Press releases

According to a study published by the Lapland Chamber of Commerce in the Growth through Cooperation project, the investment potential in the Barents region of Northern Finland, Northern Sweden and Northern Norway reaches EUR 160 billion. The report took into account the investments in implementation, confirmed and planned, mainly until 2030. The results confirm the picture of the north as a driver of industrial livelihoods, and the implementation of climate targets is reflected in investments in an unprecedented way. Liisa Ansala, CEO of the Lapland Chamber of Commerce, presented the report to the Youth Council. The activities of the Barents Regional Youth Council (BRYC) as the representative of Northern Ostrobothnia Kosma Rönkä from Oulu and Hanna Honkamäkilä, Head of International Affairs of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia presented the activities of the Barents Regional Youth Council. BRYC (Barents Regional Youth Council) has been operating since 2004. Involved in international cooperation are young people who live in Barents…

Renewable and competent call notices and application periods for the Finland 2021-2027 programme Fixed-term call for applications for the Business Development Grant (ERDF) from 9 January to 28 February 2023 Continuous call for applications for the Business Environment Development Grant and Business-Networked Research Projects (JTF) on jointly agreed processing dates. As soon as possible in early 2023. Continuous application process for the Business Development Grant (JTF). As soon as possible in early 2023. The open calls for applications can be found on the EURA 2021 website: The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia and the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centre) have prepared a continuous application period for the JTF for 2023, with application dates of 31 March, 31 August and 30 November. The days are the same for the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, the ELY's ERDF and ESF-type development projects, as well as the ELY's operating environment support projects (TYT) and business networked research projects. There is a continuous search for business subsidies. Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia…

The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia held a meeting in Oulu, ODL Wegelius Hall on Monday 12 December 2022. The regional council granted Pauli Harju resignation from the position of regional director. The last day of office in Harju is 31 March 2023. The budget was approved, the regional council approved the economic and operational plan of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia for 2023-2025 and the budget for 2023. It was decided to increase municipal contributions by 4%. In the 2023 budget of the Regional Council of North Ostrobothnia, the operating revenue amounts to EUR 6 192 236. Of this, the member municipalities' contribution is EUR 3 628 976. The result for the financial year, after depreciation in the budget year, is EUR 0. The surplus/deficit for the financial year is EUR 0. The Regional Council approved amendments to the Administrative Regulation of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia. The Northern Ostrobothnia Youth Council was abolished by deleting the provisions concerning the Youth Council and its rules of procedure. In addition, the administrative rule…

The meeting of the North Ostrobothnia Regional Cooperation Group was held on Monday 24 November in Oulu. A presentation of the project was heard at the meeting. Youth Friends Association, Work Force, Phoenix ry and Next Sterp, KRIS-Oulu ry told about the Encounter project. The regional cooperation group heard about the ability of Northern Ostrobothnia to change, i.e. resilience. The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia has produced a study on the resilience of municipalities in the region in terms of different risks. The study covers economic and technological risks, as well as risks related to price volatility, changes in demand, policy and regulation, geopolitics and the environment. The results of the study were presented by Jukka Teräs Norrum Oy.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 Funder: North Ostrobothnia Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment Priority axis: 4…

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 by the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia are valid continuously…

The meeting of the Provincial Government on Monday 14 November discussed, among other things, the recruitment process for the position of Provincial Director and the financial and operational plan 2023-2025. The Provincial Government took note of the resignation of Provincial Director Pauli Harju from the position of Provincial Director and proposes to the Provincial Council that it grant Pauli Harju resignation from the position of Provincial Director so that his last day of office is 31 March 2023. Harju has led the Regional Council since 2008. In matters concerning lobbying, the Regional Director raised the municipalities' position on the lease agreements to be transferred to the wellbeing services county and on the transfer of funding for the Kolartic and Karelia programmes. The recruitment process for the post of Provincial Director starts with the proclamation of the post of Provincial Director for the period from 7 December 2022 to 13 January 2023. A study group was selected for the recruitment process of the Provincial Director: Chairman of the Provincial Government Jussi Ylitalo, Deputy Chairman of the Regional Council of Liisa Ojantakanen (Centre) Mari-Leena Talvitie, Juha Hänninen (cod.) 1st vice-chair of the provincial council Jouni Jussinniemi, in reserve…

The Regional Government of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia has awarded the Northern Ostrobothnia Prize to journalist, columnist and non-fiction writer Helena Petäistö. Helena Petäistö graduated from Oulu University of Applied Sciences and graduated as an economist from the Helsinki School of Economics. While working in a French company in Paris, he also started doing stories for Finnish media. After returning to Finland in 1983, he worked as a foreign journalist for MTV news. In 1990, Petäistö returned to Paris as a correspondent for MTV news in France and Europe. Helena Petäistö has written numerous works on French and European politics, the French way of life and European cities. He has worked for ten years as a columnist for Suomen Kuvalehti and currently as a European columnist for MTV. In addition, Petäistö has become known as a popular European speaker, journalistic expert and commentator. Helena Petäistö lives in Helsinki and Paris.…

The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia awarded the 2022 organisation award to Luohua Rural Association for its activities that strengthen the wellbeing and inclusion experience of the target group by welcoming new villagers and cottagers to the village. Luohua Rural Association has shown a uniquely broad sense of participation, cooperation and volunteer spirit. At Luohua, new villagers and cottagers are welcomed to the village, residents who have recently moved are remembered, and they are personally welcomed to live in the community. The goal is everyday cohesiveness. The villagers are very actively and extensively involved. The action has been border-breaking. The chairman of the association, Päivi Pietarila, considers the spirit of the village of Luohua to be very good.  “We have a long tradition of welcoming all new villagers. Since the village is small and remote, it is good to tell everyone…

The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia has granted the North Ostrobothnia Act of Wellbeing 2022 recognition to the municipality of Kempele for its long-term work in opening up local nature to promote the well-being and health of its residents. In Kempele, local residents are given easy access to nearby nature. The recognition was shared at the North Ostrobothnia Welfare Forum on 2 November 2022 in Pyhäjärvi. “The municipality’s core tasks include promoting the well-being and health of its residents. It is not just about organising services, but to the greatest extent about building conditions and creating opportunities," says Tuomas Lohi, Mayor of Kempele. Kempele's efforts to improve the accessibility of nearby nature and the framework for nature hiking are also well in line with the objectives of the Regional Programme for Northern Ostrobothnia related to the quality of nearby nature and the connection with nature. Taking into account the needs of physical activity in nature is an effective way to increase the amount of physical activity in the municipality. "Kempele has been investing in low-threshold nearby recreational areas with determination for a long time, as the latest investment …

The meeting of the North Ostrobothnia Regional Cooperation Group was held on Monday 31 October in Oulu. At the beginning of the meeting, Mikko Vähä-Sipilä, Director of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, presented Finland's sustainable growth programme and the allocation of its funding to Northern Ostrobothnia. Funding for Finland's sustainable growth programme comes from the EU's Recovery Instrument. In accordance with the objectives of the Government Programme, Finland's sustainable growth programme supports ecologically, socially and economically sustainable growth. The programme accelerates competitiveness, investment, upskilling and research, development and innovation. Recovery funding promotes the renewal of the industrial structure and the competitive advantage of Finnish companies based on sustainable solutions. Renewing and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 Regional Financing Plans of the EU Regional and Structural Policy Programme for 2022-2024 Renewing and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 Financing Plans of the EU Regional and Structural Policy Programme for 2022-2024 (JTF, ERDF…