20.05.2026
North Ostrobothnia Organisational Survey is ongoing
The current survey of organisations in Northern Ostrobothnia charts the current state of the associations' operations and their future development needs. The answers to the survey will be used to make the activities of associations visible, to plan training and support services, and to promote the operating conditions of associations in municipalities and the wellbeing services area, for example. The results are also used in national advocacy work. The survey is carried out nationwide in different counties, and a national summary of the results is also compiled. The results for Northern Ostrobothnia will be published in August 2026. The survey is aimed at all associations operating in the province (except religious and political associations). We ask that only one answer be given for each association. Individual responses will be treated with confidence and in accordance with data protection legislation. Information about individual associations or identifiable information is not published or shared with third parties. More information on data protection: The data protection page of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia It takes about 20 minutes to complete the survey. Please reply by 5 June 2026. Every answer is important! The questionnaire opens in Webropol via this link: https://link.webropolsurveys.com/S/050311448F194FDD Warm thanks for your time! The survey is carried out by the Organisational Advisory Board of Northern Ostrobothnia. Secretary Auli Suorsa tel. +358 50 386 8443 / auli.suorsa@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi
08.05.2026
The work of organizations carries the whole of society: Northern Ostrobothnia calls for strong cooperation and influence
The Advisory Board for Organisations in Northern Ostrobothnia is concerned about the weakening operating conditions of organisations and their impact on people's daily lives, well-being and municipal services. At the first meeting of its term of office, the Advisory Board outlined that the role and effectiveness of organisations must be strengthened with greater determination. Organisations are a key part of the region's vitality, inclusion and sense of community. “The role of organisations in people’s daily lives, well-being and community is now more important than ever before. That is why we need even closer cooperation between municipalities, the wellbeing services county and organisations. Strong advocacy work is needed to secure the work of organisations”. In this way, the priorities of the work of the Advisory Board were summarised by the newly elected chairperson, the Secretary General of the Association of Young Friends, Raija Näppä. Jussi Ylitalo, Regional Director of the Regional Sports Association of Northern Ostrobothnia, will act as the Deputy Chair of the Advisory Board. Influence work needs information to support it. It will be collected by the Advisory Board with an organisation survey for Northern Ostrobothnia, which will be published soon. Organisations in the region are expected to be active and have plenty of answers. Right now, it is worth participating in joint advocacy work. This year, the North Ostrobothnia Association Award is awarded for the eighth time. The theme of the year is Oulu 2026 in the spirit of the European Capital of Culture. The nomination of candidates will be opened at the beginning of September. The instructions will be found on the website of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia. The prize will be awarded in November at the Provincial Parliament. The North Ostrobothnia Organisational Advisory Board was elected for the first time in 2014. There is a wide representation of organisations from different fields and public organisations. The key task is to make the organisation's activities visible, to strengthen the opportunities for citizens and organisations to participate, to promote regional cooperation and to bring the organisations' views into the regional development work of the region. The advisory board is appointed by the provincial government. Additional information: Chairman Raija Näppä / raija.nappa@nuortenysavat.fi tel. +358 (0)40-1981441 Secretary Ilpo Tapaninen / ilpo.tapaninen@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi tel. +358 (0)50-301 7546 Website of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia / Council of Organisations - Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia [caption id="attachment_51285" align="alignleft" width="503"] The Council of Organisations of Northern Ostrobothnia met for the first meeting of its term of office 2026-2029 in the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia in Siikasali on 6 May 2026.[/caption]
18.08.2025
Blog: Pyhäjärvi leads the way in organisational cooperation
The Organisational Advisory Board of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia visited Pyhäjärvi on 14.8.2025 to get acquainted with the association activities and the cooperation between the city and the associations. In Pyhäjärvi, organisations are involved in building everyday well-being, strengthening security of supply and creating a sense of community – and the model of cooperation has also been recognised at the provincial level. There are as many as 126 registered associations operating in the city, whose activities extend to a wide range of areas of life. The Advisory Board of Associations has drawn up guidelines for municipalities on organizational work, the key principles of which include: - the appointment and resourcing of organizational contact persons, - the provision of free and accessible facilities for activities of general interest, - clear and co-developed assistance processes, - the participation of organisations in the development of welfare plans and services, and - a joint cooperation document that brings together the rules of the game. During the visit, it was found that Pyhäjärvi is already implementing these instructions in an exemplary manner. The city has appointed a community ombudsman, spaces for associations have been organised in innovative ways and forms of grants have been developed together. In addition, the organisations are involved in the city's activities throughout the organisation, and representatives are involved in numerous different committees and steering groups. In this way, the valuable experience of associations will be utilised in well-being work. The example of Pyhäjärvi shows that it is good for municipalities and associations to go hand in hand. When cooperation is based on trust and partnership, the result is a future-oriented, prosperous and vibrant community. 👉 Practical examples of association activities can be found in the blog of Helena Liimatainen, coordinator of association work, published on Pohde's website: Pyhäjärvi takes care of people and associations. In Oulu 18.8.2025 Auli Suorsa, Specialist Culture The provincial programme for Northern Ostrobothnia 2026-2029 will be prepared during the spring and autumn. The blogs written by experts from the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia cover the preparation process and themes related to the programme.
05.06.2025
The theme of the 2025 North Ostrobothnia Organizational Act is young people, the future and hope
This year, the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia is awarding the award for the seventh time. This time the theme is young people, the future and hope. “Young people are the future of the province. Taking care of their well-being should be everyone's concern. The Council for Organisational Affairs of Northern Ostrobothnia wanted to highlight the work done for young people as the topic of this year's organisation award and thus bring good practices to everyone's attention. We hope for plenty of proposals", says Esa Aunola, Chair of the Advisory Board for Organisations, from the North Ostrobothnia Village Association. Proposals are submitted using an online form, which will be published in the news section of the North Ostrobothnia Regional Council's website on 1 September 2025. Proposals for the winner of the prize can be submitted until 30 September 2025. When making a proposal, the following should be taken into account: An organizational act does not have to be an isolated act, but can be understood and interpreted more broadly. The selection focuses on the crossing of borders and effectiveness, as well as the role of volunteering in the association's activities. The applicant must be a registered local association. As an award, the association that won the organizational act of the year will receive 1,000 euros to support its operations. The decision on the organisation is made by the Regional Government of Northern Ostrobothnia. The prize will be awarded at the Regional Parliament of Northern Ostrobothnia in November. Information about the organisation award can be shared. The announcement can be found on the North Ostrobothnia Regional Council's Instagram and LinkedIn channels. Additional information: Ilpo Tapaninen, Strategy Manager, Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, tel. +358 50 301 7546. Organisational Advisory Board website: Organisational Advisory Board - Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia
