16.06.2026
Preliminary information: Organisational activity of the year is applied for 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 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 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 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 Regional Assemblys' operations and their future development needs. The answers to the survey will be used to make the activities of Regional Regional Assemblys visible, to plan training and support services, and to promote the operating conditions of Regional 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 Regional Assemblys operating in the region (except religious and political Regional Regional Assemblys). We ask that only one answer be given for each Regional Regional Assembly. Individual responses will be treated in cooperation with confidence and in accordance in cooperation with data protection legislation. Information about individual Regional Regional Assemblys or identifiable information is not published or shared 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
08.05.2026
The work of organizations carries the whole of society: Northern Ostrobothnia calls for strong cooperation and Influencing
The Advisory Board for Organisations in Northern Ostrobothnia is concerned about the weakening operating conditions of organisations and their impact on people's daily lives, well-being and municipal services. At the first meeting of its term of office, the Advisory Board outlined that the role and effectiveness of organisations must be strengthened in cooperation with greater determination. Organisations are a key part of the region's vitality, Participation and Inclusion and sense of community. “The role of organisations in people’s daily lives, well-being and community is now more important than ever before. That is why we need even closer cooperation between municipalities, the wellbeing services county and organisations. Strong advocacy work is needed to secure the work of organisations”. In this way, the priorities of the work of the Advisory Board were summarised by the newly elected chairperson, the Secretary General of the Regional Regional Assembly of Young Friends, Raija Näppä. Jussi Ylitalo, Regional Director of the Regional Sports Regional Regional Assembly of Northern Ostrobothnia, will act as the Deputy Chair of the Advisory Board. Influencing work needs information to support it. It will be collected by the Advisory Board in cooperation with an organisation survey for Northern Ostrobothnia, which will be published soon. Organisations in the region are expected to be active and have plenty of answers. Right now, it is worth participating in joint advocacy work. This year, the Northern Ostrobothnia Regional Regional Assembly Award is awarded for the eighth time. The theme of the year is Oulu 2026 in the spirit of the European Capital of Culture. The nomination of candidates will be opened at the beginning of September. The instructions will be found on the website of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region. The prize will be awarded in November at the regional Parliament. The Northern Ostrobothnia Organisational Advisory Board was elected for the first time in 2014. There is a wide representation of organisations from different fields and public organisations. The key task is to make the organisation's activities visible, to strengthen the opportunities for citizens and organisations to participate, to promote regional cooperation and to bring the organisations' views into the regional development work of the region. The advisory board is appointed by the the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly. Additional information: Chairman Raija Näppä / raija.nappa@nuortenysavat.fi tel. +358 (0)40-1981441 Secretary Ilpo Tapaninen / ilpo.tapaninen@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi tel. +358 (0)50-301 7546 Website of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region / Regional Assembly of Organisations - Regional Assembly of Oulu Region [caption id="attachment_51285" align="alignleft" width="503"] The Regional Assembly of Organisations of Northern Ostrobothnia met for the first meeting of its term of office 2026-2029 in the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region in Siikasali on 6 May 2026.[/caption]
18.08.2025
Blog: Pyhäjärvi leads the way in organisational cooperation
The Organisational Advisory Board of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region visited Pyhäjärvi on 14.8.2025 to get acquainted in cooperation with the Regional Regional Assembly activities and the cooperation between the city and the Regional Regional Assemblys. In Pyhäjärvi, organisations are involved in building everyday well-being, strengthening security of supply and creating a sense of community – and the model of cooperation has also been recognised at the regional level. There are as many as 126 registered Regional Regional Assemblys operating in the city, whose activities extend to a wide range of areas of life. The Advisory Board of Regional Regional Assemblys has drawn up guidelines for municipalities on organizational work, the key principles of which include: - the appointment and resourcing of organizational contact persons, - the provision of free and accessible facilities for activities of general interest, - clear and co-developed assistance processes, - the participation of organisations in the development of welfare plans and services, and - a joint cooperation document that brings together the rules of the game. During the visit, it was found that Pyhäjärvi is already implementing these instructions in an exemplary manner. The city has appointed a community ombudsman, spaces for Regional Regional Assemblys have been organised in innovative ways and forms of grants have been developed together. In addition, the organisations are involved in the city's activities throughout the organisation, and representatives are involved in numerous different committees and steering groups. In this way, the valuable experience of Regional Regional Assemblys will be utilised in well-being work. The example of Pyhäjärvi shows that it is good for municipalities and Regional Regional Assemblys to go hand in hand. When cooperation is based on trust and partnership, the result is a future-oriented, prosperous and vibrant community. 👉 Practical examples of Regional Regional Assembly activities can be found in the blog of Helena Liimatainen, coordinator of Regional Regional Assembly work, published on Pohde's website: Pyhäjärvi takes care of people and Regional Regional Assemblys. In Oulu 18.8.2025 Auli Suorsa, Specialist Culture The regional programme for Northern Ostrobothnia 2026-2029 will be prepared during the spring and autumn. The blogs written by experts from the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region cover the preparation process and themes related to the programme.
