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The call for applications for regional ERDF projects will open on 2 June 2025. The application round is open from 2 June to 12 December 2025. The call will fund measures under Priority Axis 2 of the European European European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) (ERDF) (ERDF) of the EU's Regional and Structural Policy Programme 2021-2027 that implement the Smart Specialisation Strategy for Eastern and Northern Finland. Please note that not all specific objectives under Axis 2 can be applied for in every Regional Assembly of Eastern and Northern Finland. In this call for applications, for example, the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region will only fund group projects under the specific objective 2.3 ‘Promoting the transition to a circular economy’ of priority axis 2 ‘Carbon-neutral Finland’ for a maximum amount of EUR 300.000. A total of EUR 1,700,000 can be applied for in different regions. The call for applications describes in more detail the specific objectives open in the regions and the amount of funding per region. The aim of the call is to promote the realisation of climate objectives as a trans-regional …

in cooperation with this declaration, the Advisory Board of Eastern and Northern Finland emphasises the importance of cohesion policy for regional development and wishes to bring forward perspectives on the Commission's proposal for a mid-term review of regional and structural policy. In addition, we raise issues related to the specificities of the EU's eastern border, which are relevant for the stability and competitiveness of the Union as a whole. Few settlements still need to be taken into account in EU policies The key objective of cohesion policy is to bridge development gaps between Member States and their regions. The achievement of this objective will strengthen the stability and vitality of the Union as a whole. Cohesion policy can also support the strategic competitiveness of regions and common objectives such as the clean transition, the bio- and circular economy and overall security. The Advisory Board considers it very important that the special characteristics of Eastern and Northern Finland - such as long distances and sparsely populated …

Northern Ostrobothnia is ranked in the Finnish Entrepreneurs' Fresh Vitality Barometer in a good mid-range position nationwide. It was published on Tuesday 14 May at a seminar of municipal management in Kuopio. According to the Barometer, the strengths of the region are the availability of skilled labour, network cooperation and functional telecommunications connections. The region sees the potential for the region to become one of the key areas of vitality – provided that there is stronger cooperation between different stakeholders. To support this, Marjo Kolehmainen, CEO of Northern Ostrobothnia Entrepreneurs, and Jussi Rämet, Regional Director, propose to make a regional vitality pledge. The aim is to strengthen the common will in the development of the region, increasing competitiveness and influencing work. Representatives of the public sector, companies and educational decision-making bodies are widely welcomed. “To succeed, we need a strong coal-fired approach, genuine interaction and partnership for the development of the county. The Pledge for Vitality offers a good way to do this", says Region Mayor…

The meeting of the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs on Wednesday 14 May featured Finland's pre-Influencing on the EU's future financial framework, a meeting of the European Political Community, the prevention of illegal immigration and a proposal for new sanctions against Russia. The Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs supplemented the positions on ex ante Influencing on the EU's next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The Commission is expected to publish its proposal in July. The Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland's support for simplifying the structure of the financial framework, increasing its flexibility, strengthening its performance-based approach and, at the very least, for conditionality of the current kind. The Ministerial Committee clarified sectoral positions in areas such as agricultural policy, competitiveness, cohesion policy, support for Ukraine, defence and overall security, transport financing and border management. Pre-emptively influencing the Commission's financial framework proposal is one of the government's EU policy priorities in 2025. Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlines its pre-emptive Influencing on the future financial framework - Valtioneuvosto

“In Northern Ostrobothnia, we are pleased that the Northern Finland programme has now started in concrete terms. Funding has been allocated to the programme compiled from the proposals of Northern stakeholders during the Government's mid-term review. In addition, strategically important cross-border international projects will be launched during the government term. It is clear that further efforts are still needed to develop growth, security and accessibility in the North," says Regional Director Jussi Rämet from the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region. One of the most important openings proposed by the Government is the EUR 20 million planning funding for the Rail Nordica project, which aims to extend the European gauge from Sweden to Northern Finland. The project supports not only security of supply and military mobility, but also the economy of the region. In the first phase, which starts already this year, a connection is planned from the Haaparanta-Tornio border crossing point to Kemi. Government wants to speed up 6G expertise…

IISOPPI - Innovative ideas for adapting to the changing climate in Northern Ostrobothnia -project has started. The Climate Change Adaptation Plan will be completed in 2027.  The project will develop a climate change adaptation plan for Northern Ostrobothnia, which will extend into the 2050s. The plan, drawn up in cooperation between the Finnish Environment Institute and the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region, includes an assessment of regional climate risks and opportunities, as well as scenarios describing the development of the climate and society. -Furthermore, socially just adaptation measures will be identified. The work is carried out in extensive interaction in cooperation with various stakeholders and municipal stakeholders are involved in the co-creation of the plan. The plan takes into account local specificities and priorities, utilising the work done by the municipalities in the area in relation to adaptation to climate change. Northern Ostrobothnia Climate Road Map 2021-2030 - Towards carbon-neutral Northern Ostrobothnia identifies adaptation to climate change as a key theme. The IISOPPI project implements and refines this work. IISOPPI Project 1st Steering Group meeting 12.5.2025…

Europe Day is celebrated on 9 May. In Oulu, in celebration of Europe Day, Pop-up Bistro Á sector France will open in cooperation in cooperation with the Northern Ostrobothnia Info Point and OSAO educational restaurant Hiliku from 9 to 10 May 2025. Pop-up Bistro Á sector France is open for two days from 9 to 10 May and is run by students of the Hiliku teaching restaurant. The bistro's catering is prepared by them and the students take care of the practical arrangements of the bistro. Students' Pop-up Bistro Á sector France celebrates Europe and Finland as part of it. This is reflected in the pop-up bistro offering; There are French delicacies on the list. You can stop by for coffee, drinks or a little sweet or savory. Bistro also offers the possibility to enjoy a 3-course menu. The international atmosphere is created by serving bistro delicacies straight to the tables! Pop-up…

The Commission has launched four calls for proposals under the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL). The funding aims at accelerating the uptake of AI, developing digital skills, expanding the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) network and tackling disinformation. All four calls will close on 2 September 2025. Both digital skills and EDIH network development calls support the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), which aims to accelerate the development and production of critical technologies in the European Union. This is the first round of funding under the Digital Europe Programme Work Programme 2025-2027. The 2025-2027 work programme contributes to the EU’s digital transition objectives as set out in the 2030 Digital Compass and the Digital Decade Action Plan. The work programme responds to current challenges such as technological sovereignty, strengthening democracy and cybersecurity. Further information: Commission Bulletin The Digital…

The EU legislative process can be Influencingd in a number of ways at different stages: during the drafting of legislation, during the examination of legislative proposals or in connection in cooperation with the evaluation of the functioning of existing legislation. The Commission has paid particular attention to better law-making. One of the key objectives of its Better Regulation agenda is to empower citizens and other stakeholders to participate in EU law-making and decision-making. The Commission has opened consultations. The consultations will collect input for future planned initiatives. European Strategy for Research and Technology Infrastructures (open until 22 May and provisional publication date of the initiative Q4/2025) Cities – new policy agenda (open until 26 May and provisional publication date of the initiative Q4/2025) Act Accelerating the decarbonisation of industry – accelerating decarbonisation (open until 9 July and provisional publication date of the initiative Q4/2025) Tiina Rajala 040-6854033 Development Director,…

The current long-term EU budget, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), runs until the end of 2027. In the course of 2025, the Commission will present comprehensive proposals for the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the next generation of funding programmes. As announced in President von der Leyen’s Political Guidelines, the Commission is working towards a more targeted, simple and effective EU budget that reflects the EU’s strategic priorities. It aims to be an ‘Investment Commission’. This consultation covers EU funds implemented in cooperation in cooperation with Member States and regions in the following areas: cohesion policy, common agricultural policy, fisheries and maritime policy, home affairs and trans-European networks. The themes are grouped to support the preparatory work and this grouping does not determine the structure of future programmes. This consultation is one part…