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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…

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…