news

Sustainable growth, regenerative investments, tourism and security are emphasised in cross-regional projects that advance towards funding programmes in Eastern and Northern Finland. The implementation of the Eastern and Northern Finland programmes is progressing through ten large-scale projects. The projects will strengthen the regions' vitality, investment capacity, tourism, food chain, overall safety, as well as research, testing and piloting activities. The available IP AKKE allocation of just under EUR 16 million will be fully allocated to projects that have been successful in the evaluation of the first selection period. 33 applications were submitted for the first selection period for a total amount of more than EUR 52 million. The project steering group assessed the applications and processed them on 18 August 2026, selecting ten projects with which the Association of South Karelia will continue the financing negotiations. As a result of the selections, the appropriation will be allocated to the projects of the first selection period, and the search will thus be …

Recent economic data do not come as a big surprise. The turnover of industries continues to grow steadily, but the number of employees has not started to increase. In several clusters, such as ICT, the number of employees is on a downward trend. Only in the metal cluster has the labour force increased moderately. Recruitment is increasingly affected by general uncertainty and technological developments. However, the growth in turnover in the industries is so strong that employment is likely to improve. The big question is when and where is it going to happen? However, excessive credit for the long-term positive impact of major projects on labour demand may be unrealistic. The situation of the ICT cluster, which is important for Oulu, is challenging. Revenue is increasing, but personnel is in a relatively strong decline. The ICT cluster has been characterized by strong monthly turnover fluctuations, in April the growth from the previous year was 12.1 per cent,…

    The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia requests proposals for the organisation work of Northern Ostrobothnia in 2026. Proposals can be submitted between 1 and 30 September 2026. This year's theme is Unlimited Culture. An organizational act does not have to be an isolated act; it can be understood and interpreted more broadly. In the selection of the organizational act of the year, the emphasis is on the crossing of borders and impact, as well as the role of volunteering in the association's operations. The applicant must be a registered local association. The association that won the organizational act of the year will receive 1,000 euros to support its activities. The decision on the organisation of the year is made by the Regional Government of Northern Ostrobothnia. The proposals for the organizational work of the year will be made by 30.9.2026 at 15.00 using the electronic Webropol form. The organisation act of the year 2026 will be announced at the Regional Parliament of Northern Ostrobothnia on 3 November 2026. The prize is now awarded for the eighth time. The message can be shared freely in your own organization…

The Regional Assembly of Oulu Region is applying for project funding from the EU's Regional and Structural Policy Programme Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 for specific objective 2.1 Promoting energy efficiency measures and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In particular, the call aims at municipality-based projects that develop and pilot local solutions and operating models to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In projects, a municipality, a community of municipalities or a region made up of several municipalities can act as a development and experimental environment for the green transition and bring together companies, residents, research and education organisations and other stakeholders in the region. The call encourages the development and implementation of new practices, technologies and solutions that improve energy efficiency or slow down climate change, as well as the increase of related know-how in municipal organisations. Projects can strengthen municipalities' know-how and capacity to act in promoting the green transition, for example…

Wednesday 14.10.2026 from 9.00 to 15.00 Venue: Hotel Lasaretti, Aurora Hall, Kasarmintie 13 B, Oulu Registration for the Northern Ostrobothnia Tourism Forum 2026 The most important tourism seminar in Northern Ostrobothnia will be held again in October - sign up! The event brings together tourism companies, developers and decision-makers to hear and discuss current topics and future opportunities in the field. This year's themes are the permanent impact of the title year on the region, the importance of events for tourism, and the role of artificial intelligence and responsibility in the sustainable and competitive development of tourism. Programme 8.00 Morning coffee and registration 9.00 Introduction to the event 9.05 Opening remarks Kristiina Hietasaari, Senior Director, Visit Finland 9.30 Keynote - Heritage of the European Capital of Culture Year Suvi Innilä, Turku 800 Project Director, City of Turku Innilä has served as Project Manager for the European Capital of Culture year 2011 and…

The Regional Assembly of Oulu Region, in cooperation in cooperation in cooperation with the City of Oulu, is launching an ERDF project application for the implementation of the ecosystem agreement between the State and the City of Oulu. The content of the Oulu ecosystem agreement consists of the strategic focus areas and spearhead programmes of the Oulu Innovation Alliance for 2021-2027. The application round is open 1.9. – 9.10.2026. Priority axis 1 is open for this call. Innovative Finland and its specific objectives 1.1: Improving research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies, 1.2: Exploiting the benefits of digitalisation for citizens, businesses and public administrations and 1.3: Improving the growth and competitiveness of SMEs and Axis 2: Carbon-neutral Finland and its specific objectives 2.1: Promoting energy efficiency measures and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and 2.3: Promoting the transition to a circular economy. In the project application process, the maximum amount of ERDF funding for sustainable urban development is 800,000 euros. ERDF applications will be …

The Executive Committee of the Regional Assembly of Northern Ostrobothnia met today for a development meeting to review the work of the Executive Committee, cooperation and the operating culture of the organisation. The meeting assessed current practices and considered how the work of the management team can better support the achievement of the organisation's objectives and the success of the personnel in their work. The discussions focused on the role of the management team in the management of the organisation, the preparation of decision-making, the flow of information and cooperation between different responsibilities. In addition, the future development needs of competence and education were considered, as well as the capabilities that the changing business environment requires from both management and the entire organisation. The day offered an opportunity to pause for a moment in the midst of everyday hustle and bustle for a joint conversation. The aim of the discussions was to form a common view on the development of the management team and to strengthen the prerequisites for the fulfilment of the basic task and strategic goals of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region also in the future. Board of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region:…

The ERDF call for applications for the 2021-2027 programming period of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region is open until 30 September 2026! In this call for applications, ERDF applications will be accepted in accordance in cooperation in cooperation with the following specific objectives: 1.1. Improving research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies 2.3. Promoting the transition to a circular economy 3.1. Developing regional and local accessibility A total of EUR 2 820 000 is planned to be used to finance incoming projects. The maximum contribution requested (ERDF+Member State) is 70 % development project and up to 70 % the total cost of the investment project. Before preparing your application, you should read more about the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 programme document and the contents of the above-mentioned specific objectives. Projects financed under Specific Objective 1.1 must also be in line in cooperation in cooperation with the Northern Ostrobothnia Smart Specialisation Strategy 2021-2025. The Regional Assembly of Oulu Region's ERDF project selection focuses on the regional programme for Northern Ostrobothnia 2026-2029, as well as the region's security of supply and …

The regions of Eastern and Northern Finland consider that the Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) should be maintained and strengthened as a key development and investment model for the European Union's 2028-2034 programming period. According to the counties, S3 is a place-based development method that strengthens Europe's competitiveness and combines EU, national and regional objectives in cooperation in cooperation with the regions' own strengths. The model supports the transition from individual projects towards strategic development portfolios, innovation ecosystems and long-term investments. Based on the experiences of Eastern and Northern Finland, S3 has strengthened the regions' ability to identify new growth opportunities, build innovation ecosystems and renew the economic structure. The regions have significant strengths in areas such as clean energy, bioeconomy, critical raw materials, digitalisation and industrial transformation. Regions underline that Europe's competitiveness, security, resilience and sustainable growth…

At a meeting in the Faroe Islands in early June 2026, the Monitoring Committee of the Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) programme approved 15 new development projects. The application round showed a record level of interest, in cooperation in cooperation with a total of 33 project proposals to be evaluated. Finland is strongly involved in all projects Finnish stakeholders have an exceptionally strong role in funded projects. All 15 projects involve at least one Finnish operator, in cooperation in cooperation with a total of 19 Finnish organisations receiving funding. For Finland, all eight regions of the programme area are represented in these completed projects. The Finnish organisation is the lead implementer of 10 projects. Centria University of Applied Sciences is leading two projects in Central Ostrobothnia, focusing on the management of consumption peaks in electricity networks in sparsely populated areas and the reuse of blades in wind turbines. The University of Oulu is involved in up to four projects, one of which is the main implementer.…