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…
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)
