Press releases

The meeting of the North Ostrobothnia Regional Cooperation Group was held on Thursday 28 September in Oulu. The Cooperation Group decided to support as many as 21 projects to be funded under the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 EU Regional and Structural Policy Programme. Current project presentations Higher education pathway to the extractive sector, KORKO /ESF+ (supra-regional) Promoting well-being at work in foster care / ESF+ Renewable and skilled Finland 2021-2027 EU regional and structural policy programme - preparation of the regional funding plan for 2024-2025 The regional cooperation group took note of the state of play of the preparation of the regional funding plan. The regional cooperation group's tasks include approving the regional funding plan for the EU's regional and structural policy programme and its funding priorities. Regional councils are responsible for preparing regional funding plans for the European Union's Regional and Structural Policy Programme. The unions make preparations in close cooperation with the ELY Centres in particular,…

The provincial government held its meeting in Oulu on Monday 25 September.  Jussi Rämet, the new regional director of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, took up his duties on 1 September 2023, and this regional government was his first in the new position. The Regional Government approved the draft budget of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia for 2024 and the draft economic and operational plan for 2024-26 as a basis for further preparation. The Provincial Government decided to request the opinions of municipalities and regions on the draft by 23 October 2023. Membership contributions have been increased by 3% compared to the 2023 contributions in accordance with the planning framework approved by the Provincial Government on 21 August 2023, section 103. The result for the financial year, after depreciation in the budget year, is EUR -219 617. EUR 219 617 will be credited from the Development Fund. The surplus/deficit for the financial year is EUR 0. The 2024 budget total has decreased for operating revenue by five…

The secretariat of the regional cooperation group held a meeting on Tuesday 19 September 2023 in Oulu. Open calls for applications The Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment for Northern Ostrobothnia is open for applications for ERDF infrastructure projects from 1 September to 31 October 2023. An amount of EUR 2 million is available. ESF project call (P-P, Lappi, Kainuu) open from 15 November 23 to 31 January 2024. Specific objectives 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 to be applied for. The next call for projects was then pre-planned from 15 August to 30 October 2024. In addition, a continuous search for JTF ESF-type activities is ongoing in 2024 as long as there are granting powers. The open calls for applications for 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 to be funded under the EU's Regional and Structural Policy Programme for a Sustainable Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027: Developing digital business knowledge and skills in the age of artificial intelligence (DigitAIli) /…

The Regional Councils are responsible for preparing the regional funding plans of the Regional and Structural Policy Programme of the European Union for the period 2024-2025. The unions make the preparations in cooperation with the ELY Centres and other regional partners. Financing plans will be drawn up by priority axis, specific objective and authority for the next two years. The financial programming concerns the regional component of the EU's regional and structural policy programme. In connection with the preparation of the financing tables, the situation regarding the commitment and reservation of the granting powers for JTF and ERDF funding in 2021-2023 in the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia and the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment will be examined with regard to the need for possible transfers of granting powers. North Ostrobothnia concessions under preparation 2024-2025: 2024: ERDF + State EUR 22.453 million, ESF + State EUR 11.605 million and JTF + State EUR 7.489…

The provincial government held its first meeting of the autumn season in Oulu on Monday, 21 August. In matters of lobbying, Provincial Director Markus Erkkilä presented the key issues of the Government Programme from the perspective of the Regional Council. An increase of up to 3% in municipal funding for 2024, the Epiphany Reception will not be organised The Economic and Action Plan 2024-2026 will be prepared in accordance with the guidelines approved by the Provincial Government in June. On Monday 21 August, the meeting discussed the size of municipal funding and possible economic adjustment measures for the 2024 budget. The largest increase in budgetary expenditure is in staff salaries, which will increase significantly in 2023 and 2024 as a result of municipal wage settlements. The provincial government decided that the amount of municipal funding would be no more than 3% for 2024. It was also decided not to organise a Epiphany reception in 2024. The provincial government decided on the financial framework for municipal funding after a vote. In connection with the discussion, Juha Pylväs presented, supported by Tiina Hanhikorpi,…

The meeting of the North Ostrobothnia Regional Cooperation Group was held on Thursday 22 June in Oulu. The Cooperation Group decided to support six projects to be funded under the EU's Regional and Structural Policy Programme for a Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027. The regional cooperation group also prepared a statement on increasing entrepreneurial activity. Current project presentations Rethinking North project. One of the tasks of the Regional Cooperation Group (MYR) is to guide the region's development and strategy. The proposal made to MYR by the secretariat of the regional cooperation group highlighted the activity of start-ups in the region and especially the number of start-ups by young people. Both are lower than in other European countries. In its statement, the provincial cooperation group encourages the following measures related to entrepreneurship to be taken into account: ‘The Northern Ostrobothnia Regional Cooperation Group calls on the regional development funding agencies to take into account in their decisions…

The provincial government held its last meeting in the spring at Maikkula Manor on Monday 5 June. On lobbying issues, Provincial Director Markus Erkkilä presented the state of play of the Government Programme negotiations. Jussi Rämet will start as regional director at the beginning of September Jussi Rämet, M.A., has announced that he will take up the position of regional director and start working on 1 September 2023. The provincial government confirmed the election of the provincial president. The post is subject to a six-month probationary period. The provincial government approved the provincial director's agreement. As a basis for the planning work, the Provincial Government approved the responses to the feedback prepared for the preparation phase of the energy and climate phase of Northern Ostrobothnia as principles for the planning of the proposal phase. In addition to the feedback-specific response, nine general responses were formulated, which cover the whole of the theme in question more broadly. Preparations will continue through a more detailed review of the feedback from the draft phase, as well as ongoing and already prepared studies, cooperation between authorities and labour negotiations. Also …

Editorial by Helsingin Sanomat, 22 May “The North is fast becoming the New South” is a good illustration of the current situation in the northern regions of Finland, Sweden and Norway. The eyes have now turned north for a number of reasons. NATO membership, the energy crisis and the growing importance of security of supply have increased the weight of northern Finland. At the same time, investments in renewable energy, i.e. the green transition, are injecting tens of billions of euros into Northern Finland. For example, it is estimated that around 65 % all wind power production planned for Finland will be in the four northern provinces.  Consumers and companies providing products and services to consumers, as well as the capital that finances them, are the primary drivers of the green transition. For this reason, investments in the green transition are important for the Finnish economy and for safeguarding our well-being. The green transition will …

On Monday 29 May 2023, the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia approved the financial statements and the report of the Board of Directors of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia for 2022. The result for the financial year was EUR 84,342.90. In terms of operations, the objectives set for 2022 were achieved. The focus of the year 2022 was, among other things, on improving the region's position in European and national transport policy, strengthening the importance of northern transport connections, implementing the regional programme, internationality and implementing the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 programme. During the year of operation, preparations for the regional plan for the energy and climate phase in Northern Ostrobothnia continued, and the studies of the TUULI project managed by the union are an important part of the preparation. The annual report and the financial statements can be accessed via this link. The evaluation report drawn up by the Audit Board states that the activities of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia were good.  The goals have been set correctly and they have been realistic in relation to the resources. The rest of … was raised.

Results of the fixed-term application period for the company development grant The fixed-term application period for the company development grant was open in the region of Lapland and Northern Ostrobothnia from 1 March to 28 April 2023. By the deadline, 18 applications were received in Northern Ostrobothnia, totalling EUR 1 388 331. JTF project applications received by the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia from 19 April to 12 May 2023 The JTF application period for the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 programme was opened on 19 April 2023. A total of 149 applications have been received by 12 May 2023. The total amount requested is approximately EUR 63.4 million. The Secretariat of the Provincial Cooperation Group supports 13 projects to be funded from the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 programme Gate to National Park, phase 1 / ERDF Responsible Authority: Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia Applicant: City of Kuusamo Total cost estimate: EUR 367 089 ERDF and State funding requested: EUR 183 544 The project supports the adaptation of livelihoods…