Press releases

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…

Current project presentations Work & Stay - Whole Life in Koillismaa project was presented by Employment Specialist Esa Loukusa. The State-of-the-art H2 research infrastructure project was presented by University Researcher Samuli Urpelainen from the University of Oulu. KASVA - Sustainable growth for micro and small enterprises through regional cooperation between RDI actors and business services -project was presented by Research Director Anna-Mari Simunaniemi from Kerttu Saalasti Institute. The Regional Financing Plan for the EU Regional and Structural Policy Programme 2024-2025 was approved by the Regional Cooperation Group, which approved the Regional Financing Plan and Priorities for the Renewing and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 EU Regional and Structural Policy Programme. The regional cooperation group decided to transfer EUR 2 million of the JTF business support authorisation of the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment of Northern Ostrobothnia to the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia. Regional councils are responsible for preparing regional funding plans for the Regional and Structural Policy Programme of the European Union in cooperation with the Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment and other regional partners…

The regional government held a meeting in Oulu on Wednesday 18 October. On lobbying issues, Regional Director Jussi Rämet told about the Northern Programme, the Transport12 plan and the meeting of the Minister of Local Government and the Region on 5 October 2023. The municipalities of Northern Ostrobothnia, Pohde and the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia are preparing a cooperation agreement There is a need for the development of strategic cooperation, cooperation structures and operating methods between municipalities, the wellbeing services region and the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia. The North Ostrobothnia Welfare Area Pohde has drafted a cooperation agreement based on the model of the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities' Welfare Area and the municipalities' strategic cooperation agreement. The parties to the agreement would be the North Ostrobothnia Welfare Region, the municipalities of the region and the Regional Council of North Ostrobothnia. The key objective of the strategic cooperation agreement is to help the wellbeing services region and municipalities as well as the Regional Council to direct their own and joint activities. The strategic cooperation between the county's municipalities, the Welfare Region and the Regional Council will continue to be discussed by the chairmen of the councils and boards of the municipalities of Northern Ostrobothnia…

The secretary of the regional cooperation group held a Teams meeting on Tuesday 17 October. The Regional Councils are responsible for preparing regional funding plans in cooperation with the Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres), in particular, but also with other regional partners. The financial plans describe the regional allocation of Finnish regional and structural policy funds by priority axis, specific objective and authority for the next two years. In addition, the plan provides an estimate of municipal funding and other public funding by priority axis, specific objectives and authorities. The financial plans cover ERDF, ESF+ and JTF funding. In connection with the preparation of the financing tables, the situation regarding the commitment and reservation of the 2021-2023 granting powers for JTF and ERDF funding in the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia and the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment will also be examined.  Open call for applications Renewing and competent Finland 2021-2027…

The Summit of the Provinces of Eastern and Northern Finland was held in Helsinki on 5-6 October 2023. These counties, which make up most of Finland, expect Orpo's government to take consistent and effective development measures throughout the country. This is the only way to ensure the safety and security of supply objectives set out in the Government Programme. The key measures are those of the Northern Programme and the Eastern Finland Vision, the adequate resourcing of which must be secured. Funding for the self-development of the counties (AKKE) is a necessary part of the development funding of the counties and must be included in the state budget in the future. The meeting was attended by Minister of Economic Affairs Wille Rydman (PS), Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah (KD), Minister of Local Government and Regions Anna-Kaisa Ikonen (Kok) and Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen (Kok). MEP Elsi Katainen (Centre) opened EU regional policy priorities and topical issues in the East and …