17.11.2022
Meeting press release of the secretariat of the regional cooperation group 17.11.2022
At the meeting of the Secretariat of the Provincial Cooperation Group, the state of play of the JTF preparation was heard. Finland's JTF proposal was sent to the European Commission on 4 November 2022 and the Commission has received the proposal. DG REGIO has announced that it will launch an internal Commission accreditation consultation on 7-8 November. In the best case, Finland's JTF proposal can be approved before Christmas.
The meeting also heard a summary of the report prepared by the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia on the implementation and results of the Structural Funds Programme for Sustainable Growth and Work 2014-2020, based on the indicators of the projects funded by the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia and interviews with project promoters. The North Ostrobothnia Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment presented the corporate finance review for the 2014-2020 programme period for North Ostrobothnia.
In addition, the meeting reviewed the call notices and application periods of the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 programme and the topical issues of the EAFRD.
Funding applications received laudably
The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia has an ongoing application for national AKKE funding. Applications received by 31 October 2022 pursuant to the call for applications have been accepted. Fifteen applications for aid amounted to EUR 989 919.
From 1.9 to 1.11.2022, there were 5 applications for operating environment development grants and business networked research projects in Northern Ostrobothnia, totalling 122 761 €, 206 845 €, 138 019 €, 181 300 € and 359 996 €.
Parties for Projects
The Secretariat of the Provincial Cooperation Group supports the project to be funded from the Finnish Structural Funds Programme for Sustainable Growth and Jobs 2014-2020:
Future of air transport in Northern Finland /ERDF
Responsible authority: Regional Assembly of Oulu Region
Target programme: Sustainable growth and jobs 2014-2020 Finnish Structural Funds Programme.
Applicant: Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia
Execution period: 1.11.2022-31.12.2023
Area of implementation: Northern Ostrobothnia
In recent years, a lot of work has been done by various projects, tourism marketing and sales organisations, companies and other parties to ensure the rapid accessibility of Northern Finland. Air traffic development and future prospects were good in the region until the beginning of 2020, when the coronavirus began to spread into a global pandemic. Restrictions related to travel and the collapsed demand almost completely stopped air traffic, and several localities in northern Finland were also left without air connections. During autumn and winter 2021/22, the air traffic supply started to improve slightly, but the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 posed additional challenges. The recovery of air traffic will be slow and it will certainly take several years to reach pre-pandemic 2019 levels.
In Northern Finland, a clear situational picture of the development and recovery of air traffic in both domestic and international traffic is needed in order to enable the region to play an active role in matters related to the development of air traffic. The project is involved in sharing and disseminating up-to-date information and participates in networking and advocacy events related to the topic.
The project will create conditions for the competitiveness and survival of companies in the region. Operators in the region will be helped to keep in touch with the airlines and airport operators operating in the region. Cooperation and interaction between air transport operators will also be activated at regional level, if necessary. The project cooperates with regional organisations, chambers of commerce and other projects and projects.
The project cooperates with parties operating in connection traffic and travel chains. The project organises events related to air transport. The project acquires information and analyses on the development of air traffic and the economic impact on the regions.
The project ensures that the actors and decision-makers in the project area have an up-to-date view of the situation and that matters related to air traffic are discussed during the discussions on the development of traffic in the area. In the short term, the aim is to restore air traffic to a level that optimally serves the region's travel needs. As long-term effects, it is possible to prepare in time for the opportunities and challenges arising from the development of air transport.
Total cost estimate (€):
Staff costs: 84 000
Purchasing services: 50 000
Indirect costs: 20 000
Total costs: 166 600
Overall financial plan (€):
ERDF and State funding requested: 116 620
Financing of municipalities: 49 9800
Total funding: 166 600
The secretariat of the regional cooperation group supports the following projects to be funded under the EU Regional and Structural Policy Programme Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021 – 2027:
Encounter project / ESF+
Applicant: Friends of Young People
Funded by: North Ostrobothnia Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment
Priority axis: 4
Area of implementation: Oulu, Raahe, Ylivieska, Haapavesi
Aid requested/total cost: €1 163 116 / €1 453 891
Execution period: 1.1.2023 – 31.12.2025
Work Force / ESF+
Applicant: Phoenix ry
Funded by: North Ostrobothnia Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment
Priority axis: 4
Area of implementation: Oulu, Raahe, Pudasjärvi, Kuusamo
Aid requested/total cost: 350 066 € / 437 583 €
Execution period: 1.1.2023 – 31.12.2025
Total at work / ESF+
– Applicant: Finnish Diaconia Institute - SDO Oy
– Donor: Häme Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment
– Priority axis: 4 Employable, competent and inclusive Finland, et. 4.2. New skills for working life
– Area of implementation: Päijät-Häme, Uusimaa, Northern Ostrobothnia
– Aid requested/total cost (North Ostrobothnia contribution): 104 382 e / 139 176 e
– Execution period: 1.1.2023 – 31.5.2025
KoKo – Towards education and training / ESF+
– Applicant: Oulu University of Applied Sciences Ltd (part-executor)
– Donor: Häme Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment
– Priority axis: 4 Employable, competent and inclusive Finland, et. 4.2. New skills for working life
– Area of implementation: South Karelia, Kymenlaakso, Northern Ostrobothnia
– Aid requested/total cost (North Ostrobothnia contribution): EUR 196 578 / EUR 245 721
– Execution period: 1.1.2023-31.12.2025
MOTIO - Stay tuned for study and work in Oulu / ESF+
Applicant: Tervarit Juniorit ry
Funded by: North Ostrobothnia Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment
Priority axis: 4
Area of implementation: Oulu
Aid requested/total cost: 545 496 € / 681 870 €
Execution period: 1.1.2023 – 31.12.2025
Next Step / ESF+
Applicant: KRIS-Oulu ry
Funded by: North Ostrobothnia Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment
Priority axis: 4
Area of implementation: Oulu
Aid requested/total cost: 384 780 € / 481 131 €
Execution period: 1.1.2023 – 31.12.2025
The secretariat of the regional cooperation group supports serfative projects to be funded from the Finnish Structural Funds Programme for Sustainable Growth and Jobs 2014-2020:
Corporate resilience, green transition and digitalisation (React, Northern Finland) / ESF
Applicant: Oulu University of Applied Sciences Ltd
Co-implementers: Lapland University of Applied Sciences Ltd and Kajaani University of Applied Sciences Ltd
Funded by: Northern Ostrobothnia Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment
Axis 9. REACT-EU ESF measures (specific objective 12.4 Enterprises and entrepreneurs
increasing the ability to change)
Area of implementation: Haapavesi-Siikalatva, Eastern Lapland, Kajaani, Kehys-Kainuu, Kemi-Tornio,
Koillismaa, Nivala-Haapajärvi, Oulu, Oulunkaari, Northern Lapland, Raahe, Rovaniemi,
Sub-regions of Torniolaakso, Fell Lapland and Ylivieska
Aid requested/total cost: 537 746 € / 672 182 €
Execution period: 1.12.2022 – 31.12.2023
Decisions were made on spring meetings
In addition, the Secretariat of the Provincial Cooperation Group decided on its meetings in spring 2023. The meetings will be held on 31 January 2023 at 9.00 on 22 February 2023 at 9.00 on 22 March 2023 at 9.00 on 25 April 2023 at 9.00 on 23 May 2023 at 9.00 and on 20 June 2023 at 9.00.
Additional information:
Heikki Laukkanen,
Regional Development Specialist
Tel. +358 50 918 0035
