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Funding is being sought for AKKE projects supporting the regenerative activities and capabilities of municipalities, which are targeted at supporting the municipalities' regional RDI activities. Projects funded under this call must meet at least one of the following criteria: – the project will support R&D&I activities of SMEs, thereby improving their innovation capacity – the project will strengthen the innovation ecosystem in the region – the project will expand the range of participants in R&D&I activities. The application period is between 3 March 2025 and 31 May 2025 at 15.00. A maximum of EUR 376 476 is available to fund projects that have arrived in the application round. More information on the AKKE page. Keywords: AKKE, development funding, financing

The Interreg Aurora Selection Committee decided on the projects to be financed in Kajaani from 21 to 22 January 2025. A total of 36 applications were received, including 33 for the Interreg Aurora programme and three for Sámi Area programme. The Interreg Aurora programme received 18 applications and Sámi Area programme received two applications. In addition, it was decided to accept one application received by Interreg Aurora later, after further clarification, by written procedure. Of the approved projects, the University of Oulu is the main partner in four projects and Oulu University of Applied Sciences in three. Further information: Interreg Aurora Programme Coordinator Niko Auer, niko.auer(at)pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi

The European Commission has granted Regional Innovation Valleys (RIV) status to Eastern and Northern Finland. The region was given the status of promoting the circular economy and raising its profile in supporting the digital transition. Regional Innovation Valleys are part of the implementation of the New Innovation Strategy for Europe and aim to strengthen regional innovation ecosystems, support the EU’s sustainable and digital transition and reduce disparities in innovation development across regions. The map published by the Commission gives access to regions in cooperation with RIV status and their characteristics, such as ‘Strong innovator +’ and ‘Transition region’. The map can be used, for example, in the construction of consortia for future RIV funding applications and in the creation of contacts. The RIV contact person for the IP area is Eerikki Vainio, Senior Specialist. Map of the RIV area Additional information: Eerikki Vainio, Senior Specialist, EU Office for Eastern and Northern Finland, tel.…

At the end of the Summit of the regions of Eastern and Northern Finland, held in Tahko in Northern Savonia on 16-17 January 2025, a joint declaration of intent was announced. In the declaration of intent, the Regional Assemblys of Eastern and Northern Finland expressed their desire to intensify and strengthen their cooperation at EU level. The strengthening of cooperation is particularly visible in joint ex-ante EU Influencing and communication. The aim is to strengthen the region's voice in Finland and in Brussels, and to strengthen the vitality and competitiveness of Eastern and Northern Finland in cooperation with the support of EU funding. The cooperation between Eastern and Northern Finland will be led by the Regional Assembly of Pohjois-Savo, which will hold the Presidency in 2025.  The cooperation between the four northern regions will be led by the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region in 2025.

Regional development discussions between the regions and the Government will take place in March 2025 . The regional development situation and development picture, which was prepared in late 2024, serves as a starting point for regional development discussions between the state and the regions. On Wednesday 15 January 2025, the Regional Director presented the situational picture of Northern Ostrobothnia to the representatives of the Government. The themes were population development, unemployment, RDI expenditure, energy transition and accessibility. The situation and development picture is a key part of the dialogue between the regions and the Government in regional development. The aim is that the situation and development picture work will bring added value to all parties involved in the preparation and enable the regional synergies of actions in different administrative sectors to be examined. The situation and development picture is based on both quantitative statistical data and qualitative expert analyses, and it was developed together in cooperation with experts from the Regional Assembly of Finland and the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment of Northern Ostrobothnia.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has set up fourteen project teams to coordinate current issues and initiatives. The aim of the project groups is to ensure the preparation and political guidance of the initiatives from planning to implementation. Each group shall be chaired by a member of the Commission, who shall be responsible for carrying out the mandate of the group. The project teams cover a wide range of areas, including clean industry, artificial intelligence, foreign affairs, economic security, defence union and affordable housing. The groups are designed to broadly reflect the responsibilities of the College of Commissioners and reflect von der Leyen’s political guidelines. Finnish Commissioner Henna Virkkunen leads a working group focusing on artificial intelligence. Project groups are initially planned for a one-year period, but their term of office may be extended or renewed as necessary.

The statutory evaluation of the regional programmes for Northern Finland was completed in December 2024. The external evaluation carried out by Owal Group Oy examined the realisation and impact of the objectives of four regional programmes - Northern Ostrobothnia, Kainuu, Central Ostrobothnia and Lapland - in 2022-2025 and formed development recommendations on the priorities of the future regional programme. The evaluation also includes development proposals for the regional programmes to be drawn up for 2026-2029. The proposals include recommendations common to all four regions as well as regional recommendations. Representatives of Regional Assemblys, parties involved in the implementation of regional programmes and key stakeholders were extensively consulted. Views were collected through expert and stakeholder interviews, an electronic questionnaire for a wider group of stakeholders, and joint and regional workshops where the findings of the evaluation were worked on and developed further. The evaluation was carried out by the Owal Group in autumn 2024. Evaluation results and development proposals The regional programme works…

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The Advisory Board of Eastern and Northern Finland met on Thursday 19 December 2024 in Helsinki. The meeting resulted in a joint statement on the future financing model of the European Union. The common intention of the regions of Eastern and Northern Finland is that the principle of area-based development will be safeguarded also after 2028. The European Commission is preparing to present a proposal for a new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) in spring 2025. The Commission's aim is to move from the current funding package of more than 500 funding programmes to a model of 27 funding programmes. That is, one plan per Member State, including all funds allocated nationally. There would also be one Interreg programme for the whole of Europe. The aim of the amendments is administrative simplification. The Advisory Board of Eastern and Northern Finland welcomes the fact that the EU is developing and reforming funding models. On the other hand, the Advisory Board does not consider the development of the implementation of cohesion policy… to be good.

The Northern Ostrobothnia Regional Youth Regional Assembly convened for the Nominating Meeting of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region on Wednesday, 11 December 2024. The meeting was chaired by Liina Mäkelä, Chair of the Regional Youth Regional Assembly, from Oulainen. At its meeting, the Regional Youth Regional Assembly focused on the ways and forms of influencing. Alma Jokinen from the Baltic Sea Region Youth Forum gave a presentation on the Baltic Sea Region Youth Forum and international youth engagement. Jokinen introduced organisations that open up places of international Influencing for young people. In particular, he emphasised the need for representatives from Northern Finland in various forums and encouraged youth delegates to apply boldly for various positions. Marjo Riitta Tervonen, Director of Cooperation, presented Pohtinen's measures to promote the Participation and Inclusion of young people. The members of the Regional Youth Regional Assembly were also able to directly Influencing the scenario work of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region. The Regional Assembly's R&D Manager Mikko Väisänen and Senior Specialist Ari Näpänkangas conducted a workshop where young people were able to express their views on the Regional Assembly's scenario options for 2050. Väisänen told that the results of the workshop…