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The European Week of Regions and Cities will take place from 11 to 14 November. The event will now be held virtually for the second time and you can sign up here. The link also allows you to take a closer look at the four-day programme. This year’s main theme is “recovery together”, which refers to Europe’s collective recovery towards a fairer, greener and digitally stronger future. The event will be an arena for political debate, giving regions and cities the opportunity to make their voice heard in EU decision-making.

The region's industry has continued to grow strongly in 2021. Contrary to expectations, the creative economy is also in a good situation. This is because the cluster is closely linked to high-tech industries and construction in the region. Compared to 2019, tourism is still at a completely different level, even though the turnover and number of employees have started to grow briskly. Exports are recovering, although developments have fluctuated in different months. Overall, the economic outlook is so positive that if growth continues on such a broad front, the sufficiency of the workforce will be put to the test. You can download the publication from the link: https://www.pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi/wp-content/Downloads/2021/09/Operational data_for May_2021.pdf All economic publications and the latest economic trends can be found in graphs: https://www.pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi/development/foresight-and-statistics/recession/

  The EU's regional and structural policy programming period 2021-2027 starts on 1 November.  This will start the implementation of the Renewable and Skilled Finland programme for the European European European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) (ERDF) (ERDF) and the European European European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) Plus (ESF+) (ESF). For the Just Transition Fund (JTF), implementation will start early next year. The Act on Regional Development and the Implementation of the Regional and Structural Policy of the European Union (Implementing Act 756/2021), the Act on the Financing of Regional Development and Regional and Structural Policy Projects of the European Union (Financial Act 757/2021) will enter into force on 1 September. The Act on Discretionary Government Transfers for the Development of Enterprises 2021-2028 (Business Aid Act, 758/2021) will enter into force by Government Decree and the Act is expected to enter into force at the beginning of November. Read more about this on the rakennerahastot.fi website website.

As part of their 90th and 70th anniversary years, the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region and the Summer University of Northern Ostrobothnia invite you to listen and watch the studia generalia lecture series. The lecture series will be opened on 13 September 2021 at 6 p.m. and the opening lecture will be given by Minister of European Affairs and Ownership Steering Tytti Tuppurainen.   The Regional Assembly of Oulu Region is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year and the Summer University of Northern Ostrobothnia is celebrating its 70th anniversary. A studia generalia lecture series will be organised as part of the centenary programme. The lecture series deals in cooperation with, among other things, the growth, competitiveness and transition points of the region's economic structure, new regional policy, regional identity and the youth issue. Due to the coronavirus, we organize the studia generalia series as a webinar. Each broadcast has a presentation and then the topic is discussed in cooperation with the interviewer. The lecture series will be broadcast online and the recording of the performances will be made by the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region…

Are you a citizen of the European Union or of the United Kingdom aged between 18 and 24? And are you interested in making tomorrow's food in Europe better, cleaner and more traceable? If you answered yes to both questions, you should now apply for the role of FutureFoodMaker. The role will be played by ten young people from all over Europe. Together, they create a manifesto (so-called Menu for Change) for common and better food, which will guide and Influencing decision-makers such as politicians or producers. Food systems play an important role in many of the problems we face, such as reducing inequalities in climate change, waste, pollution and health. As a FutureFoodMaker, you will be given the opportunity to learn about food systems and their latest innovations aimed at bringing a positive impact to these problems. Through the role you get an excellent base to launch your own…

Finnish Food Day is celebrated for the third time on Saturday, 4 September. To celebrate this, 28 different food service units in Northern Ostrobothnia will serve local food made from Finnish and Northern Ostrobothnian ingredients at their meals on Friday, 3 September. The local food day provides an opportunity to increase the number of locally produced foods on the menus and to test different products and regional novelties. The use of local food increases the vitality, economy and self-sufficiency of the local area, as well as the traceability of the origin and production method of the food. The aim of the local food day is for municipal food services to make more and more use of local raw materials and products, and for the origin to be visible to the customer. "In municipal food services, there is already a lot of cooperation in cooperation with producers to include raw materials from our region in the menus. Local authorities are in charge of products, novelties and product development in their own area…

The Regional Assembly of Oulu Region requests proposals for the Organisational Act of Northern Ostrobothnia 2021. The application period is from 1 to 22 September 2021. The organisation act of the year 2021 will be announced at the Regional Parliament of Northern Ostrobothnia on 1 November 2021. The prize will be awarded for the third time. In 2021, the theme of the organisation is the prevention of social exclusion. An organizational act does not have to be an isolated act; it can be understood and interpreted more broadly. The award criteria emphasise the cross-border dimension and effectiveness, as well as the role of volunteering. The applicant must be a registered local Regional Assembly. The Regional Assembly that won the organizational act of the year will receive 1,000 euros to support its activities. The nominations for the prize will be made by 22.9.2021 at 3 p.m. using this form. The decision on the organisation of the year is made by the Regional Board of Northern Ostrobothnia.

The Regional Assembly of Oulu Region introduced a new visual identity as of 1 September. The new look is more modern than before and is much better suited for use in various purposes, both in digital channels and in printed products. The new visual identity in cooperation with logos and colour choices is inspired by the nature and special features of Northern Ostrobothnia: The topography of the county varies - forests and Peatlandss, the sea and lakes are present in the county's nature.  ‘The new logo shows typical variations in the nature of Northern Ostrobothnia: low ground, water and a dangerous landscape. The logo is not only multifunctional, but also memorable," says Pauli Harju, Regional Director for Northern Ostrobothnia.  in cooperation with the new visual identity, the website of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region will be updated. Particular attention has been paid to the clarity and accessibility of the website. Graphical instructions and new logos can be found here.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment granted the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region a total of EUR 1 160 000 to finance thematic networks and development corridors for 2021-2023. The development zone of the Bay of Bothnia (City of Oulu) received 300,000 euros in funding. In terms of thematic networks, the National Innovation Ecosystem for Welfare and Health Data (University of Oulu) received funding of EUR 500 000 and the National Hydrogen Network (City of Raahe) received funding of EUR 320 000. The Government grants funding to regional The Regional Assemblys that act as funding authorities for networks and zones. The Government decided on the funding at its meeting on 29 June. The funding of EUR 7 million for the promotion of interregional cooperation will be used to finance thematic networks and development corridors for regional development. The aim is to strengthen the joint use of resources and know-how between the different regions, peer learning and the attractiveness of the regions.

The core messages of the Northern Ostrobothnia Climate Road Map will be launched in ClimateArena in August. In regional climate work, Regional Emblems act as messengers: crane, fly, whitefish and Peatlands. The groups guiding climate work in Northern Ostrobothnia will meet in Ii on 20 August 2021. The composition of the Climate Work Advisory Board will change in the autumn. What is the current advisory board's message for the future? The meeting will also discuss the emission scenario tool made by the Finnish Environment Institute for municipalities. Climate Arena is Finland's most significant climate festival, and its goal is to make all voices heard. The festival will be held from 20 to 21 August 2021 in Ii. https://ilmastoareena.fi/2021/