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The ninth application period for ERDF projects for the 2021-2027 programming period of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region has closed on 11 April 2025. During the application period, 51 new applications were received by the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region. The applications sought funding from the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region totalling approximately EUR 11.293 million. The decisions on applications for positive follow-up will be received in June 2025. The next call for applications is scheduled to open in October 2025. The timetable for the application round and the specific objectives to be opened will be specified during the autumn.

The publication “Together for a Sustainable Europe”, carried out jointly by the Regional Assemblys of Eastern and Northern Finland, highlights the region’s strengths, development challenges and the importance of EU regional and structural policy funding for the region. The publication provides a comprehensive overview of developments in the region and how its competitiveness has been strengthened in the EU funding period 2014-2020 and recommendations on how to strengthen it in the next programming period. The publication shows that EU funding has been a key driver of regional development, but long-term support is also needed for future challenges. Few settlements, long distances and cold climates bring permanent structural challenges to the area. The publication presents the results of the recently completed previous programming period (2014-2020) from different regions. During that period, more than 6,200 development and investment projects were carried out in Eastern and Northern Finland, of which …

In the business sector of Northern Ostrobothnia, 2024 was challenging in many respects, but the wood products, furniture and ICT industries in particular saw positive development towards the end of the year. The tourism sector continued to grow steadily, while the construction and energy sectors continued to struggle in a difficult situation. While the outlook for 2025 largely depends on overall economic developments, the positive signals at the end of 2024 suggest that at least some sectors may be in a position to reverse for the better. Turnover and number of employees go in different directions Turnover in construction fell by 8.1 per cent year-on-year, but the weakest phase hit the early part of the year (-18.2 % in cooperation with Q1. Towards the end of the year, the fall flattened (-3,3 % Q4), which may give hope of stabilizing the situation. Personnel decreased throughout the year (-5.9 %), but…

The application rounds for the Interreg Aurora programme for 6th development projects and 4th small projects ended on 17 March 2025. A total of 49 applications were received, 42 for Interreg Aurora and seven for Sámi. Of these, 40 were development project applications and nine were small project applications. The main applicant from Northern Ostrobothnia was involved in seven development project applications, the most active being the University of Oulu, which was the main applicant in five applications. Other main applicants from Northern Ostrobothnia were Oulu University of Applied Sciences and the Building Cluster of Northern Finland. In addition, the University of Oulu was a partner in six applications and Oulu University of Applied Sciences in one application. Further information: niko.auer@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi

The Regional Assembly of Oulu Region, in cooperation in cooperation with the City of Oulu, is launching an ERDF project application for the implementation of the ecosystem agreement signed between the State and the City of Oulu. The content of the Oulu ecosystem agreement consists of the strategic focus areas and spearhead programmes of the Oulu Innovation Alliance for 2021-2027. The application round is open on 15 April. – 12 June 2025. Priority axis 1 is open for this call. Innovative Finland and its specific objectives 1.1: Improving research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies, 1.2: Exploiting the benefits of digitalisation for citizens, businesses and public administrations and 1.3: Improving the growth and competitiveness of SMEs and Axis 2: Carbon-neutral Finland and its specific objectives 2.1: Promoting energy efficiency measures and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and 2.3: Promoting the transition to a circular economy. In the project application process, the maximum amount of ERDF funding for sustainable urban development is 1,500,000 euros. ERDF applications will be …

In the delegation picture from left Outi Rouru, Kari Aalto, Johanna Bluemink, Ari Alatossava, Anna-Sofia Heikkinen, Arto Manninen, Anne Rännäli-Kontturi, Jussi Rämet, Claes Krüger and Markus Erkkilä. Picture Hanna Honkamäkilä. Preparations for the EU’s long-term budget for the years 2028-2034 are underway, and Oulu Region’s advocacy stakeholders want to ensure that the needs of Northern Finland are taken into account from the very beginning. The current €1,200 billion multiannual financial framework is valid until 2027. This week, Region Mayor of the Oulu Region Jussi Rämet, Oulu Mayor Ari Alatossava and University of Oulu Rector Arto Manninen visited Brussels for…

The Northern delegation in Brussels included Outi Rouru, Kari Aalto, Johanna Bluemink, Ari Alatossava, Anna-Sofia Heikkinen, Arto Manninen, Anne Rännäli-Kontturi, Jussi Rämet, Claes Krüger and Markus Erkkilä. Photo by Hanna Honkamäkilä. The preparation of the EU's long-term budget for 2028-2034 is underway, and the lobbyists in the region want to ensure that the needs of Northern Finland are taken into account at the very beginning of the preparation. The current Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) of EUR 1 200 billion is in place until 2027. Jussi Rämet, Regional Director, Ari Alatossava, Mayor of Oulu, and Arto Manninen, Rector of the University of Oulu, travelled to Brussels this week for a close advocacy round. The programme included meetings in cooperation with the European Commission's Directorate-General for Regional Development, the Directorate-General for Internal Market and Industry, Finnish MEPs and Commissioner Hanna Virkkunen…

The forest working group of the EU Office for Northern and Southern Finland was launched in the winter of 2021-2022 by building common forest principles towards the EU. The revised forest principles were adopted in February 2025 and they follow the national forest policy guidelines in cooperation with small nuances. They emphasise the need to maintain forest policy decision-making and guidance at Member State level, as well as the need to consult the regions in decision-making. The regions have valuable know-how and knowledge of forest management and of nature, which is important to use when developing initiatives. The objective of the Working Group on Forests is to share information on EU forest-related initiatives on behalf of the EU Office for Eastern and Northern Finland, to form a common position of the regions and to provide expertise in forest-related decision-making. The working group consists mainly of nine members, a specialist from the EU Office and a representative appointed by the regional directors of eight different regions. The rotating chair of the Working Group on Forests will be in 2025…

REGIOSTARS is an annual competition organised by DG REGIO since 2008. It has become a European label of excellence for EU-funded projects that reflect the impact and inclusiveness of regional development. In 2025, the projects will compete in five categories: 1) COMPETITIVE AND SMART EUROPE Boosting competitiveness, innovation and economic resilience 2) GREEN EUROPE The green transition as an enabler of regional development 3) JOINT EUROPE Enhancing interregional mobility and connectivity 4) SOCIAL AND INCLUDING EUROPE Towards a more inclusive Europe by leveraging regional talent 5) A NEAR CITIZEN EUROPE Promoting the sustainable development of all types of regions by addressing common challenges and seizing the greatest opportunities REGIOSTARS has inspired regions to implement a more effective EU regional policy. Requests are requested…