25.03.2026
Provincial government appoints members to key working groups
At its meeting on 16 March 2026, the Government of Northern Ostrobothnia appointed members to three key working groups: the Advisory Board for Organisations, the Cooperation Group for Education and Research and the Advisory Board for Climate Work. The appointments concern the current term of office.
The Advisory Board for Organisations promotes inclusion and cooperation
The task of the Advisory Board is to strengthen the role of organisations in the development of the region and to increase their visibility. The Advisory Board promotes the inclusion of citizens and organisations, cooperates with the wellbeing services county Pohde and develops cooperation between organisations and the public sector.
A large number of representatives of organisations, municipalities and expert organisations were appointed to the Advisory Board, including representatives of the North Ostrobothnia Village Association, the Finnish Red Cross Oulu District, the City of Oulu and the Regional Council of North Ostrobothnia.
This is the fourth term of office of the Advisory Board. The Presidium shall be elected from within the Advisory Board.
Cooperation group for education and research brings together experts from the region
The cooperation group for education and research functions as a regional cooperation forum, the aim of which is to form an overall picture of education and research in the region and to outline competence development.
The group's tasks also include strengthening cooperation between education and research organisations, utilising foresight data, developing the regional competence ecosystem and advocacy for the county's interests.
The Cooperation Group shall be chaired by: Markus Erkkilä and as a secretary Mikko Väisänen Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia. The group includes representatives from the University of Oulu, Oulu University of Applied Sciences, Centria, secondary schools, business life and labour market organisations.
The Climate Work Advisory Board steers the county's climate goals
The task of the Climate Work Advisory Board is to guide the preparation and monitoring of regional climate and energy targets. It promotes the realisation of strategic objectives and strengthens cooperation between different actors.
The provincial government appointed the chairperson Lauri Nikulan and Vice-President Esa Aalto 's. The Advisory Board includes a wide range of experts from research, education, business, organisations and the public sector. Participants include representatives of the University of Oulu, Natural Resources Institute Finland, Metsähallitus, SYKE and municipalities and cities. The advisory board is now in its third term.
Composition of working groups
Advisory Board for Organisations
Esa Aunola from North Ostrobothnia Village Association, Jussi Ylitalo from North Ostrobothnia Sports Association, Virpi Kilpijärvi from Koillismaa Leader Association, Jari Miettunen from North Ostrobothnia Youth Association, Raija Näppä from Youth Friends Association, Anna Katajala from North Ostrobothnia Social and Health Security Association, Mirja Kaartinen from Oulu 4H Association, Risto Örling from Central Union of Pensioners Oulu District Association, Pertti Kukkonen from Auta Lasta Association, Piritta Pietilä-Litendahl from Oulu Deaconess Institute Foundation sr, Eija Tuomaala from Lions District 107-I ry, Miia Seppänen from the Finnish Red Cross Oulu District, Pasi Laukka from the City of Oulu, Eeva Vaskilampi from the City of Pyhäjärvi, Ilpo Tapaninen from the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, Auli Suorsa from the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, Kukka Kukkonen from the Regional Council of Northern Finland and Helena Liimatainen from the Northern Ostrobothnia Welfare Area Pohte.
Cooperation group on education and research
Matti Väänänen from JEDU, Markku Oikarinen from the Bourgeois and Commercial School of Raahe, Hannele Keränen from Oulu University of Applied Sciences, Marianne Hirn from Centria, Matti Latva-aho from the University of Oulu, Eine Kela from the Northern Finland Vitality Centre, Mari Viirelä from the Oulu Chamber of Commerce, Santeri Palviainen from Akava, Marjo Kolehmainen from the North Ostrobothnia Entrepreneurs, Jarmo Paloniemi from OSAO, Tanja Vähäoja from STTK, Seija Norup Vocational College from Luovi, Reija Paananen from Diaconia University of Applied Sciences, Mervi Mäkihonka from Ylivieska-Kalajoki-Nivala from the Employment Area, Teea Oja from the Raahe Employment Area, Päivi Jämsä from the Oulu Employment Area, Markus Erkki from the North Ostrobothia Regional Council, Ari Näpänkangas from the North Ostrobothnia Regional Council and Mikko Väisänen from the North Ostrobothnia Regional Council.
Advisory Board for Climate Work
Chair Lauri Nikula from the Provincial Government, Vice-Chair Esa Aalto from the Provincial Government, Teemu Aho from Centria University of Applied Sciences, (name to be announced) Jokilaaksot Educational Consortium from JEDU, Anna Kotamäki from Central Ostrobothnia Entrepreneurs, Sanna Matikainen from OSAO, Anne Tolvanen from the Natural Resources Institute Finland, Jari Ahlholm from MTK, Heidi Siira from Metsähallitus, Jere Viinamäki from the Youth Council of North Ostrobothnia, Anna Tyni from Oulu University of Applied Sciences, Esa Pellikainen from Oulu Chamber of Commerce, Eva Pongracz from the University of Oulu, Timo Lehtiniemi from the Northern Finland Vitality Centre, Jussi Rämet from the Regional Council of North Ostrobothnia, Markus Erkkilä from the Regional Council of North Ostrobothnia, Ritva Isomäki from the Regional Council of North Ostrobothnia, Marika Sohlo from ProAgria Oulu, Esko Saari from the Northern Ostrobothnia district of the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation, Maria Isolahti from the Finnish Forest Centre, Teemu Ulvi from the Finnish Environment Institute, Matias Ojalehto from the municipality of Reisjärvi, Maarit Talvitie from the city of Oulu, Kaija Muraja from the municipality of Kempele and Jari Hentilä from Naturpolis Oy.
