Press releases

The Northern Ostrobothnia Region Cooperation Group started its activities and approved the financing plan for 2021-2022. The North Ostrobothnia Regional Cooperation Group started its activities and elected its vice-chairman, the North Ostrobothnia Regional Cooperation Group (MYR), started its new term after the municipal elections. In addition to the previously elected Chairman Matti Heikkilä, Martti Turunen, Joonas Liimatta and What-Aukusti Heiskanen were elected Vice-Chairmen. Heikki Ojala, Head of Regional Development, was elected Secretary of the Northern Ostrobothnia Regional Cooperation Group. In addition, a whole group of expert members from the North Ostrobothnia Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centre) and expert representatives of stakeholders were selected for MYR. It was also decided to set up a Rural Section for MYR. Provincial cooperation groups are cooperation groups created in each province to coordinate the implementation of EU structural fund programmes and measures affecting the development of the region, which are appointed by the board of the Regional Council. The Regional Council of the Province is equally represented in the cooperation group for the development of the region…

The TUULI project is progressing – the entire group of studies completed by the Provincial Government was consulted on the background studies of the ongoing TUULI project related to green structure and ecosystem services. In connection with the TUULI project, an update report on the main migration routes of the bird population, a wolf territory report and an electricity transmission report were also consulted. The TUULI project produces new information on the suitability of the North Ostrobothnia region for wind power production and seeks solutions to environmental issues in the sector. The aim is to create conditions for the development of the sector, which would lead to an increase in emission-free electricity production in the Northern Ostrobothnia region. The TUULI project is strongly connected to the renewal of the regional plan for Northern Ostrobothnia that began in October 2021. The regional plan for the energy and climate phase addresses, among other things, the regional structure, energy production and transmission, the transport system, the green structure and the effects of the energy transition on land use planning, as well as the assessment of climate impacts. The Regional Councils of Northern Finland agreed on co-ordination and management co-operation The Regional Councils of Northern Finland agreed on co-operation related to the co-ordination and management of the Regional Councils. Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia…

The secretariat of the North Ostrobothnia Regional Cooperation Group met on Tuesday, 14 December 2021. The meeting discussed, among other things, the regional financing plan of the EU's regional and structural policy programme and its funding priorities, the presentation of Northern Finland's Corporate Finance Strategy and Guidelines for 2021-2027, the review of the preparation of the Just Transition Plan for Northern Ostrobothnia (JTF) and the presentation of the funding needs for the 2014-2020 programming period. The regional funding plan of the EU Regional and Structural Policy Programme 2021-2027 for 2021 and 2022 and the funding priorities included in the regional funding plan of the EU Regional and Structural Policy Programme describe the allocation by priority axis, specific objective and authority for the next two years on the basis of the regional angular number indicated by the managing authority. The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia and the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment of Northern Ostrobothnia have prepared a financing plan to be submitted to the Regional Cooperation Group (MYR) for approval. Corporate Finance Strategy for Northern Finland…

The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia met on 13 December and approved the Regional Programme for Northern Ostrobothnia 2022-2025 and the Economic and Operational Plan of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia for 2022-2024. In addition, the Presidium of the Northern Ostrobothnia Youth Council was granted the right to attend and speak at the meetings of the Regional Council. The Regional Council approved the Regional Programme for Northern Ostrobothnia 2022-2025. The plan seeks new thinking for regional and national regional development. The programme focuses on phenomena and themes that are important for the development of Northern Ostrobothnia. This aims to be flexible, proactive and quick to react to changes around us. The programme describes the guidelines for practical measures that will guide regional development and the allocation of regional funding for the next four years.  The main points of the county's development are: Province of happy and active people - North Ostrobothnia active, good and functional everyday life - Achievable, North Ostrobothnia of regions and opportunities International growth,…

The traditional Epiphany reception of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia was scheduled for 6 January 2022, but due to the current coronavirus epidemic situation, the reception has been cancelled.

The new provincial government met for the first time on Monday, 22 November 2021. As not all meeting files could be dealt with, the meeting resumed on Wednesday 24 November. As a Teams meeting. The provincial programme for Northern Ostrobothnia 2022-2025 for approval by the provincial council The provincial programme for Northern Ostrobothnia 2022-2025, which began in autumn 2020, will be submitted to the provincial council for approval in December. The preparation process of the provincial programme has been open and inclusive, in which all the regions and municipalities of the province, central government, as well as other key actors and stakeholders have been involved. The content and choices of the programme have been prepared with a phenomenon-based approach. This has sought flexibility and a proactive and rapid response to changes in the region. The Regional Government of Northern Ostrobothnia proposes to the Regional Council that it approve the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia's economic and operational plan for 2022-2024 and the budget for 2022-2024.…

The new provincial government met for the first time on Monday, 22 November 2021. Not all meeting items could be discussed, so the meeting will resume on Wednesday 24 November at 8.15 a.m. as a Teams meeting. We will announce the decisions taken at the meeting on Wednesday.

The secretariat of the North Ostrobothnia Regional Cooperation Group met on Tuesday, 16 November 2021. The meeting included briefings on the preparation of the EU's regional and structural policy for the 2021-2027 programming period, the CAP27 plan and current EAFRD issues.   The Regional Cooperation Group approves the regional funding plan for the EU Regional and Structural Policy Programme 2021-2027 and the funding priorities included therein. The allocation of funding is described by priority axis, specific objective and authority for the next two years. The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia and the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment of Northern Ostrobothnia are preparing the matter. The proposal for a decision will be discussed at the first meeting of the cooperation group of the new county in December. The new regional development legislation did not make any changes to competences, so the competences of the Regional Council of North Ostrobothnia and the ELY Centres of North Ostrobothnia in the roles of the intermediate authority correspond to the old period in the 2021-2027 programming period.  The regions of Eastern and Northern Finland have been asked to notify the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment of the delegation needs for the 2014-2020 programming period for the previously unallocated mandates. Can be shared with …

The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia met for its first meeting on 8 November 2021 and elected its own Presidium, the Provincial Government and the Audit Board for the current municipal election period. Mari-Leena Talvitie (Kok., Oulu) was elected as the chairperson of the provincial council. Jouni Jussinniemi (left, Pyhäjärvi) was appointed as the first vice-chair of the regional council, Jarmo Haapaniemi (sd., Kempele) as the second vice-chair and Tuomas Okkonen (ps., Liminka) as the third vice-chair. The Centre Party is still the largest party in the regional council elected by the Northern Ostrobothnia Municipal Assembly on 4 November, with the Centre Party holding the position of the largest party in 27 seats. The National Coalition Party and the Finns Party both have 12 seats in the council. The Left Alliance has nine seats, the Social Democrats eight, the Greens six and the Christian Democrats one. Jussi Ylitalo (Centre, Tyrnävä) was elected as the Chairman of the Provincial Government and Esa Aalto (Green, Oulu) as the Vice Chairman of the Provincial Government. the New Provincial Government…

The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia has granted the North Ostrobothnia Welfare Act 2021 recognition to the City of Pyhäjärvi for investing in the well-being economy. The promotion of well-being, health and safety has been strongly highlighted in the priorities of the municipal strategy in Pyhäjärvi.The City of Pyhäjärvi invests in well-being and investments are seen as strategic long-term investments that have already produced results. The city has developed Pyhäjärvi’s own model for promoting well-being and health, the Pyhäjärvi model.”Our city has a wide range of communities and volunteers who, through their own activity, have made cooperation visible. The wide-ranging activities of the Community Ombudsman have been an excellent link, which has enabled all sectors of the city to promote well-being together with the citizens", says Tuija Vanha-aho, Director of Welfare at Pyhäjärvi vs. the people behind the recognition.The model for promoting well-being and health in Pyhäjärvi has been taken up among the citizens…