Press releases

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…

Päivi Keisanen, Development Manager, told about the preparation of the regional funding plans for the EU Regional and Structural Policy Programme 2021-2027. The financial programming describes the regional allocation of regional and structural policy funds by priority axis, specific objective and authority. In September, the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia and the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centre) discussed the preparation of the plans. The JTF financial tables are being prepared for the first time. The 2022 figure also includes the 2021 shares. The implementation of the JTF will start in 2023. As a result, a total of EUR 88.601 million will be available for JTF allocation in Northern Ostrobothnia next year. The JTF allocation mandate for the whole programming period amounts to EUR 118.523 million, which means that up to 75 % of the JTF funding for the whole programming period is available. It was decided to submit the financial plans for 2022-2024 for approval by the Provincial Cooperation Group, with the following modifications: in 2023 carry-over of 0,5…

Media plays a key role in mediating information on social issues and in following up decision-making. The realisation of democracy, the communication of pending issues, the participation of people and the rooting in their communities is done through local media.  The Postal Act is to be reformed so that, from the beginning of 2023, the three-day delivery and collection of mail will take place. At the same time, a fixed-term distribution aid for the five-day delivery of newspapers in sparsely populated areas would be introduced. Finland has a high-quality and vibrant press, the importance of which for democracy and the flow of information is immeasurable. The state must support the right of citizens to have access to printed newspapers in an up-to-date and equal manner, regardless of their place of residence. However, the Government's proposal would only cover the distribution of newspapers published at least three times a week. This is already set in the already challenging …

At the meeting, Regional Director Pauli Harju announced that he would resign from the position of Regional Director as of 31 March 2023.  Harju has led the Regional Council since 2008. The Provincial Government will discuss the resignation and is expected to start the recruitment process for the new Provincial Director at its next meeting on 14 November 2022. There was a lot of discussion about lobbying. Regional Director Pauli Harju told about the promotion of the energy transition in the Raahe region after the fall of Fennovoima Oy's Hanhikivi nuclear power plant project. Rail traffic as well as the Postal Act and the role of local media in the province were also raised. Report on the implementation and results of projects funded by the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia under the Structural Funds 2014-2020 programme Sustainable growth and work 2014-2020. The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia funded ERDF projects that were part of the priorities for the competitiveness of SMEs and the production and use of new knowledge and know-how. The REACT-EU programme, adopted in 2021, supported regions in repairing the damage caused by the COVID-19 crisis.…

The meeting of the North Ostrobothnia Regional Cooperation Group was held on Thursday 6 October in Oulu. The Working Party took note of the following topical presentations: Smart Machines and Systems – Investment project of Centria University of Applied Sciences Ltd. The regional cooperation group supported three ERDF projects for funding Sustainable growth and work 2014-2020 from the Finnish Structural Funds programme The final decision on financing the project is made by the Regional Council of North Ostrobothnia. Supported projects: Smart machinery and systems - investment / ERDF Applicant: The aim of the project is to promote a low-carbon economy and support the green transition. The investments in the project are directed to different areas of business and industry. Operators in the region will benefit from the acquisitions and the investments made through the project will enable the local business community to:…

The secretariat of the regional cooperation group held its meeting on Wednesday 28 September 2022 in Oulu. Saija Tikkanen presented the update of the smart specialisation strategy for Northern Ostrobothnia for 2021-2025. The priorities remain the same. North Ostrobothnia is regenerative and prosperous, climate-wise and international, networked and attractive. Päivi Keisanen, Head of Development, told about the preparation of the Regional Financing Plans for the EU Regional and Structural Policy Programme 2021-2027. The financial programming describes the regional allocation of regional and structural policy funds by priority axis, specific objective and authority. In addition, the plan provides an estimate of municipal and other public funding. The plan may also include a possible allocation of funds to cross-border activities. The JTF financial tables are being prepared for the first time. The 2022 figure also includes the 2021 shares.…

The provincial government convened a hybrid meeting on Monday 26 September. Regional Director Pauli Harju raised the situation of air traffic in advocacy matters, which has been the subject of regional cooperation. With regard to JTF funding, provision must be made for activating measures planned both at the Northern Finland level and in the entire region. The provincial government approved the budget for 2023 and the draft economic and operational plan for 2023-2025 as a basis for further preparation. The municipalities' opinions on the draft will be requested by 24 October 2022. The 2023 budget totals EUR 6 192 236 in operational revenue, which represents an increase of 14,2 % compared to the 2022 budget. Membership contributions have been increased by 4% compared to the 2022 contributions in line with the planning framework adopted by the Provincial Government. The result for the financial year after depreciation in the budget year is 0…

The Government of Northern Ostrobothnia will visit Brussels from 19 to 22 September 2022. In addition to the members of the Provincial Government, the Presidium of the Provincial Council and the Provincial Cooperation Group, as well as the office-holders of the Federation, will participate in the trip. The themes of the visit include regional and structural policy, RDI activities and transport, security and defence issues. Additional information: Jussi Ylitalo, President of the Provincial Government, tel. +358 45 160 6466 Pauli Harju, President of the Provincial Government, tel. +358 400 389 152

  The European Union sees great potential in tourism in the Baltic Sea region. The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia will invest heavily in the development of tourism in the coming years. The Federation has been selected together with the Pomorskie Region of Poland to coordinate the implementation of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region Tourism Policy Area Action Plan. According to Anna-Maija Toivonen, who started as the project manager, the implementation of the Baltic Sea Strategy will bring cross-regional cooperation to Northern Ostrobothnia and the entire Baltic Sea region. “Tourism in general is changing as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change is reflected in tourism in Europe. The aim is to bring actors together across regional borders", Toivonen describes the future. The EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) provides clear guidelines for this work. This is an agreement between the EU Member States and the Commission to deepen cooperation between the Baltic Sea …