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The agenda for the meeting of the Regional Government on 19 November 2024 has been published on the website of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia. Matters to be discussed at the meeting: Progress report on the implementation status and implementation of the Structural Funds programme of the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 programme and the JTF (Just Transition) fund, as well as national funding Indicate for information the status of implementation of the Renewable and Skilled Finland Programme 2021-2027, the JTF Fund and national funding.  North Ostrobothnia Tourism Strategy The provincial government approves the update of the tourism strategy for 2024-2027. External evaluation of the Regional Programme for Northern Ostrobothnia 2022-2025 The Regional Government takes note of the external evaluation of the Regional Programme for Northern Ostrobothnia 2022-2025. Launch of preparatory work for the provincial programme for Northern Ostrobothnia 2026-2029 The Provincial Government decides to initiate the preparation of the Provincial Programme for Northern Ostrobothnia 2026-2029, including the environmental report, to publish an announcement of the start of the preparation on the official bulletin board of the Union on the website and in the newspaper Kaleva, and to approve the work plan of the Provincial Programme for Northern Ostrobothnia 2026-2029.…

The House of Good Mind will receive the 2024 North Ostrobothnia Organisational Act Award for its Prospect training programme. This year’s theme was ‘Broader than Whole – Cross-Border Cooperation’. The selection emphasised the crossing of borders and effectiveness, as well as the role of volunteering in the association's activities.  The award-winning association receives 1,000 euros to support its operations.   The House of Good Mind as a local association operator in Oulu has participated in a larger, cross-border cooperation that supports the well-being of mental health rehabilitees and relatives in Europe. The Prospect training programmes have been developed in cooperation with EUFAMI. The implementation of the training programmes in the House of Good Mind has started in 2004 and the updated training programmes have been introduced in 2024. Prospect training programmes support the mental well-being and recovery of mental health rehabilitees and their loved ones, as well as human rights, inclusion and empowerment…

According to HTT Raimo Ikonen and FL Rauno Lämsä's Northern Finland - The Future on the Move study, Northern Finland plays a crucial role in securing the nation's security of supply and self-sufficiency. The liquidators have independently made the report available to the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia. Permanently changed operational and safety environments have highlighted new structures for regional development: accessibility and regional vitality, coupled with security of supply and self-sufficiency from the perspective of Finland as a whole. Self-sufficiency concerns food, energy and health. Regional needs and actions are increasingly of a national and, at the same time, European nature. There is now a need for a reform of national regional policy. The northern routes are the only routes to Europe in the event of a crisis in the Baltic Sea. Strategic and critical resources are unpredictable. Accessibility is common to Europe…

The North Ostrobothnia Transport System Plan 2040 has been updated. The Government of Northern Ostrobothnia approved the updated transport system plan for the region at a meeting on 14 October. The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia and the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment of Northern Ostrobothnia were responsible for the update. The work was carried out during 2024 in cooperation with the municipalities of the region and the regional stakeholders. The provincial transport system plan includes a shared vision and willingness of the actors in the region to develop the provincial transport system. The plan presents the vision, objectives and policies, as well as the measures to be taken to make the region's transport system more efficient, safe and sustainable. The regional transport system plan is used to support the interest representation of the region. Regional plans play an important role in communicating the needs of the region, both in national planning and decision-making. In addition, the plan aims to guide the development of individual municipalities based on their own decision-making. “Significantly changed landscape in recent years…

The Regional Councils of Uusimaa and Northern Ostrobothnia have started joint scenario work with the aim of outlining alternative futures for the counties until 2050. Scenario work helps to prepare for and influence uncertain futures. The scenario work identifies key forces of change and their meanings for the futures of Uusimaa and Northern Ostrobothnia. In addition to megatrends, we also take into account so-called weak signals and uncertainties. – Scenario work makes us more sensitive to the changing world and to the present, says Rosa Tuomi, Senior Specialist at the Regional Council of Uusimaa. The joint scenario work of the two regions is a new way of working Both large, growing and developing regions have strong research, development and innovation activities. The common features and differences of the regions enrich the debate and enable new perspectives. –Provinces may …

The final seminar of the TE2024 project was held on 16-17 October 2024 in Kuusamo. The presentations of the event can now be found on the project page.

Change Now – Hope and trust are the cornerstones of mental well-being! The Northern Ostrobothnia Welfare Forum 2024 will be held on Wednesday 27 November 2024 from 10 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. at Vaala Comprehensive School, Niskantie 10, Vaala. The Welfare Forum will be held for the 17th time. This year we will focus on the importance of hope and trust as foundations for the well-being and safety of the mind. The forum also hears experiential information and rewards the well-being act of the year. The event is free of charge, including coffee and lunch. Check out the program from this link. Binding registration for the well-being forum and joint transport from Oulu via this link by 15 November 2024. The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia organises a well-being forum in cooperation with the Youth Friends Association and the Municipality of Vaala. Welcome to us!  

Council of Oulu Region joined the Living-in.EU initiative in an event organised during the European Week of Regions and Cities, #EWRC this week in Brussels. Living-in.EU's goal is to promote sustainable digital change and give boost to digital transformation in EU regions and cities. Signing the commitment enables the Council of Oulu Region to participate in Living-in.eu's working groups. The Living-in.EU initiative was initiated in Oulu in 2019. Behind the initiative is the Eurocities cooperation network of the most significant European cities. The network was founded in 1986 and includes more than 200 cities. #EURegionsWeek

  The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia has joined the Living-in.eu community. Regional Director Jussi Rämet signed the commitment on Wednesday 9 October 2024 in Brussels during the European Week of Regions and Cities. Living-in.eu aims to promote sustainable digital transformation in EU cities and regions. The initiative has already been signed by 169 local, regional and national bodies. The initiative has previously been signed by the Regional Councils of Uusimaa and Pirkanmaa. The signing of the Commitment enables the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia to participate in Living-in.eu working groups. The Living-in.eu initiative was originally presented in Oulu in 2019. The initiative is backed by the Eurocities cooperation network, which is made up of major European cities. The network was established in 1986 and includes more than 200 cities. Oulu is a full member of the network. In addition, the member cities in Finland are Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, Turku…

The agenda for the meeting of the Provincial Government on 14 October 2024 has been published on the website of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia. Matters to be discussed at the meeting: Advocacy matters Proposals by the municipalities of Northern Ostrobothnia for distribution reserve projects Preparatory status of the Northern Finland programme Let's take note. Presentations The project manager of the project “Developing clean and stable energy production in the Pyhäjoki Economic Area (PPE)” will present the final report of the project. Draft decision: Let's take note. Renewal of the transport system plan for Northern Ostrobothnia The provincial government decides to approve the transport system plan for Northern Ostrobothnia. Agreement on land use, housing and transport in the Oulu region (MAL Agreement) 2024-2035 The provincial government decides to approve the Oulu Region MAL Agreement for 2024-2035. Preparation of a transition strategy for the border regions of eastern Finland To be noted. Interim Report 3/2024 Proposal for a decision: The Provincial Government decides to take note of the third interim report for 2024. North Ostrobothnia Prize 2024 (the decision will be public on 4 November 2024) A presentation of the laureate will be given…