The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, 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 Council of North 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 operating 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 Council of Northern Ostrobothnia also in the future. Board of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia:…
The ERDF call for applications for the 2021-2027 programming period of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia is open until 30 September 2026! In this call for applications, ERDF applications will be accepted in accordance 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 with the Northern Ostrobothnia Smart Specialisation Strategy 2021-2025. The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia's ERDF project selection focuses on the provincial programme for Northern Ostrobothnia 2026-2029, as well as the region's security of supply and …
The Provinces 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 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, with a total of 33 project proposals to be evaluated. Finland is strongly involved in all projects Finnish actors have an exceptionally strong role in funded projects. All 15 projects involve at least one Finnish operator, 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.…
In May, the payment experts of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia familiarised themselves with various projects during on-the-spot verifications. On the left is Miehonsuo research environment and researcher Maarit Liimatainen (LUKE). On the right, Leo Aho, Project Manager at the Brahe School of Technology and Services, and Mari Väänänen, Payment Specialist at the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia. The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia has launched on-site verifications for 2026. This year, payment experts will visit around 20 different ERDF or JTF project sites in the region. Control extends to 15% of all ERDF and JTF projects co-financed by the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia for the 2021-2027 programming period. In addition, verifications may be carried out for projects that have received national funding. The verification is carried out under the guidance of a payment expert, and a regional development expert supervising the project is also present. The projects to be audited are selected on the basis of different criteria. The selection … is intended to be verified
The implementation plan for the security of supply and comprehensive security of North Ostrobothnia for 2026-2027 has been updated and approved by the Provincial Government on 8 June 2026. The implementation plan brings together key measures to strengthen the region's resilience to crises and ensure the functioning of society in a changing security environment. The update shifts the focus from preparedness towards resilience – the ability to act even in long-term disruptions. The development is guided by three key areas: RDI activities, the security of supply of business life and the safety of people's everyday lives. The plan sets out concrete actions for different sectors. For example, the reliability of the energy system will be strengthened by developing decentralised energy production, energy storage and reserve power solutions. In food and water supply, the availability of water is secured and reserve power is ensured to ensure the continuity of operations. Logistics invests in alternative transport routes and the reliability of critical infrastructure, such as ports and the road network. In addition, the importance of local production, shortening supply chains and strengthening skills…
The Government has appointed the Arts and Culture Council for the term 2026-2029. Samu Forsblom, Programme Director, was elected President of the Council. The Government of Northern Ostrobothnia presented Forsblom as a member of the Council at its meeting on 23 February 2026. The election as President is good news for the whole of Northern Ostrobothnia. It will contribute to strengthening the visibility of northern cultural know-how at the national level at a time when the region is implementing the European Capital of Culture year. The Arts and Culture Council operates in connection with the new Arts and Culture Agency. Its tasks include acting as an expert body in artistic and cultural policy matters, appointing an expert bank for art and culture, and outlining the principles of peer review. The Council's term of office will start on 1 July 2026. Auli Suorsa, Senior Specialist, Culture, tel. +358 50 386 8443 auli.suorsa@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi
The Interreg Aurora Selection Committee decided on the projects to be financed in Oulu on 3-4 June 2026. There were 66 applications for the program. This is almost twice as much as usual. The reason for this is that the closed call was the last one where all the specific objectives were open. For the first time, the selection committee made changes to the Secretariat's proposal. It was decided to approve the ArcResc Wildfire project and to reject the application Borders to Opportunities. 26 applications received a positive funding decision. Two of the approved projects are the main Northern Ostrobothnian partner, ProAgria Oulu and the City of Oulu. Additional information: Programme Coordinator Niko Auer, niko.auer@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi, tel. +358 40 685 4012
The Organisational Advisory Board of Northern Ostrobothnia has made the theme of the 2026 Organisational Act Award a non-threshold cultural act. The theme aims to highlight associations that make culture accessible, inclusive and accessible. Proposals can be submitted from 1 to 30 September 2026. The application period is not yet open, but it is already a good time to consider which association or operating model deserves recognition. More detailed instructions and an electronic form for nominating candidates will be published on the Northern Ostrobothnia website at the beginning of September. The winning association will receive 1,000 euros to support its activities. The organisation act of the year will be announced at the Regional Parliament of Northern Ostrobothnia on 3 November 2026. Additional information: Strategy Manager Ilpo Tapaninen (tel. +358 50 301 7546 or e-mail ilpo.tapaninen@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi).
