Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Search in posts
Search in pages

Front page › news › When the voice of the authorities is subdued, the economic power of the Community is quantified.

news

09.11.2026

When the voice of the authorities is subdued, the economic power of the Community is quantified.

They strengthen people's inclusion, well-being and safety. They provide encounters, peer support and professional assistance, as well as opportunities to influence one's own life and society. Especially now that the population is ageing, young people's belief in the future is at an all-time low and regional disparities are growing, the importance of local communities is emphasised.

However, the operating conditions of the organisations are further weakened.

In the results of the provincial survey conducted in September, financial uncertainty became the main concern of organisations. Changes in volunteering and the lack of suitable premises also make it difficult to do so. The pressure is further exacerbated by national cuts in discretionary government transfers. Uncertainty and simultaneous changes in the operating environment complicate the long-term work of organisations and reduce the opportunities for people to participate.

The Council of Associations of Northern Ostrobothnia points out that participation is not only an individual's experience and an addition to well-being. It is also a fundamental element of the security of communities and society as a whole. When a person has a community to belong to and the opportunity to influence, society's ability to face change and cope with crises is strengthened. If inclusion is eroded, we lose important social security at the same time.

Organizations the full potential must be harnessed to develop people's participation and the vitality of the region. They know people's everyday and local needs. Based on the organisation survey, the organisations want to cooperate with municipalities and the wellbeing services county as equal partners. Cooperation needs more active dialogue, better flow of information and opportunities to participate

All this requires predictable funding, adequate framework conditions and cooperation where organisations have a real say.

The NGO Advisory Board of North Ostrobothnia emphasises that taking care of the operating conditions of organisations is an investment in people's participation and the overall safety of society. The voice of organisations must be heard and heard in the preparation and making of decisions.

Raija Nppä
Chairman of the Association Advisory Board of North Ostrobothnia
General Secretary, Youth Friends Association

Anna Katajala
Member of the Association Advisory Board of North Ostrobothnia
Executive Director, North Ostrobothnia Social and Health Security Association

The opinion paper was published in Kaleva on 6 November 2026

Keywords:

Advisory Board for Organisations, organisations

Related articles

13.10.2026
20 proposals for organisations in Northern Ostrobothnia 2026

The deadline for submitting proposals for the Northern Ostrobothnia Association Award has expired. A total of 20 proposals from all parts of the province were received by the deadline. The decision on the recipient of the prize is made by the Regional Government of Northern Ostrobothnia. The prize will be awarded at the Regional Parliament of Northern Ostrobothnia on 3 November 2026. The prize is EUR 1,000. The theme of the 2026 NGO campaign is 'Cultural Action without Thresholds'. The prize will be awarded for the eighth time this year. Additional information: Strategy Manager Ilpo Tapaninen, Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, tel. +358 50 301 7546.

01.09.2026
Propose an organisation act for 2026

    The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia requests proposals for the organisation work of Northern Ostrobothnia in 2026. Proposals can be submitted between 1 and 30 September 2026. This year's theme is Unlimited Culture. An organizational act does not have to be an isolated act; it can be understood and interpreted more broadly. In the selection of the organizational act of the year, the emphasis is on the crossing of borders and impact, as well as the role of volunteering in the association's operations. The applicant must be a registered local association. The association that won the organizational act of the year will receive 1,000 euros to support its activities. The decision on the organisation of the year is made by the Regional Government of Northern Ostrobothnia. The proposals for the organizational work of the year will be made by 30.9.2026 at 15.00 using the electronic Webropol form. The organisation act of the year 2026 will be announced at the Regional Parliament of Northern Ostrobothnia on 3 November 2026. The prize is now awarded for the eighth time. The message can be shared freely with your organisation and stakeholders! Additional information: Ilpo Tapaninen, Strategy Manager, Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, tel. +358 50 301 7546.

16.06.2026
Preliminary information: Organisational activity of the year is applied for in cooperation in cooperation with a cultural theme

The NGO Advisory Board of Northern Ostrobothnia has made the theme of the 2026 Organisational Act Award a non-threshold cultural act. The theme aims to highlight Regional Assemblys that make culture accessible, inclusive and accessible. Proposals can be submitted from 1 to 30 September 2026. The application period is not yet open, but it is already a good time to consider which Regional Assembly or operating model deserves recognition. More detailed instructions and an electronic form for nominating candidates will be published on the Northern Ostrobothnia website at the beginning of September. The winning Regional Assembly will receive 1,000 euros to support its activities. The organisation act of the year will be announced at the Regional Parliament of Northern Ostrobothnia on 3 November 2026. Additional information: Development Manager Ilpo Tapaninen (tel. +358 50 301 7546 or e-mail ilpo.tapaninen@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi).

20.05.2026
Northern Ostrobothnia Organisational Survey is ongoing

The current survey of organisations in Northern Ostrobothnia charts the current state of the Regional Assemblys' operations and their future development needs. The answers to the survey will be used to make the activities of Regional Assemblys visible, to plan training and support services, and to promote the operating conditions of Regional Assemblys in municipalities and the wellbeing services area, for example. The results are also used in national advocacy work. The survey is carried out nationwide in different counties, and a national summary of the results is also compiled. The results for Northern Ostrobothnia will be published in August 2026. The survey is aimed at all Regional Assemblys operating in the region (except religious and political Regional Assemblys). We ask that only one answer be given for each Regional Assembly. Individual responses will be treated in cooperation in cooperation with confidence and in accordance in cooperation in cooperation with data protection legislation. Information about individual Regional Assemblys or identifiable information is not published or shared in cooperation in cooperation with third parties.  More information on data protection: The data protection page of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region It takes about 20 minutes to complete the survey. Please reply by 5 June 2026. Every answer is important! The questionnaire opens in Webropol via this link:  https://link.webropolsurveys.com/S/050311448F194FDD Warm thanks for your time! The survey is carried out by the NGO Advisory Board of Northern Ostrobothnia. Secretary Auli Suorsa tel. +358 50 386 8443 / auli.suorsa@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi  

Oulu 2026 European Capital of Culture

EastNorth Finland

Europe Direct Northern Ostrobothnia

Regional Assembly of Oulu Region | Regional Assembly of Oulu region
Coat of arms of Northern Ostrobothnia