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
28.08.2026
Sign up for the Northern Ostrobothnia Tourism Forum 2026!
Wednesday 14.10.2026 from 9.00 to 15.00 Venue: Hotel Lasaretti, Aurora Hall, Kasarmintie 13 B, Oulu Registration for the Northern Ostrobothnia Tourism Forum 2026 The most important tourism seminar in Northern Ostrobothnia will be held again in October - sign up! The event brings together tourism companies, developers and decision-makers to hear and discuss current topics and future opportunities in the field. This year's themes are the permanent impact of the title year on the region, the importance of events for tourism, and the role of artificial intelligence and responsibility in the sustainable and competitive development of tourism. Programme 8.00 Morning coffee and registration 9.00 Introduction to the event 9.05 Opening remarks Kristiina Hietasaari, Senior Director, Visit Finland 9.30 Keynote - Heritage of the European Capital of Culture Year Suvi Innilä, Turku 800 Project Director, City of Turku Innilä has served as Project Manager and Programme Director for the European Capital of Culture year 2011 and as Programme Manager for the centenary of Finland's independence. 9.50 Commentary and discussion 10.30 Break 10.50 Development of events in Kuusamo Niina Kukka, event manager, Ruka-Kuusamo Tourism Regional Assembly 11.05 Building a successful event, the significance of international tourism and the year of the Capital of Culture Oulu, Syöte and Kalajoki 11.45 Lunch, self-sufficient 13.00 Investments and accessibility development accelerated by the Year of Culture Oulu Chamber of Commerce and BusinessOulu 13.30 Artificial intelligence is changing tourism: What is worth doing now? Ville Niemijärvi, Artificial Intelligence Specialist, Senior Consultant, Flowhouse 14.00 Comment: YT Anderson, Visit Northern Finland 14.10 The situation and future of tourism funding Saija Tikkanen, Specialist in International Affairs, Regional Assembly of Oulu Region Pasi Loukasmäki, Head of Finance Unit, Vitality Centre 14.30 Oulu2026 End of the Capital of Culture year highlights Samu Forsblom, Programme Director, Oulu Cultural Foundation 14.45 Visit Northern Finland Current and closing words Y.T. Anderson, CEO, Visit Northern Finland Oy 15.00 Changes to the programme are possible. We will complete the speeches during the autumn. The event will be held at Hotel Lasaret in Oulu, but you can also participate remotely via stream. For the participants of the event, an accommodation quota is reserved from the hotel for a special price156 €/night/2hh. Reservations for rooms from the quota for 13-15 October must be made by 14 September at the latest using the reservation code "42402 Business Oulu 13.-15.10.2026". Reservations directly to the hotel by phone or e-mail: tel. +358 20 757 4701, lasaretti@lasaretti.com. Due to the limited capacity of the facilities, student groups are welcomed to follow the event via stream. Welcome to network, inspire and develop tourism together! The event is organized by BusinessOulu, Oulu Chamber of Commerce, Visit Northern Finland Oy and Northern Ostrobothnia…
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…
