21.11.2025
the City of Nivala the Northern Ostrobothnia Welfare Act 2025
The Regional Assembly of Oulu Region has awarded the Northern Ostrobothnia Act of Wellbeing 2025 to the City of Nivala for its long-term work promoting communality and mental resilience to crises. The award was announced on Friday 21 November 2025 at the Northern Ostrobothnia Welfare Forum in Ii under the theme "Change Now - Well-being communities and mental resilience".
Recognition at the ceremony was received by the Mayor Päivi Karikumpu, Director of Welfare Timo Alatalo the Welfare Coordinator Sea Minor fabric.
“We have committed staff and a strong collaborative network. This recognition encourages the continuation of the same work, together in cooperation with the residents", said Päivi Karikumpu.
The City of Active Villages
Nivala was selected as the recipient of the recognition due to its diverse and strategic work to strengthen the sense of community. The main reasons for choosing Nivala were the active role of the villages, long-term project activities and multidisciplinary cooperation.
Nivala's strategy, which promotes itself as a town of villages, is built on participation, safe everyday life and strong village communities. The city has also deliberately invested in village schools and the vitality of villages, contrary to national centralisation.
Päivi Karikumpu, Mayor of Nivala, considered the recognition an important recognition for the entire city community.
“This feels good and really nice. We've worked very hard for well-being, and it's great to see that.‘, Karikumpu rejoiced.
Timo Alatalo, Director of Welfare, emphasized that Nivala's own well-being industry has enabled the development of operations in cooperation with determination.
“Our industry and the resources our decision-makers have dedicated to it have been key. in cooperation without the City’s support, it would be difficult to implement the project measures.”
Projects create a sense of community
Several projects carried out in recent years, such as the sub-areas of the Visible project, the mapping of villages and the Kylävara project, have produced visible results and strengthened cooperation between villages. Karikumpu points out that in Nivala, Regional Assemblys are remarkably active stakeholders. Close cooperation between the city and the Regional Assemblys has carried and produced results.
‘It unites and brings together a sense of community.’
On the other hand, the implementation of the projects has needed support from the city. According to Timo Alatalo and Päivi Karikumpu, the city's role in enabling projects has been significant. During the start-up phase of various Leader+-funded projects, the City has provided temporary loans to Regional Assemblys.
At Nivala, communality is also reflected in everyday encounters and decision-making. There is a village Regional Assembly in the city and village reindeer are organized in the villages. Nivala also has a multi-channel cooperation network.
“Interinstitutional efforts have been made to take account of the representation of cross-sections. The aim is for the villages to be able to share their news and needs on a regular basis‘, Timo Alatalo and Päivi Karikumpu tell.
Background to the Wellbeing Forum
The Regional Assembly of Oulu Region organises an annual well-being forum in cooperation with the aim of disseminating good practices, increasing cooperation and partnership, recognising successful practices and strengthening expertise.
The Northern Ostrobothnia Welfare Forum, held in Ii on Friday 21 November 2025, was held for the 18th time. The organisers are the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region in cooperation in cooperation with the Northern Ostrobothnia Village Regional Assembly and the municipality of Ii, which received the well-being award last year.
During the day, we explored the role of communities in strengthening well-being and resilience to crises, heard expert speeches and presented good practices from across the region. The forum culminated in the award of the well-being act.
In 2026, the Welfare Forum will be held in Nivala.
Additional information:
Ilpo Tapaninen, Development Manager, Regional Assembly of Oulu Region, tel. +358 50 301 7546
Mayor Päivi Karikumpu, City of Nivala, tel. +358 40 3447 200
Timo Alatalo, Director of Welfare, City of Nivala, tel. +358 40 3447323
