Sign up for the Northern Ostrobothnia Tourism Forum 2026!

27.08.2026
The 8th round of applications for sustainable urban development opens on 1 September 2026

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 must be submitted to the authority via the EURA2021 system. More information about applying from this link.

17.08.2026
Application period for ERDF funding open until 30 September 2026

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 emphasises the promotion of development targets in accordance in cooperation in cooperation with the regional programme for Northern Ostrobothnia 2026-2029 and the regional implementation plan for security of supply and comprehensive security. In addition, the assessment of applications under priority axis two focuses on their suitability as a project under the Northern Ostrobothnia Climate Roadmap 2021-2030. You can access the call for applications here: EURA 2021: The 12th call for applications of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region ERDF 4.5.-30.9.2026 The material of the call for applications organised in May can be found here: More information on the current call for applications is available from the contact persons of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region: Jarkko Kärkimaa, Development Specialist, tel. +358 50 520 6670 Aki Lappalainen, Development Specialist, tel. +358 40 502 1851 Heikki Laukkanen, Development Specialist, tel. +358 50 918 0035 Katarina Timisjärvi, Development Specialist, tel. +358 40 685 4025 Laura Kelhä, Development Manager, tel. +358 40 685 4016 (especially project presentations)

18.06.2026
On-the-spot verifications support the implementation of the project

In May, the Payment Officers of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region familiarised themselves in cooperation in cooperation 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 Officer at the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region. The Regional Assembly of Oulu Region has launched on-site verifications for 2026. This year, Payment Officers 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 Assembly of Oulu Region 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 Officer, and a regional development expert supervising the project is also present. The projects to be audited are selected on the basis of different criteria. A selection of different projects will be sought for verification: the main or partial implementers of group projects, single operator projects, projects of different sizes and types. In addition, as a rule, large projects in cooperation in cooperation with public support exceeding EUR 800 000 are always audited. The main objective of the visit is to ensure that the project has been implemented in accordance in cooperation in cooperation with the project plan and decision. The verification covers, among other things, the correctness of procurements and the costs incurred. For example, in the case of projects using unit costs for salaries, the basis for calculating the hourly rate is checked. – The on-the-spot visits supplement the checks carried out in connection in cooperation in cooperation with the payment application. At the same time, it is worth treating it as a guidance visit, where you can also ask questions to us," says Mari Väänänen, Payment Officer. The visit will also often discuss the results of the project and communication-related issues. In terms of communication, the most important are, for example, the EU symbols found in materials, materials and premises, as well as the logo of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region. They give visibility to the activities carried out in the projects. In addition, the verification reviews the performance indicators defined in the project plan and their implementation during the project. Traceability is essential from the point of view of the indicators in order to ensure that the result is actually produced. In addition to the indicators, often to the surprise of the project operator, the horizontal principles defined in the project plan are also reviewed. Continuity of development activities after the project is also discussed. It would be a good idea to prepare for the visit by compiling the project documents together and by considering, for example, the project's indicator data and horizontal principles in advance. In addition, for smooth verification, it would be most useful to have people who are genuinely implementing the project and who are able to answer the questions raised. – A helpful and open mind is also important. Verification…

17.06.2026
The implementation plan for the security of supply and overall safety in Northern Ostrobothnia has been updated

The implementation plan for the security of supply and comprehensive security of Northern Ostrobothnia for 2026-2027 has been updated and approved by the the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly 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 businesses 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 know-how is emphasised. The implementation plan emphasises more than before the importance of people and communities in building overall security. The security of everyday life, communality, participation and the ability of citizens to act in disruption situations are seen as key fstakeholders for the resilience of the region. Cooperation will also continue in the implementation phase, where information sharing, strengthening partnerships and developing operating models across sector boundaries will be key. International cooperation, especially at EU and Nordic level, is seen as an important part of the development of security of supply. The implementation plan is based on extensive cooperation in cooperation in cooperation with the stakeholders in the region and aims to turn the strategic guidelines into practical measures throughout the region. The full implementation plan can be found here.

news

Sign up for the Northern Ostrobothnia Tourism Forum 2026!

Programme

Related articles