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The Regional Assembly of Oulu Region is applying for project funding from the EU's Regional and Structural Policy Programme Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 for specific objective 2.1 Promoting energy efficiency measures and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In particular, the call aims at municipality-based projects that develop and pilot local solutions and operating models to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In projects, a municipality, a community of municipalities or a region made up of several municipalities can act as a development and experimental environment for the green transition and bring together companies, residents, research and education organisations and other stakeholders in the region. The call encourages the development and implementation of new practices, technologies and solutions that improve energy efficiency or slow down climate change, as well as the increase of related know-how in municipal organisations. Projects can strengthen municipalities' know-how and capacity to act in promoting the green transition, for example…

Wednesday 14.10.2026 from 9.00 to 15.00 Venue: Hotel Lasaretti, Aurora Hall, Kasarmintie 13 B, Oulu Registration for the Northern Ostrobothnia Tourism Forum 2026 The most important tourism seminar in Northern Ostrobothnia will be held again in October - sign up! The event brings together tourism companies, developers and decision-makers to hear and discuss current topics and future opportunities in the field. This year's themes are the permanent impact of the title year on the region, the importance of events for tourism, and the role of artificial intelligence and responsibility in the sustainable and competitive development of tourism. Programme 8.00 Morning coffee and registration 9.00 Introduction to the event 9.05 Opening remarks Kristiina Hietasaari, Senior Director, Visit Finland 9.30 Keynote - Heritage of the European Capital of Culture Year Suvi Innilä, Turku 800 Project Director, City of Turku Innilä has served as Project Manager for the European Capital of Culture year 2011 and…

The Regional Assembly of Oulu Region, in cooperation in cooperation in cooperation with the City of Oulu, is launching an ERDF project application for the implementation of the ecosystem agreement 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 1.9. – 9.10.2026. 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 800,000 euros. ERDF applications will be …

The Executive Committee of the Regional Assembly of Northern Ostrobothnia met today for a development meeting to review the work of the Executive Committee, cooperation and the operating culture of the organisation. The meeting assessed current practices and considered how the work of the management team can better support the achievement of the organisation's objectives and the success of the personnel in their work. The discussions focused on the role of the management team in the management of the organisation, the preparation of decision-making, the flow of information and cooperation between different responsibilities. In addition, the future development needs of competence and education were considered, as well as the capabilities that the changing business environment requires from both management and the entire organisation. The day offered an opportunity to pause for a moment in the midst of everyday hustle and bustle for a joint conversation. The aim of the discussions was to form a common view on the development of the management team and to strengthen the prerequisites for the fulfilment of the basic task and strategic goals of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region also in the future. Board of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region:…

The ERDF call for applications for the 2021-2027 programming period of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region is open until 30 September 2026! In this call for applications, ERDF applications will be accepted in accordance in cooperation in cooperation with the following specific objectives: 1.1. Improving research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies 2.3. Promoting the transition to a circular economy 3.1. Developing regional and local accessibility A total of EUR 2 820 000 is planned to be used to finance incoming projects. The maximum contribution requested (ERDF+Member State) is 70 % development project and up to 70 % the total cost of the investment project. Before preparing your application, you should read more about the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 programme document and the contents of the above-mentioned specific objectives. Projects financed under Specific Objective 1.1 must also be in line in cooperation in cooperation with the Northern Ostrobothnia Smart Specialisation Strategy 2021-2025. The Regional Assembly of Oulu Region's ERDF project selection focuses on the regional programme for Northern Ostrobothnia 2026-2029, as well as the region's security of supply and …

The regions of Eastern and Northern Finland consider that the Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) should be maintained and strengthened as a key development and investment model for the European Union's 2028-2034 programming period. According to the counties, S3 is a place-based development method that strengthens Europe's competitiveness and combines EU, national and regional objectives in cooperation in cooperation with the regions' own strengths. The model supports the transition from individual projects towards strategic development portfolios, innovation ecosystems and long-term investments. Based on the experiences of Eastern and Northern Finland, S3 has strengthened the regions' ability to identify new growth opportunities, build innovation ecosystems and renew the economic structure. The regions have significant strengths in areas such as clean energy, bioeconomy, critical raw materials, digitalisation and industrial transformation. Regions underline that Europe's competitiveness, security, resilience and sustainable growth…

At a meeting in the Faroe Islands in early June 2026, the Monitoring Committee of the Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) programme approved 15 new development projects. The application round showed a record level of interest, in cooperation in cooperation with a total of 33 project proposals to be evaluated. Finland is strongly involved in all projects Finnish stakeholders have an exceptionally strong role in funded projects. All 15 projects involve at least one Finnish operator, in cooperation in cooperation with a total of 19 Finnish organisations receiving funding. For Finland, all eight regions of the programme area are represented in these completed projects. The Finnish organisation is the lead implementer of 10 projects. Centria University of Applied Sciences is leading two projects in Central Ostrobothnia, focusing on the management of consumption peaks in electricity networks in sparsely populated areas and the reuse of blades in wind turbines. The University of Oulu is involved in up to four projects, one of which is the main implementer.…

In May, the Payment Officers of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region familiarised themselves in cooperation in cooperation with various projects during on-the-spot verifications. On the left is Miehonsuo research environment and researcher Maarit Liimatainen (LUKE). On the right, Leo Aho, Project Manager at the Brahe School of Technology and Services, and Mari Väänänen, Payment Officer at the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region. The Regional Assembly of Oulu Region has launched on-site verifications for 2026. This year, Payment Officers will visit around 20 different ERDF or JTF project sites in the region. Control extends to 15% of all ERDF and JTF projects co-financed by the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region for the 2021-2027 programming period. In addition, verifications may be carried out for projects that have received national funding. The verification is carried out under the guidance of a Payment Officer, and a regional development expert supervising the project is also present. The projects to be audited are selected on the basis of different criteria. The selection … is intended to be verified

The implementation plan for the security of supply and comprehensive security of Northern Ostrobothnia for 2026-2027 has been updated and approved by the the Board of the Regional Assembly on 8 June 2026. The implementation plan brings together key measures to strengthen the region's resilience to crises and ensure the functioning of society in a changing security environment. The update shifts the focus from preparedness towards resilience – the ability to act even in long-term disruptions. The development is guided by three key areas: RDI activities, the security of supply of businesses and the safety of people's everyday lives. The plan sets out concrete actions for different sectors. For example, the reliability of the energy system will be strengthened by developing decentralised energy production, energy storage and reserve power solutions. In food and water supply, the availability of water is secured and reserve power is ensured to ensure the continuity of operations. Logistics invests in alternative transport routes and the reliability of critical infrastructure, such as ports and the road network.  In addition, the importance of local production, shortening supply chains and strengthening skills…

The Government has appointed the Arts and Culture Regional Assembly for the term 2026-2029. Samu Forsblom, Programme Director, was elected President of the Regional Assembly. The Government of Northern Ostrobothnia presented Forsblom as a member of the Regional Assembly at its meeting on 23 February 2026. The election as President is good news for the whole of Northern Ostrobothnia. It will contribute to strengthening the visibility of northern cultural know-how at the national level at a time when the region is implementing the European Capital of Culture year. The Arts and Culture Regional Assembly serve ass in connection in cooperation in cooperation with the new Arts and Culture Agency. Its tasks include acting as an expert body in artistic and cultural policy matters, appointing an expert bank for art and culture, and outlining the principles of peer review. The Regional Assembly's term of office will start on 1 July 2026. Auli Suorsa, Senior Cultural Affairs Specialist, tel. +358 50 386 8443 auli.suorsa@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi