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This spring, for the first time, the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia will carry out the regional director's visits to the municipalities of the region. The series of six visits began in the Nivala region on Thursday 22 February 2024, when the provincial director Jussi Rämet visited Nivala together with the acting mayor of the city of Oulu Ari Alatossava. The meeting was attended by the municipal directors of Nivala, Haapajärvi, Reisjärvi, Pyhäjärvi, Pyhänttä and Kärsämäki. The purpose of the meeting was to hear them and get to know the situation in each municipality. Discussions were also held on the themes of the Northern Finland Programme launched by the Government. "The purpose of the meetings is to intensify cooperation between municipalities and the Regional Council and to identify area-based development proposals for the preparation of the Northern Programme to be launched under the auspices of the Prime Minister's Office. The municipal tour is a concrete and effective way to create the differentiated needs of the whole of Northern Ostrobothnia for the development of the region," Jussi Rämet says.…

There will be four employment areas in Northern Ostrobothnia – the Government confirmed the areas From the beginning of 2025, there will be 45 employment areas in Finland. The municipalities and the cooperation areas formed by the municipalities have already informed the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment of how they intend to organise the services. The Government confirmed the regions on Thursday 22 February. The responsibility for organising public employment services will be transferred from the State Employment and Economic Development Offices to municipalities and cooperation areas formed by municipalities on 1 January 2025. In addition, some of the ELY Centre's services will be transferred to municipalities. The municipalities of Northern Ostrobothnia have agreed on areas for cooperation or employment. There are four areas of employment in the region: Employment regions of Oulu, Raahe and Ylivieska-Kalajoki-Nivala. In addition, Kuusamo and Taivalkoski join the Kainuu-Koillismaa employment area. Oulu, Raahe, Ylivieska and Kajaani are responsible for organising the services. The municipalities in the regions will obtain the employment services they need from the organisers. Government compensates municipalities for employment care and unemployment security costs…

The High-Level Expert Group on Cohesion Policy appointed by the European Commission has presented its report, which assesses the functioning of cohesion policy and makes recommendations for its future. The report discusses the role and tasks of cohesion policy for the future of Europe and how to promote economic, social and territorial cohesion in the context of the twin transition and demographic change. Key recommendations of the report include: • Cohesion policy should be more place-based and future-oriented investments need to take better account of the strengths, conditions and needs of regions. • Cohesion policy must deliver more effective and inclusive development strategies by strengthening partnerships and cooperation between stakeholders at different levels. • Interregional links should be stepped up in order to realise the global potential. • Cohesion policy administrative systems should be made simpler and more user-friendly. Read more Commission…

The second application period of the 6th application round of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia's programming period 2021-2027 has closed on 16 February 2024. During the application period, 87 new applications were received by the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia. The applications sought funding from the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia totalling approximately EUR 20.1 million. The solutions for applications progressing to positive further processing will be received during spring 2024. The next application round is planned to open in May-June 2024. The schedule for the application round will be specified during the spring.

In 2024, the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia celebrates its tenth year of operation. No special festivities are planned, but during the year we want to emphasise the effectiveness of the organisation's work even more strongly. “The role of the organisations of Northern Ostrobothnia in the development of the region and in promoting the well-being of the citizens of the municipality has been significantly strengthened year by year. In ten years, cooperation has intensified and effectiveness has increased", said Chair Esa Aunola at the meeting of the Organisational Advisory Board for Northern Ostrobothnia on 5 February. In particular, the importance of lobbying was highlighted in the discussion. There is a need for this, and cross-sectoral cooperation between organisations is a strength. During the jubilee year, we want to invest in advocacy in the work of the Advisory Board. The aim is to reach both decision-makers and citizens, and to highlight the work and results of organisations and also the Advisory Board in different forums. The programme includes meetings, negotiations, statements, a report on cooperation between municipal organisations…

Rural areas in Northern Ostrobothnia will be developed through smart solutions and innovations. The region is strongly involved in the international SMART ERA project, in which North Ostrobothnia is one of the six pilot areas of the project. The SMART ERA project aims to contribute to the depopulation of rural areas across Europe. The aim is to reverse migration flows and kick-start sustainable growth. The solution to the problem is sought from technological solutions and social innovations. Local communities will be involved in the development and design of different solutions. Rural areas are often perceived as less attractive habitats because they have fewer services, different structural problems, limited employment opportunities and an ageing population. The ongoing digital transformation and increased teleworking opportunities offer a unique opportunity to redirect migration flows back to rural areas. SMART ERA…

A study on export and business opportunities and financing channels for the reconstruction of Ukraine has been completed. The report is part of last year's implementation plan for security of supply and overall safety in Northern Ostrobothnia. The report, prepared by Owal Group Oy, reviews the background of the support given to Ukraine, the opportunities for companies brought about by reconstruction, as well as various networks and funding channels. You can access the report via this link.

The Ministry of Education and Culture has granted the Kainuu Regional Council a special grant of EUR 160 000 for the development of the cultural activities of the municipalities of Kainuu and Northern Ostrobothnia. The project will be implemented during 2024-2025 in close cooperation with the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia. KAIPO - Strengthening Networks of Culture in Kainuu and Northern Ostrobothnia project creates impact on the cultural activities of Kainuu and Northern Ostrobothnia counties and their municipalities. Neighbouring regions already have some cooperation in the field of arts and culture, which provides a good basis for the implementation of the project, as well as for the development of more extensive cooperation and know-how. As a result of the project, cooperation between counties, municipalities and cultural actors will be intensified and the conditions for more efficient use of resources will be strengthened. Cultural services create new operating models and content, and municipal cultural managers receive more support for their work. Northern Ostrobothnia…

The Northern Transport Strategy 2036 is a strategic vision shared by the regions of Lapland, North Ostrobothnia, Central Ostrobothnia and Kainuu for the development of the region's transport system. The previous strategy was published in 2017. It was considered necessary to update it due to geopolitical changes in the surrounding area. The strategy focuses on cross-border issues. Its visions, objectives and measures were defined in extensive stakeholder cooperation during autumn 2023, when the Regional Council of Kainuu chaired the Transport and Logistics Working Group of Northern Finland. Issues on a more detailed level are resolved in more detailed, provincial transport system plans. The draft strategy was finalised in early 2024. The aim is to prepare a strategy for the approval processes of the regional governments during spring 2024. Stakeholders may submit comments on the draft strategy before then. Comments should be submitted no later than 12 February 2024 at 12.00 noon to kirjaamo(at)kainuunliitto.fi. Additional information: Lauri Romppainen, Regional Engineer, Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, tel. +358 40 385 4021,…

During the autumn of 2023, artists Sinikka Eirola and Tiina Vehkaperä, together with local residents, put together works of art in five municipalities. The material was metal recyclables, i.e. crooks, which got a new life as everyday treasures in the works. The works and their preparation process can be viewed in a published video on the Youtube channel of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia: All around: Communal art on yards and paths (youtube.com) The works located in Hailuoto, Alavieska, Pyhäjoki, Sievi and Kalajoki are now peeking out of the snow in winter, waiting for the arrival of spring and further work. “These works of art are nice because they are never quite finished. You can continue to work on them alone or together by adding new nozzles according to your own mind. The works are transformed over time, both by the weather and by the art activity of the local residents," says Sinikka Eirola. Works made from blankets…