27.10.2025
Decisions of the Regional Government Meeting
The Regional Government of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia met in Oulu on 27 October. This is an announcement of the meeting's decisions. The minutes will be published at the following address: the agendas and minutes of the institutions;
Link to agenda: Agenda 27.10.2025
Please find enclosed the decisions of the meeting:
Strategy of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia 2025-2029
The Strategy 2025-2029 of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia will be submitted for approval to the last meeting of the Regional Council in 2025. The new strategy has been taken into account in the preparation of the budget 2026 and the economic plan 2027-2028 of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia.
Decision of the provincial government:
An update on the strategy 2025-2029 of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia was noted.
Principles of action of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia in the international organisation CPMR
International activities are a strategic priority for the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia. Membership of the CPMR is a way to implement this priority. The Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) is a member organisation of 150 provinces founded in 1973. The Federation is a member of the CPMR Regional Commissions in the Baltic Sea Commission. The CPMR Baltic Sea Commission has four working groups: Working Party on Transport, Maritime Affairs, Arctic and Energy and Climate. Representatives of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia to the CPMR working groups and activities, as well as the operating model for influencing, will be prepared for the meeting of the regional government on 17 November 2025.
Decision of the provincial government:
Signed for information.
Interim report 3/2025
The third interim report of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia for 2025 presents the implementation of the budget for 2025 for the period January-September. During the period under review, the Union's economy has materialised as planned and there are no significant deviations from the budget.
Decision of the provincial government:
Signed for information.
Using the credit and debit card of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia
The principles related to the use of credit and debit cards have been updated and revised to fit the current situation.
Decision of the provincial government:
The guidelines on the use of payment and credit cards by the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia were approved.
The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia's guidelines on hospitality and representation
The Code of Conduct for Hospitality and Representations has been updated and revised to fit the current situation.
Decision of the provincial government:
The North Ostrobothnia Regional Council's guidelines on hospitality and representation were approved.
Travel instructions of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia
In the updated travel instructions, the travel policy of elected officials has been amended in such a way that travel based on the status of a elected official or a specific task no longer requires a separate travel order from the institution. Other missions and training must continue to be approved by the institution concerned before the mission.
Decision of the provincial government:
The travel instructions of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia were approved.
Acquisition instructions of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia
The procurement instructions have been simplified with regard to procurement limits and related procedures so that the procurement instructions for procurements below the threshold of the Act on Public Contracts would be as clear and easily applicable as possible and in accordance with the purpose in relation to the value of the procurement. The instructions for signing the invitation to tender have also been updated. If the provincial government decides on the procurement, the invitation to tender shall be signed by the provincial director or the administrative director, unless the institution has authorised the other office holder to sign.
Decision of the provincial government:
Acquisition instructions were approved.
The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia's contract management guidelines
The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia has not previously had more detailed guidance on contract management as required by the Administrative Regulation. This Guide defines the responsibilities and tasks related to the drafting, registration, monitoring and preservation of the contract.
Decision of the provincial government:
A contract management guideline was adopted.
Establishment of Paying Experts (5)
The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia acts as an intermediate authority in the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 programme of the EU's regional and structural policy. The programme includes the responsibilities of the authorities for the ERDF and the JTF. The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia also provides national AIKOO and AKKE funding. In view of the rapporteur's responsibilities, the rapporteur must be in an official position, in which case the rapporteur is responsible for his/her proposal on the basis of his/her official responsibilities. In the Regional Council of North Ostrobothnia, four people work as payment specialists and one as project finance specialists.
Decision of the provincial government:
The provincial government established five payment specialist posts.
Establishment of regional development experts (4)
The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia acts as an intermediate authority in the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 programme of the EU's regional and structural policy. The programme includes the responsibilities of the authorities for the ERDF and the JTF. The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia also provides national AIKOO and AKKE funding. In view of the rapporteur's responsibilities, the rapporteur must be in an official position, in which case the rapporteur is responsible for his/her proposal on the basis of his/her official responsibilities. The Regional Council of North Ostrobothnia employs four people as regional development specialists.
Decision of the provincial government:
The provincial government established four regional development expert posts.
Establishment of the post of Head of Administrative Development (1)
The Regional Council of North Ostrobothnia's Administrative Development Manager is responsible for the statutory requirements of information management, internal audit, internal control and risk management, as well as tasks related to the procurement process and contract management. The task also includes work packages related to archiving under the Archives Act. The archiving activity shall be carried out in such a way as to support the performance of the tasks of the archivist and the right of individuals and entities to be informed of public documents, with due regard for the legal protection of individuals and entities and for data protection. The person in charge of the organisation is responsible for information management tasks with official responsibility.
Decision of the provincial government:
The provincial government established the post of Head of Administrative Development.
Principles for small grants of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia
The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia has granted small operating grants to organisations each year from its budget. The small grants have ranged from a few hundred euros to a few thousand euros. On an annual basis, small grants have amounted to a maximum of approximately EUR 5000.
Small grants may be granted on a discretionary basis to the North Ostrobothnian community for activities that are lawful, socially acceptable and necessary for the applicant. The grant must not distort competition or the market. Grants may not be awarded for commercial activities. The assisted activities must be regionally targeted at Northern Ostrobothnia and support the Northern Ostrobothnian identity. Activities must be transparent and of general interest. The total amount of aid to be granted shall not exceed the appropriations provided for in the budget.
Decision of the provincial government:
Adoption of the principles for small grants.
Participation in the Provincial Parliament of Northern Ostrobothnia 2025
The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia organises the Regional Days of Northern Ostrobothnia from 3 to 4 November 2025 at the Oulu Theatre. A joint meeting of municipal presidiums and municipal leaders will be held before the Parliament on 3 November from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The event is organised by the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia together with Pohde. The provincial government has been invited to the event. The members of the provincial government and the chairmen of the provincial council have participated primarily as representatives of their own municipalities to the regional parliament. If the municipality of residence does not reimburse the travel costs or arrange a ride to the county parliament, the federation may, if necessary, reimburse the travel costs caused by participation. The performers may be compensated for the loss of earnings caused by the performance.
Decision of the provincial government:
The provincial government decided that
1) the members of the provincial government and the chairmen of the provincial council are invited to participate in the Regional Parliament of Northern Ostrobothnia and the joint meeting of municipal presidiums and municipal leaders; and
2) travel expenses and loss of earnings in accordance with the description section, unless the municipality of residence reimburses travel expenses.
Organisational Act 2025, decision is public 4.11.2025
North Ostrobothnia Prize 2025, decision is public 3.11.2025
Cases of report
Meeting of provincial leaders and Minister of Economic Affairs Puisto 4.11.2025
Meeting of Members of Parliament of the Oulu constituency 6.11.2025
Meetings of the Advisory Councils of Northern Finland and Eastern and Northern Finland 10.12.2025
The provincial government's trip to Norrbotten from 18 to 19 December 2025
Decision of the provincial government:
Signed for information.
Official decisions for the period 17.9.-21.10.2025
The officials of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia have made executive decisions on the basis of the administrative regulation and the delegation of the decision-making power of the regional government.
Decision of the provincial government:
Signed for information. The provincial government did not exercise the right of withdrawal under Section 92 of the Local Government Act.
Statements by the Office for the period 17.9.-21.10.2025
the Northern Ostrobothnia Regional Assembly enclosed opinions.
Decision of the provincial government:
The statements made by the Office were noted.
