Press releases

The Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment of Northern Ostrobothnia has processed the JTF project applications from the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 programme related to employment and skills received between 1 December 2023 and 14 March 2024. It is a continuous search. A total of six JTF applications related to employment and skills were received, applying for support of approximately EUR 1.4 million. The ongoing JTF (ERDF) project application for restoration and reuse received one transnational application, in which a total of approximately EUR 398 000 was applied for. The next ERDF application round of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia is planned to open from 1 September 2024 to 30 November 2024. Only projects under Specific Objectives 1.1 and 2.3 are eligible. The implementation plan for the security of supply and comprehensive security of North Ostrobothnia 2024-2025 The implementation plan for the security of supply and comprehensive security of North Ostrobothnia 2024-2025 was approved at the meeting of the Provincial Government on 11 March 2024. The plan focuses on the development of RDI activities, the development of business and industry …

The provincial government met on Monday 11 March. At the beginning of the meeting, Project Manager Sanfrid Lindblom presented a preliminary report on the development of clean and stable energy production in the Pyhäjoki economic area. The press release and preliminary report can be found on the website of the municipality of Pyhäjoki. The financial statements of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia were approved by the Provincial Government, which for its part approved the report of the Board of Directors and the financial statements of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia for 2023. The result for the financial year was EUR -139,592.46. A total of EUR 184 837.56 was credited from the Development Fund, corresponding to the project co-payments, resulting in a deficit/surplus of EUR 45 245.10 for the financial year. The provincial council's deliberations will take place on 3 June. It is proposed to the Board of Governors that the surplus of EUR 45 245.10 for the financial year be entered in the surplus/deficit account of the balance sheet. For 2023, the operating costs of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia were budgeted at EUR 6 183 536 and the actual operating costs were EUR 6 274 519.33. The largest expenditure item was personnel costs 3 851 359.37…

At its meeting on 27 February 2024, the secretariat of the Provincial Cooperation Group discussed the application status of EU projects. Between 14 October 2023 and 16 February 2024, a total of 87 applications for ERDF funding under the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 programme were received for processing by the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia. A total of approximately EUR 20.1 million was applied for. The North Ostrobothnia ELY Centre's ESF+ project application round, which ended on 31 January 2024, received 52 applications targeting North Ostrobothnia. The applications applied for support totalling approximately EUR 13 million. In addition, eight cross-regional ESF+ applications for Northern Ostrobothnia were received by the ELY Centre, in which a total of approximately EUR 2.1 million was applied for support. Environment The ERDF project application process received two cross-regional applications targeting North Ostrobothnia, in which a total of approximately EUR 0.4 million in support was applied for. The Secretariat of the Provincial Cooperation Group supports 18 projects to be funded under the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 programme…

On Monday 12 February, Regional Director Jussi Rämet discussed the preparation and objectives of the preparation of the Northern and Eastern Programme, the planning of clean and stable energy production at Hanhikivi and the Act on the Use of Territories. The Regional Government decided to start drawing up a joint maritime spatial plan for the regions of the North Bothnian Sea, the Kvarken and Bothnian Seas and the exclusive economic zone bordering them. According to the objective of the Maritime Spatial Planning Co-ordination Group, the draft plan should be completed in 2026. The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia participates in the joint coordination of maritime spatial planning cooperation of the coastal regional councils, which will continue to be led by the Regional Council of Southwest Finland. Maritime spatial planning is part of the EU’s Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP), which aims at a smart, sustainable and inclusive blue economy. The aim is to promote the sea area…

Current project presentations The Carbon-wise circular economy project was presented by Project Manager Leena Niemi from Naturpolis Oy. The Solar Hydrogen unit as part of an extensive energy production, consumption and storage system group project was presented by researcher Samuli Urpelainen from the University of Oulu. Pasi Lounasmäki, Business Finance Review of the ELY Centre for Northern Ostrobothnia, presented the business subsidies granted in 2022-2023 in Northern Ostrobothnia. The regional cooperation group supports the following projects to be funded from the EU's Regional and Structural Policy Programme for a Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 Carbon-wise Circular Economy / JTF Applicant: Northeast Finland Development Company Naturpolis Oy Implementation period: From 1.1.2024 to 31.12.2025 Total cost estimate: 519 699 € ERDF and state funding requested: The aim of the project is to increase the utilization rate of side streams generated in Koillismaa and at the same time improve the region's self-sufficiency. The side streams of northeastern land consist of bio-based materials, but also synthetic materials or parts thereof such as …

Open calls for applications Open calls for applications under the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 programme can be found on the EURA 2021 website: Application notices Results of funding applications The company's development grant applications (JTF ) was submitted between 3 March and 31 December 2023 in Northern Ostrobothnia 109 copies. In these, the planned EU and state funding amounted to a total of EUR 48,529,600. The provinces of Northern Finland (North Ostrobothnia, Lapland and Kainuu) have approved the allocation of JTF granting powers to the JTF framework of Northern Finland. The cross-border granting authority totals EUR 1,293 million. €. The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia acts as an intermediate authority. Between 28 August and 31 December 2023, six project applications were received for a grant of EUR 1 352 728. The secretariat of the regional cooperation group supports the following projects to be funded Sustainable Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 from the EU's regional and structural policy programme Ruka2030 Naturally the best for business / JTF Applicant: Kuusamon…

The provincial government held its first meeting in 2024 on Monday 15 January. Regional Director Jussi Rämet raised the issue of the preparation of the agenda for advocacy in Northern Ostrobothnia in cooperation with the municipalities. The North Ostrobothnia Transport System Plan will be updated The Regional Council of North Ostrobothnia and the North Ostrobothnia Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment have prepared a North Ostrobothnia Transport System Plan in 2019. The regional transport system work has highlighted the need to update the current plan to meet the requirements set by the changed world situation. In addition, the region's logistical needs are presented in a new light in terms of security of supply in the current situation. Studies have been carried out on the investment potential of industry in the northern region, which have an impact on the strategic objectives of developing the transport system. The aim is to update the North Ostrobothnia transport system plan to reflect the changed operating environment and transport policy. The update takes into account the impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in traffic flows in the province, the stopping of traffic to Russia, the impact of climate change…

For many, the project ATSOL-project Uula - new expertise in the fields of the green transition-project Sustainable growth in Northern Ostrobothnia - monitoring system for the green transition The regional cooperation group supports 18 projects for funding Renewable and skilled Finland 2021-2027 from the EU's regional and structural policy programme Utajärvi terminal in support of processing and regional vitality (UtaTe) / JTF Responsible authority: Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia Applicant: Municipality of Utajärvi Total cost estimate: 680 050 € Aid requested: The project supports the bioeconomy and circular economy concepts of SMEs by developing a wood, bioeconomy and circular economy terminal. The terminal to be built in Hietaselä's industrial district master plan area near Mustikkakangas in Utajärvi will enable the development of the circular economy and the utilisation of side streams in the area. Fast Track - Developing Future Excellence Ecosystems through Invest In / JTF Group Project Responsible Authority:…

The county government held its last meeting of the year on Tuesday, December 19. Jarmo Paloniemi, Director-Rector of the Joint Municipal Authority for Education OSAO, had been invited as a guest of the Provincial Government to start a discussion on the current situation in vocational education and training. Regional Director Jussi Rämet raised the issue of the PÄRM funding decision received by the municipality of Pyhänä in advocacy matters. Jukkatalot Oy's bankruptcy and the significantly worsened employment situation as a result meet the criteria for a local situation of sudden structural change. In order to deal with the PÄRM situation, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has allocated EUR 125 000 to the Regional Council of North Ostrobothnia to be used for projects under the Act on the Development of Territorial Areas and the Financing of Regional and Structural Policy Projects in the European Union. The objective of the measures implemented with the funding is to promote new businesses and businesses. The Provincial Government took note of the report by Provincial Director Rämet on the additional deduction and sequencing of the central government share of basic municipal services and the real estate tax on wind power…

Open calls for applications Open calls for applications under the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 programme can be found on the EURA 2021 website: Applications for JTF projects received by the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia and the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia has processed JTF project applications received between 1 September and 30 November 2023 under the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 programme. 23 applications were received for approximately EUR 5.2 million. The Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment of Northern Ostrobothnia has processed JTF project applications related to employment and skills under the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 programme, which were received between 1 September and 30 November 2023. Fifteen applications of the JTF's ESF type were received for North Ostrobothnia, seven of which are of a regional nature. The total amount of aid applied for is approximately EUR 4.1 million, of which approximately EUR 2.2 million is for cross-regional projects. Applications received by JTF for the North Ostrobothnia ELY Centre, processing date 30.11.2023 Project…