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09.09.2026
Ingredients for growth visible – labour demand has not revived

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, but in May came down by 5.9 per cent. The impact of AI can be seen in the demand for the cluster's workforce, at least indirectly. Companies closely monitor the development and deployment of AI and anticipate the need for workforce in relation to it. The trump card of the future is 6G mobile technology, the developer of which Oulu plays a key role globally. Construction has been active for several semesters. From 2025, net sales increased by 2.3 per cent and the number of employees decreased by the same amount. Residential construction is still quiet, but some new projects have started. The growth in net sales has come from the construction of industry, tourism and the public sector. Oulu hotel projects and later data centers will significantly increase construction. In the case of data centres, the key issue is how much local companies have access to it, and what is the capacity of the area's earthworks The electricity and energy cluster and the metal cluster are growing strongly. The growth of both from 2025 is in the order of 10%. In the metal cluster, the number of employees has also increased. Net sales growth has been more moderate in wholesale and retail trade and tourism, where the number of personnel has been decreasing. The year-on-year change in the wood and furniture industry was as much as 13.8 per cent and there was also an increase in the number of personnel. In all clusters, seasonality is high, especially in construction. In digital services, Finland's service sector is less developed than in the peer countries, which is also visible in Northern Ostrobothnia. The use of services is still difficult for many in our culture. Jobs in trade and services are important, especially for young people. The growth of many industries also depends on the development of digital services,…

28.08.2026
"Municipalities implementing the green transition" The 13th round of Structural Fund projects opens on 1 September 2026

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. The projects can strengthen municipalities' competence and capacity to act in promoting the green transition, for example by developing operating models for energy efficiency and emissions assessment, sustainable public procurement practices, and by strengthening municipalities' climate and energy efficiency work. The aim is to improve, for example, the capacity of municipalities to utilise comparable emission data and to assess the emission reduction potential, costs and benefits of different measures to support decision-making. Concrete development and piloting measures and a clear description of the results to be achieved are requested from the projects. Projects can also carry out various studies to support municipalities’ capacity to contribute to the green transition. More information about applying for funding from this link

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)

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