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The centres of vitality have opened a new national call for funding to support significant investments by SMEs of at least EUR 10 million. The aim of the call is to accelerate the significant growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), especially export-oriented investments, throughout the country. The call for applications is open until 31.8.2026 and the maximum funding available is EUR 19 million. The national call is aimed at SMEs seeking significant growth and exports, adopting new resource-efficient production technologies or developing clean transition solutions. The aid is granted in the form of a business development grant for vitality centres. Grants may be awarded for the purchase of machinery and equipment based on new technologies, for intangible investments, for the construction of production-related, necessary and self-contained production facilities and for the related civil engineering costs. The total cost of the investment project must be at least 10 million…

  The Climate Working Group meeting of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) in the Oulu region on 27-28 May 2026 brought together European regions to discuss strengthening climate resilience and carbon sinks as part of EU climate policy. The Regional Assembly of Oulu Region hosted the meeting and was an active player in the CPMR network, highlighting the perspectives of the regions in the preparation of the EU's climate policy. The aim was to strengthen the position of the regions both as implementers of solutions and as shapers of their direction. Key themes were carbon sinks, carbon removal and the development of financing and management. Discussions highlighted the need to improve the ability of regions to Influencing and make use of EU-level funding. The message of the meeting was clear: climate resilience is built in the regions – and their role in the EU’s future solutions will be key. Watch the video: Atmospheres from the CPMR Climate Working Group meeting and field visit to Northern Ostrobothnia  

The Regional Assemblys of Mainland Finland carried out a study visit to the European Commission in Brussels in late May. The trip was aimed especially at experienced experts or people in managerial positions. The purpose of the visit was to provide regional experts in cooperation in cooperation with information on current topics. Presentations by experts from the European Commission represented a wide range of Commission Directorates-General: DG COMP, responsible for Competition Policy, DG REGIO, responsible for Regional and Urban Policy, DG GROW, responsible for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, and DG DEFIS, responsible for European Defence Industry and Space. Laura Kelhä, Head of Regional Development at the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region, participated in the study visit organised by the European Commission Representation in Finland. “However, the most fruitful part was networking and discussing in cooperation in cooperation with representatives of other regions.” Technology and cohesion policy important topics in Northern Ostrobothnia The visit included a topical update by Commissioner Henna…

The third term of office of the Northern Ostrobothnia Climate Work Advisory Board began in cooperation in cooperation with a meeting held in Oulu on 26 May 2026. The Advisory Board brings together key stakeholders in the region from different sectors to strengthen cooperation and the effectiveness of climate work. The third term of office continues the previous work of the Advisory Board. In the first period, a common direction was defined and a climate road map was drawn up, and in the second, targets were put into practice. Now the focus is on strengthening cooperation, effectiveness and building an up-to-date situational picture. The meeting discussed the role of the Advisory Board in promoting climate work as well as key climate issues in the region. The discussion focused on issues such as carbon sinks and land use, the energy transition, adaptation to climate change, agriculture, forestry and security of supply. Municipal climate work materialises in everyday solutions, such as the municipal structure, transport system and environmental protection, but resources are limited. Companies are key implementers of climate solutions, and expertise,…

The IP AKKE funding is called the national funding for supporting the sustainable growth and vitality of the regions, which, in accordance in cooperation in cooperation with the Government's decision, is available for approximately 16 million for the implementation of programmes in Eastern and Northern Finland. The funding authority is the Regional Assembly of South Karelia, which opened the project applications at the beginning of March 2026. The first selection period for the IP AKKE funding call ended on Friday 15 May 2026. In the first selection period, a total of 33 applications were submitted for a total amount of more than EUR 52 million. The number of applications exceeded expectations and indicates a strong interest in the implementation of the programmes. At the same time, the amount of aid applied for far exceeds the available funding of EUR 16 million. “The number of applications shows that the objectives of the programmes are considered very timely and necessary. Particularly gratifying is the fact that trans-regional cooperation is visible…

The current survey of organisations in Northern Ostrobothnia charts the current state of the Regional Assemblys' operations and their future development needs. The answers to the survey will be used to make the activities of Regional Assemblys visible, to plan training and support services, and to promote the operating conditions of Regional Assemblys in municipalities and the wellbeing services area, for example. The results are also used in national advocacy work. The survey is carried out nationwide in different counties, and a national summary of the results is also compiled. The results for Northern Ostrobothnia will be published in August 2026. The survey is aimed at all Regional Assemblys operating in the region (except religious and political Regional Assemblys). We ask that only one answer be given for each Regional Assembly. Individual responses will be treated in cooperation with confidence and in accordance in cooperation with data protection legislation. Information about individual Regional Assemblys or identifiable information is not published or shared in cooperation with third parties.  More information on data protection: Data protection page of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region It takes about 20… to respond to the survey

In May 2025, the Interreg Europe-funded Rural COOP project was launched in Northern Ostrobothnia to promote the development of rural areas. The name of the project is an abbreviation of its English title, Rethinking sUstainable and integRAted deveLopment in non-urban areas: COOPerative foresight and anticipation. The working method of the project is inclusive and co-creative. In practice, this is reflected in close cooperation and communication between the project consortium stakeholders. The regional stakeholder group is also active in Northern Ostrobothnia. Various Rural COOP events will be organised for regional stakeholders during the autumn of 2026. The first months of the project were spent organizing the project, but the current year has brought new functionalities. For example, stakeholder work has started rapidly in the region. In addition, the Rural COOP project team of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region has participated in foresight training organised for the project consortium. The aim was …

The Regional Assembly of Oulu Region has been collaborating in cooperation with the Geography Research Unit of the University of Oulu for years. This spring, students of the fourth year have completed a course in applied research in regional development and policy, in which the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region has participated in the study contents. At the beginning of May, it was time to gather at the premises of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region. During the seminar, the Geography Research Unit presented its activities and current research areas and topics. In addition, the union's experts told about their duties and educational backgrounds, and the students presented their group work completed during the course. Students study the importance and distribution of networks, cooperation and trust, and development resources in cooperation within our region, as well as the internationality and cooperation between the regions of Northern Finland. The main findings of the course work were the focus of development on large centres and the effects of cooperation and competition on trust…

The Advisory Board for Organisations in Northern Ostrobothnia is concerned about the weakening operating conditions of organisations and their impact on people's daily lives, well-being and municipal services. At the first meeting of its term of office, the Advisory Board outlined that the role and effectiveness of organisations must be strengthened in cooperation with greater determination. Organisations are a key part of the region's vitality, Participation and Inclusion and sense of community. “The role of organisations in people’s daily lives, well-being and community is now more important than ever before. That is why we need even closer cooperation between municipalities, the wellbeing services county and organisations. Strong advocacy work is needed to secure the work of organisations”. In this way, the priorities of the work of the Advisory Board were summarised by the newly elected chairperson, the Secretary General of the Regional Assembly of Young Friends, Raija Näppä. Jussi Ylitalo, Regional Director of the Regional Sports Regional Assembly of Northern Ostrobothnia, will act as the Deputy Chair of the Advisory Board. Influencing work needs information to support it. It's …

In the annual regional development discussions between the state and the regions, continuous changes in the business environment were highlighted this spring. The geopolitical situation, tightening public finances and the weakening of young people's future faith and well-being all have an impact on regional development. The position and strategic importance of Northern Finland, both in terms of overall security and large-scale investments, have grown significantly in recent years. The investment potential of the North is exceptionally high - estimates move up to EUR 80 billion over the next ten years. The investments focus on the clean transition, such as renewable energy and the extractive sector, as well as on industry and solutions that strengthen security of supply. From the point of view of investments, investments related to accessibility and the transport system, permitting processes and their duration, the possibility to anticipate the business environment and the general availability of financing played a key role. From a financial point of view, different …