23.05.2023
Meeting press release of the Secretariat of the Provincial Cooperation Group, 23 May 2023
Results of the fixed-term application for a business development grant
The fixed-term application period for the business development grant was open in the region of Lapland and Northern Ostrobothnia from 1 March to 28 April 2023. By the deadline, 18 applications were received in Northern Ostrobothnia, totalling EUR 1 388 331.
JTF project applications received by the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia between 19 April and 12 May 2023
The application period for the JTF under the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 programme was opened on 19 April 2023. A total of 149 applications have been received by 12 May 2023. The total amount requested is approximately EUR 63.4 million.
The Secretariat of the Provincial Cooperation Group supports 13 projects to be funded under the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 programme
The gate to the national park, phase 1 / ERDF
Responsible authority: Regional Assembly of Oulu Region
Applicant: City of Kuusamo
Total cost estimate: EUR 367 089
ERDF and State funding requested: EUR 183 544
The project supports the adaptation of livelihoods to climate change and develops nature tourism, especially by developing routes. The project will improve the operating conditions of companies and the development of the Ruka region will also support the development of an international tourist destination in accordance with the region's tourism strategy.
Nature-positive Northern Ostrobothnia (NPOS) / ERDF
Responsible authority: Regional Assembly of Oulu Region
Applicant: University of Oulu
Total cost estimate: EUR 358 279
ERDF and State funding requested: EUR 286 623
The project provides a basis for measuring and developing nature-positive business in Northern Ostrobothnia. At the same time, it produces information on the economic impacts of biodiversity loss and opportunities for the region's business activities. The project also supports the county's climate work.
Rethinking North – Year-round tourism success factor/ERDF group project
Responsible authority: Regional Assembly of Oulu Region
Applicant: Northeast Finland Development Company Naturpolis Oy
Sub-applicants: Salla Municipality (Lappi), Sotkamo Municipality (Kainuu), Ruka-Kuusamo Tourism Association, Suomussalmi Municipality (Kainuu) and Pudasjärven Kehitys Oy
Total cost estimate: EUR 3 240 085
ERDF and State funding requested: EUR 2 592 069 (P-P EUR 1 498 580, Kainuu EUR 713 226, Lapland EUR 380 263)
The project supports the growth of international tourism by strengthening internationalisation and marketing capabilities, utilization of digitalisation and regional cooperation. The project aims to attract international passengers, especially to Kuusamo Airport and its catchment area. In addition to air transport connections, discussions will be opened with other transport operators.
More accessible Kurunpurto / ERDF
Responsible authority: Regional Assembly of Oulu Region
Applicant: City of Nivala
Total cost estimate: EUR 1 266 403
ERDF and State funding requested: EUR 506 561
The project will improve transport and logistics connections in the region. During 2023-2025, the project will build plans for the Kurunpuhto industrial area, which will also enable the realisation of business investments in the area.
Junnkangas Industrial Park Phase I / ERDF
Responsible authority: Regional Assembly of Oulu Region
Applicant: City of Ylivieska
Total cost estimate: EUR 2 653 893
ERDF and State funding requested: EUR 928 863
The project supports the construction of an industrial area in accordance with the town plan in the Junnkangas area. The area's logistics connections and traffic will be improved by building roads and streets. The measures will reach 23 new industrial plots in the industrial park area.
Development of the Pentinkangas business area / ERDF
Responsible authority: Regional Assembly of Oulu Region
Applicant: Municipality of Ii
Total cost estimate: EUR 700 000
ERDF and State funding requested: EUR 280 000
In the project, plan roads will be built for the planned plots in the Iin Pentinkangas business area, which will enable the realisation of business investments. Other transport and logistics links in the region will also be improved.
Improving the accessibility of the Kalajoki Port Business Park / ERDF
Responsible authority: Regional Assembly of Oulu Region
Applicant: City of Kalajoki
Total cost estimate: EUR 1 191 710
ERDF and State funding requested: EUR 476 684
The project will improve transport and logistics connections that are important for SMEs to the Port of Kalajoki, whose business plots are currently in strong demand. The project involves the construction of a new planned road line for Satamatie, which will enable new companies to be located in the Kalajoki harbour area.
Upgrading of treatment plant level / ERDF
Responsible authority: Regional Assembly of Oulu Region
Applicant: Municipality of St. John's
Total cost estimate: EUR 137 152
ERDF and State funding requested: EUR 54 861
The new business activities in the Humalakangas area will significantly increase traffic volumes in Puhdistamontie. The project will build up the level of the planway, after which the future heavy traffic will be able to travel as the bearing capacity of the road improves. Improving transport and logistics connections, which are important for SMEs, will create new vitality and jobs in the Humalakangas area.
Development of Ruutkangas transport areas / ERDF, group project
Responsible authority: Regional Assembly of Oulu Region
Applicant: Municipality of Liminka
Total cost estimate: EUR 650 654
ERDF and State funding requested: EUR 260 262
The project will finalise the infrastructure of the Ruutkangas shooting sports centre, which is located on the border between the municipalities of Liminka and Lumijoki. Roads and parking areas are being asphalted in the area and their lighting is being developed. The project will have significant positive regional economic impacts, as international level competitions can be applied for in the Ruutkangas area already this year. The project also supports tourism in the region and Oulu region.
Oulu Water TestBed infrastructure / ERDF
Responsible authority: Regional Assembly of Oulu Region
Applicant: City of Oulu
Total cost estimate: EUR 176 872
ERDF and State funding requested: EUR 106 115
The project will implement a research environment that will provide researchers, water utilities and companies with the opportunity to develop water management and increase the security of operations. In addition, the research environment enables testing and piloting new innovations in a genuine wastewater management network. The research environments will be located at the Kaijonharju pumping plant and the Ervastinranta wastewater treatment plant.
Development of an online course on large arc structures /
Funded by: Northern Ostrobothnia Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment
Applicant: University of Oulu
Total cost estimate: EUR 249 760
Funding requested: EUR 199 808
Future leap – From second to future / ESF (supra-regional)
Funded by: Northern Ostrobothnia Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment
Applicant: Oulu University of Applied Sciences Ltd, University of Lapland, Kajaani University of Applied Sciences Ltd, University of Turku
Total cost estimate: EUR 431 000
Funding requested: EUR 344 800
PARTICIPANT NETWORK - Knowledge and networks for a carbon-neutral future / ESF
Funded by: Northern Ostrobothnia Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment
Applicant: Oulu University of Applied Sciences Ltd
Total cost estimate: EUR 198 133
Aid requested: EUR 158 504
Public search service for business support data
A public search service for business support information has been opened. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment's common data resource on business subsidies contains information on EU state aid granted by the state as of 2020. On the basis of the data reserve, a public information service was opened on 20 April 2023. Through the search service, business support information is easily available to everyone.
Next meeting
The next meeting of the secretariat of the Provincial Cooperation Group will be held on 22 August 2023.
Additional information
Development Specialist Heikki Laukkanen, 050 918 0035
