Press releases

On 17 January 2022, the provincial government held its first hybrid meeting of the year in Oulu, Finland, where six applicants were interviewed for the position of Planning Director. The provincial government decided to invite the following applicants for an interview: M.Sc. (Econ.) Kari Aalto, M.Sc. (Econ.) Markus Erkkilä, M.Sc. (Econ.) Janna Kumpula, architect, M.Sc. (Econ.) Anu Syrjäpalo, M.Sc. (Econ.) Ilpo Tapaninen and architect Kai Tolonen. The Regional Financing Plan 2021-2022 of the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 programme for Northern Ostrobothnia has a total allocation of EUR 355.4 million for the 2021-2027 programming period. The breakdown is as follows: European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) EUR 152,7 million, European Social Fund (ESF+) EUR 84,2 million and Just Transition Fund (JTF) EUR 119,4 million. The allocation of ERDF and ESF+ funding is described for the next two years on the basis of a regional angular number.…

The application period for the position of Planning Director of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia ended on 5 January 2022 at 12 noon. There are 11 candidates for this post. Applicants: Aalto Kari, Oulu Erkkilä Markus, Puuppola Kumpula Janna, Oulu Kuukasjärvi Mari, Oulu Malinen Rauno, Oulu Possakka Tiia, Oulu Suopanki Ensio, Oulu Syrjäpalo Anu, Raahe Tapaninen Ilpo, Oulu Tolonen Kai, Oulu Väisänen What, Muhos For further information, please contact Regional Director Pauli Harju, tel. +358 400 389 152    

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 …