Press releases

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…

At its meeting on Monday 11 December, the Regional Council approved the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia's Economic and Operational Plan 2024-2026 and the Budget 2024. The total budget for operating revenue is EUR 5 883 020. Operating costs amount to EUR 6 093 107, a decrease of 1,5 % compared to the previous year's budget. Membership contributions have been increased by 3% compared to 2023. However, the increased municipal membership fee income is not sufficient to cover operating expenses, so the balance of the profit and loss account requires a change in the development fund, from which EUR 219 617 is recognised as revenue. The surplus/deficit for the financial year is EUR 0. The Regional Council decided to transfer EUR 300 000 from the balance sheet surplus/deficit account to the Development Fund of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia to support the implementation of projects of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia…

Current project presentations The OYSTER Health and Life Science incubator project was presented by Network director Minna Komu from BusinessOulu. The NIHAK GREEN DEAL project was presented by Kimmo Niskanen, Regional Development Manager at Nivala-Haapajärvi Region NIHAK ry. By written procedure, the North Ostrobothnia Regional Cooperation Group decided by written procedure to support the project KASVA - Sustainable growth for micro and small enterprises through regional cooperation between RDI actors and business services for funding from the EU's regional and structural policy programme. The regional cooperation group supports the following projects to be funded from the EU's Regional and Structural Policy Programme for Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027: Kuusamo Bio- and Circular Economy Park Energy Tree Terminal / JTF Applicant: City of Kuusamo Implementation period: From 9 May 2023 to 30 June 2025 Total cost estimate: 2 532 261 € ERDF and State funding requested: 1 772 582…

The municipality of Vaala receives the North Ostrobothnia Act of Wellbeing 2023 recognition for its actions to promote the well-being, health and safety of its residents. The municipality of Vaala has shown forerunnership by investing decisively and persistently in preventive work, allocating scarce human resources to creating the conditions for the well-being and physical activity of its residents. The municipality has invested in improving and developing sports conditions. The strategic planning of well-being is of high quality in the municipality, and organisational-municipal cooperation has been developed in an exemplary way. - The Municipality of Vaala is very pleased to receive the recognition and thanks for the well-prepared and done well-being work in a small municipality. It is also an important message for decision-makers, as it is not always easy to see the effects of promoting well-being when making a decision. Vaala's decision-makers have been brave and confident that their decisions will bring well-being. Positive effects…

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: The Secretariat of the Regional Cooperation Group supports the following projects for funding Sustainable Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 from the EU Regional and Structural Policy Programme Kuusamo Bio- and Circular Economy Park Energy Tree Terminal Applicant: City of Kuusamo Implementation period: From 9 May 2023 to 30 June 2025 Total cost estimate: 2 532 261 € ERDF and State funding requested: The aim of the project is to speed up investments in the bio- and circular economy park, support the development of the area and increase the attractiveness of the area. With regard to the implementation of investments, a number of actors are targeted for the region. The project will implement a 6-hectare energy wood terminal. Highway to ICT Applicant: Oulu University of Applied Sciences Ltd Lapland University of Applied Sciences Ltd and Centria University of Applied Sciences Ltd…

The provincial government held a hybrid meeting on Tuesday 14 November in Oulu. The agenda included, among other things, an economic and action plan, the planning principles for the proposal phase of the energy and climate phase regional plan for Northern Ostrobothnia, a review of the state of play of the electricity transmission grid, and an update of the transport and logistics strategy for Northern Finland. The Regional Government proposes to the Regional Council that it approve the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia's Economic and Operational Plan 2024-2026 and budget 2024. The 2024 budget foresees a reduction in operating costs compared to the previous year’s budget. It is estimated that the number of personnel will decrease during the planning period, which will contribute to the rebalancing of the economy. However, municipal salary solutions have an impact on the increase in personnel costs of personnel covered by municipal financing. Membership contributions have been increased by 3% compared to 2023. However, the increased municipal membership fee income is not sufficient to cover operating expenses, so the balance of the profit and loss account…

Oulun Rantasaunaseura ry received the 2023 North Ostrobothnia Organisational Award for the volunteer and cultural activities of Kesän Sauna, which strengthens Finnish and local sauna culture.  The award-winning association receives 1,000 euros to support its operations.   The cultural activities of the 2023 sauna have focused around the sauna theme and deepened the visitor's experiences. Summer Sauna has created a diverse community in Oulu. The activities are boundary-breaking and in an exemplary way the theme of the year is realized in surprising contexts of culture. Oulun Rantasaunaseura has shown unique cooperation and volunteer spirit. The workshops are attended by people of many ages from Oulu and also international volunteers. Summer Sauna is an Oulu-based phenomenon that naturally connects visitors of different ages, locals and international visitors. In 2023, there have been more than 14,000 sauna bathers and…