Press releases

The provincial government held its last meeting in the spring at Maikkula Manor on Monday 5 June. On lobbying issues, Provincial Director Markus Erkkilä presented the state of play of the Government Programme negotiations. Jussi Rämet will start as regional director at the beginning of September Jussi Rämet, M.A., has announced that he will take up the position of regional director and start working on 1 September 2023. The provincial government confirmed the election of the provincial president. The post is subject to a six-month probationary period. The provincial government approved the provincial director's agreement. As a basis for the planning work, the Provincial Government approved the responses to the feedback prepared for the preparation phase of the energy and climate phase of Northern Ostrobothnia as principles for the planning of the proposal phase. In addition to the feedback-specific response, nine general responses were formulated, which cover the whole of the theme in question more broadly. Preparations will continue through a more detailed review of the feedback from the draft phase, as well as ongoing and already prepared studies, cooperation between authorities and labour negotiations. Also …

Editorial by Helsingin Sanomat, 22 May “The North is fast becoming the New South” is a good illustration of the current situation in the northern regions of Finland, Sweden and Norway. The eyes have now turned north for a number of reasons. NATO membership, the energy crisis and the growing importance of security of supply have increased the weight of northern Finland. At the same time, investments in renewable energy, i.e. the green transition, are injecting tens of billions of euros into Northern Finland. For example, it is estimated that around 65 % all wind power production planned for Finland will be in the four northern provinces.  Consumers and companies providing products and services to consumers, as well as the capital that finances them, are the primary drivers of the green transition. For this reason, investments in the green transition are important for the Finnish economy and for safeguarding our well-being. The green transition will …

On Monday 29 May 2023, the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia approved the financial statements and the report of the Board of Directors of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia for 2022. The result for the financial year was EUR 84,342.90. In terms of operations, the objectives set for 2022 were achieved. The focus of the year 2022 was, among other things, on improving the region's position in European and national transport policy, strengthening the importance of northern transport connections, implementing the regional programme, internationality and implementing the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 programme. During the year of operation, preparations for the regional plan for the energy and climate phase in Northern Ostrobothnia continued, and the studies of the TUULI project managed by the union are an important part of the preparation. The annual report and the financial statements can be accessed via this link. The evaluation report drawn up by the Audit Board states that the activities of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia were good.  The goals have been set correctly and they have been realistic in relation to the resources. The rest of … was raised.

Results of the fixed-term application period for the company development grant The fixed-term application period for the company 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 from 19 April to 12 May 2023 The JTF application period for 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 from the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 programme Gate to National Park, phase 1 / ERDF Responsible Authority: Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia 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…

The provincial government met on Monday 8 May in Oulu. In advocacy matters, Provincial Director Markus Erkkilä spoke about the state of play of influencing the Government Programme. The landscape survey of the TUULI project has been completed The TUULI project studies new areas suitable for wind power, which will be indicated in the regional plan for the energy and climate phase of Northern Ostrobothnia. The landscape survey now completed is the last preparatory study of the TUULI project. The combined effects caused by several wind power projects have also been taken into account in the assessment of landscape impacts at a distance of 40 km beyond the borders of the Northern Ostrobothnia region. The report takes into account the effects on landscape areas and built cultural environments of regional and national value, nature and cultural tourism areas of regional significance, as well as recreational areas and routes. The disturbances visible in the landscape include industrial areas of regional significance, regional and national electricity lines, as well as peat production areas and soil extraction areas. The landscape report and its appendices can be found here. Sea basin plan update is being rushed Sea basin plan…

Open calls for applications under the Renewing and Skilled Finland 2021 – 2027 programme can be found on the EURA 2021 website: The results of the funding applications of the Northern Ostrobothnia ELY Centre The results of the ESF+ call for applications of the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 programme The Northern Finland ESF+ call for applications of the Northern Ostrobothnia ELY Centre for Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 programme ended on 23 March 2023. The number of ESF+ applications for Northern Ostrobothnia was 79 (47 projects). The ESF+ applications applied for a total of approximately EUR 20.7 million. In addition, 22 cross-regional ESF+ applications (projects 10) were received for a total of approximately EUR 6.5 million. The results of the ESF+ call for applications for the Sustainable Urban Development Ecosystem Agreement of the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment for Northern Ostrobothnia (ELY Centre) for Sustainable Urban Development in Oulu ended on 20 March 2023.…

The provincial government met on Tuesday 11 April in Oulu. In matters related to lobbying, Provincial Director Markus Erkkilä spoke about influencing the Government Programme and parliamentary cooperation. In addition, the TE Services 2024 reform sparked a lot of discussion. The responsibility for organising employment services will be transferred to municipalities at the beginning of 2025. The agreement on the employment areas to be formed must be submitted to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment by the end of October 2023. With the EMMI project, the first work package of the Regional Council of North Ostrobothnia's EMMI – Energy Transition and Assessment of the Climate Impact of Land Use project provides background material for the ongoing Regional Energy and Climate Action Plan for North Ostrobothnia. The result is a general thematic map of hydrogen potential at the level of the provincial review, a more detailed target description of seven different potential areas, and a location control model, HydrogenGIS. In addition, the study examines the boundary conditions for the location of solar energy in land use planning, as well as aspects related to bioenergy. The result is a holistic review of green…

Current project presentations Sustainable and integrated electrical energy storage with additive manufacturing methods (SIESAM), business development grants applied for by the University of Oulu in Northern Ostrobothnia and search results The regional cooperation group took note of the business development grants applied for in Northern Ostrobothnia from 14 March to 31 December 2022. Development grants totalling EUR 29.2 million were applied for in Northern Ostrobothnia, Lapland and Kainuu. The number of applications received was 101. The regional cooperation group also took note of the results of the applications for business development grants from 1 January to 28 February 2023. Since the beginning of the year, the North Ostrobothnia Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment has received 35 applications with a total planned funding of EUR 4.5 million. The regional cooperation group supports three projects for funding Renewable and skilled Finland 2021-2027 under the EU regional and structural policy programme Sustainable and integrated electrical energy storage with additive manufacturing methods (SIESAM) - Development project / ERDF Responsible authority: Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia Applicant:…

The results of the funding applications in the second round of the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 programme, which ended on 28 March 2023, were received by 35 applications from the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia. They applied for support for 23 different projects for a total amount of approximately EUR 11.2 million. The application period for national AKKE funding ended on 28 March 2023. Fifteen applications for funding were received. The total amount of support for the projects was EUR 1 048 026. The second ERDF call for applications for Sustainable Urban Development of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia ended on 9 December 2022. Six project applications were received for a total amount of EUR 434 089. The secretariat of the provincial cooperation group took note of the results of the funding applications. The application period for the JTF under the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 programme has been postponed. The JTF call is currently expected to open on 21 April 2023. Due to the delay, the first processing date of the applications will be postponed and it will be 12 May 2023. the Provincial Cooperation Group …

The provincial government met on Tuesday 14 March in Oulu. On lobbying issues, Provincial Director Markus Erkkilä presented the state of play of air traffic. The Regional Board approved the financial statements and the report of the Board of Directors of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia. The result for the financial year 2022 is a surplus of EUR 84 342.90. The financial statements and the report of the Board of Directors proceed from the meeting of the Provincial Government to the Provincial Council in May for consideration. Even though the operating environment has undergone a revolution, the goals of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia can be well suited for change. Strengthening the Western connections in advocacy and international cooperation, in regional planning through wind power, which has increased energy self-sufficiency, and in supporting the green transition with cohesion policy instruments respond well to the challenges brought about by the geopolitical change, emphasised Pauli Harju, who will be on leave at the end of March, in a review by the Provincial Director. Project Manager Mirko Laakkonen presented Iijoki's project portfolio. Restoration of the natural cycle of migratory fish in Iijoki…