Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic 6th call closed in February- record number of applications and strong interest in Finland

11.03.2026

Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic 6th call closed in February – record number of applications and strong interest in Finland

The sixth call for applications for the Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) programme ended in February, and the call turned out to be surprisingly popular. The program received a total of 33 project applications, Those who compete like that EUR 10 million funding.

The record number of applications shows that cooperation between states in the northern and Arctic regions is growing strongly. Finnish stakeholders have also been actively involved in Interreg programmes more broadly, especially in universities and polytechnics, reflecting national expertise and strong regional development work.

Evaluation ongoing - decisions in June 2026

All applications are now transferred to the evaluation according to the selection criteria of the programme. Applications will be processed by the Programme Secretariat and each regional evaluation group in a participating country will make its own recommendations during the spring. Final financing decisions are taken by the Programme Monitoring Committee Early June in the Faroe Islands. The results will be communicated to the applicants shortly after the meeting.

The role and skills of Finnish stakeholders are visible

There were a total of 53 Finnish organisations in 33 project applications. The main applicants were Finns in 23 project applications. The other main applicants came from Ireland (5), Sweden (3), the Faroe Islands (1) and Greenland (1).

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Many of the NPA's priorities, such as strengthening innovation capacity, adapting to climate change and energy and resource solutions in the Arctic region, are well in line in cooperation with the strengths of Finnish research, regional development and business. In this application round, applications were received in particular for topics related to climate change adaptation, circular economy and energy efficiency. In addition, a large amount of funding was sought for capacity building in transnational cooperation between organisations.

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More information

Information on Interreg NPA cooperation in Finland:
https://www.lapinliitto.fi/rahoitus/pohjoinen-periferia-ja-arktis/

For more information on the NPA project evaluation process:
https://programmemanual.interreg-npa.eu/ProgrammeManual/3-3-eligibility-and-selection-criteria

Keywords:

county development and financing

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 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 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 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 Specialists of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region familiarised themselves 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 Specialists 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 Specialist, 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 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 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 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 business sector 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 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.

21.05.2026
Plenty of applications for funding for the implementation of programmes in Eastern and Northern Finland

The IP AKKE funding is called the national funding for supporting the sustainable growth and vitality of the regions, which, in accordance in cooperation with the Government's decision, is available for approximately 16 million for the implementation of programmes in Eastern and Northern Finland. The funding authority is the Regional Regional Assembly of South Karelia, which opened the project applications at the beginning of March 2026. The first selection period for the IP AKKE funding call ended on Friday 15 May 2026. In the first selection period, a total of 33 applications were submitted for a total amount of more than EUR 52 million. The number of applications exceeded expectations and indicates a strong interest in the implementation of the programmes. At the same time, the amount of aid applied for far exceeds the available funding of EUR 16 million. “The number of applications shows that the objectives of the programmes are considered very timely and necessary. It is particularly gratifying that cross-regional cooperation is already strongly visible in the project preparation phase," says Senior Adviser Hanna‑Maria Urjankangas from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. Urjankangas chairs the steering group guiding the IP AKKE funding package. Of the applications, 19 were directed to the region of Eastern Finland, seven to the region of Northern Finland and seven were cross-regional projects. The applications will now be submitted for evaluation. The aim is to carry out evaluations even before the summer holiday season, but the large number of applications may delay the processing schedule of applications. As the selection process progresses, the Regional Regional Assembly of South Karelia will inform about the possible continuation of the application process. If not all IP AKKE funding is used for project applications submitted in the first selection period, the next selection period will end on 30 October 2026. If, on the other hand, the entire funding is already committed to projects through funding decisions, the Regional Regional Assembly of South Karelia will suspend the application process. Further information: Development Manager Heli Gynther, Regional Regional Assembly of South Karelia, heli.gynther@ekarjala.fi, +358 40 485 5109

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Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic 6th call closed in February – record number of applications and strong interest in Finland

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