natural Resources Institute Finland
Total cost estimate, development part 675 554 €
ERDF and State funding requested, development component 540 443 €
Total cost estimate, investment part 149 966 €
ERDF and State funding requested, investment compartment 104 976 €
Execution period: 1.9.2023 31.12.2025
The project studies the utilisation of CO2 collected from the engine environment in fuel production and the conversion of other harmful compounds in exhaust gases into harmless form. The aim is to select and develop catalysts for the removal of nitrogen oxides, ammonia and methane from exhaust gases, including the use of liquid biofuels, biogas and ammonia as fuels for internal combustion engines.
In connection with the pilot-scale combustion engine environment, the investment project will acquire a completely new kind of equipment for the capture and utilisation of carbon dioxide released from the combustion engine, which will include several units related to the capture, concentration, purification and conversion of carbon dioxide into new fuels.
Metapilot Factory / ERDF
Applicant: Oulu University of Applied Sciences Ltd
Sub-applicants: University of Oulu and Centria University of Applied Sciences Ltd
Total cost estimate 942 616 €
ERDF and State funding requested 754 093 €
Execution period: 1.11.2023-31.12.2025
The project maps the situational picture of the Northern Ostrobothnia region in relation to the global Metaverse development. The survey examines key technologies, innovation platforms and services as well as their suitability for different industries and development areas, taking into account the capabilities of different actors in the development and deployment of new technologies and their business potential. The mapping identifies and selects the most important development areas and concreteizes the implementation plans.
Combined storm and snow water management in urban environments: organic solutions and dimensioning issues / ERDF
Applicant: University of Oulu
Total cost 325 668 €
Aid requested 260 534 €
Execution period: 1.11.2023-31.10.2026
The aim of the project is to find out how tested nature-based solutions can be used to clean stormwater and snowfall waters in northern conditions, and what factors are important to take into account. In addition, the aim is to obtain stormwater dimensioning data from quantitative planning calculations, which must be taken into account in urban planning and changes.
ARTIFAB - Art and technology for a career path / ESF+
Applicant: University of Oulu
Total cost 393 438 €
Aid requested 295 078 €
Implementation period 1.12.2023-30.11.2026
Through projects combining digital small-scale manufacturing and art, the project aims to strengthen the study and working life readiness and social inclusion of the unemployed and inactive. The project will bring the benefits of digital small-scale manufacturing to those who normally do not have access to this technology, or opportunities to develop their abilities related to it.
Work & Stay – a whole life in North-Eastern Finland / ESF+
Applicant: City of Kuusamo
Co-implementers: Naturpolis Oy, Ksakki ry, City of Pudasjärvi, Taivalkoski Municipality, Posio Municipality & Puolanka Municipality
Total cost 2 224 853 €
Aid requested 1 779 899 €, Northern Ostrobothnia 1 478 304 €
Implementation period 1.12.2023-31.12.2025
The aim of the project is to increase well-being, employment and vitality in Koillismaa, as well as to prevent social exclusion, promote the employment of those who are poorly attached to the labour market and promote the availability of skilled labour.
JOPE - Persistent, proficient and able learning / ESF+
Applicant: Oulu Deaconess Institute Foundation sr
Co-implementer: Diaconia University of Applied Sciences Ltd
Total cost € 734 294
Aid requested 587 436 €
Implementation period from 1 December 2023 to 31 August 2026
The aim of the project is to promote the well-being and coping of the staff of the City of Oulu's comprehensive and upper secondary schools. The project promotes competence and the practices of individuals and organisations that increase well-being at work and thus productivity and performance at work. The project develops preventive solutions to the general challenges of coping in the education sector.
SECTION - Strengthening the competence of municipal professionals in supporting the well-being and health of families with children / ESF+
Applicant: Diaconia University of Applied Sciences Ltd
Co-implementer: Oulu Deaconess Institute Foundation sr
Total cost 448 604 €
Aid requested 358 882 €
Implementation period 1.11.2023-31.10.2025
The aim is to strengthen the competence of municipal professionals, parishes and organisations' employees in promoting the health and well-being of families with children, especially in promoting lifestyles and health behaviour, as well as in supporting physical and mental well-being. In addition, the aim is to strengthen cooperation between HYTE actors within and between municipalities and in relation to the wellbeing services area.
Responsible multi-skilled nature sector / ESF+
Applicant: KSAK Oy
Co-implementer: Oulu University of Applied Sciences Ltd
Total cost € 398 726
Aid requested 318 980 €
Implementation period from 01/10/2023 to 31/10/2025
The aim of the project is to create working life-oriented training contents for nature expertise, taking into account responsibility as future working life skills. The project develops educational content based on pedagogy that supports learning and enables the acquisition and verification of competences regardless of the time and place of training. The project develops the knowledge of responsible business operations of nature companies and other actors
The Provincial Cooperation Group Secretariat did not support the Lintulammen Tenants' Association It's a booze! – Supported on the way to work (ESF+) Funded by the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 EU Regional and Structural Policy Programme.
In addition, the following issues were addressed:
- Drafting the performance agreement of the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment for Northern Ostrobothnia for 2024 and half-yearly reporting for 2023.
- Results of the fixed-term application period for a business development grant, 21 August - 29 September 2023, in Northern Ostrobothnia.
- The Northern Ostrobothnia ELY Centre's ESF+ call for applications under Priority Axis 5 of the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 programme (Security nets for the future of young people), which ended on 2 October 2023, received four applications for support for Northern Ostrobothnia, totalling approximately EUR 977 000.
- The topical issues of the EU's EAFRD were reviewed.
- A guide can be found on the Valtioneuvosto.fi website Criteria and good practices for the management of government transfers : Guide to support state aid authorities, which deals with the management of government transfers mainly in the framework of the general regulation of the Act on Discretionary Government Transfers.
Next meeting
The next meeting of the secretariat of the Provincial Cooperation Group will be held on 15 November 2023.
