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The CPMR Baltic Sea Commission's Marine Working Group and the Working Group on Energy and Climate met in a joint meeting in Stockholm on 14-15 April. The theme of the meeting was the sustainability and resilience of the coastal areas of the Baltic Sea and the energy transition of maritime transport. The two-day meeting included several speeches on the European Commission's strategies in preparation, as well as on current projects in the Baltic Sea regions. Manuel Pleguezuelo, DG MARE, European Commission, presented the EU strategy for coastal communities. The EU’s coastal regions are home to around 90 million people and face not only climate change-related problems, but also accessibility challenges. The strategy is currently being prepared by the Commission and will be finalised in June. The EU's Affordable Energy Action Plan was also discussed. It was presented by a representative of DG ENER…

The seventh application period for sustainable urban development for the 2021-2027 programming period of the Regional Assembly of Northern Ostrobothnia has closed on 13 April 2026. During the application period, 29 new applications were received by the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region. The applications sought funding from the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region totalling approximately EUR 3,674 million. The decisions on applications for positive follow-up will be received in June 2026. The project selections are made by the evaluation group of the City of Oulu. The next application period for new Sustainable Urban Development projects will take place in spring 2027. At that time, approximately EUR 1,500,000 will be applied for funding.

The regions of Eastern and Northern Finland are concerned about the tendering of passenger train services prepared by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom from 2031 onwards. The planned changes threaten to weaken the service level, fluency and attractiveness of rail travel, especially in Eastern and Northern Finland. In particular, the position is opposed to mandatory long-distance train changes in Kuopio and Oulu, as well as weakening the service level in cooperation with regard to the train fleet used in purchasing traffic. The Regional Assemblys emphasise that EU regulation enables a more effective solution: Purchasing services should include larger entities where market-based connections also cover the costs of less profitable services. This will ensure an equal level of service throughout the country, avoid train changes that weaken travel, and support the vitality of Eastern and Northern Finland as well as sustainable mobility for both residents and tourists. Further information: Hannu Takkula, Regional Director, tel. +358 400 203…

On Wednesday 15 April, the premises of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region were filled in cooperation with good-humored speeches and topical topics for discussion, when the EU project funding authoritys, payers and administrative staff of the Regional Assemblys of Northern Ostrobothnia, Kainuu, Central Ostrobothnia, Lapland and Northern Ostrobothnia gathered around a common table. The purpose of the two-day joint meetings was to strengthen cooperation between the Regional Assemblys, strengthen mutual learning and exchange good practices. – The Regional Assemblys of the North have tended to meet annually to discuss common issues and learning. Visiting destinations and organisational responsibilities alternate, and this year it was our turn, says Tiina Rajala, Development Director of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region. The theme of Wednesday was the situational picture of the northern regions and joint discussions. The key offering of the day was Secretary General Hanna Honkamäkilä's …, who leads the preparations for the programming period in Eastern and Northern Finland.

  The main line must be developed into a high-quality, fast and reliable transport route that is two-track in its entire length and at least three-track between Helsinki and Tampere. The aim is also to improve international contacts. The development of the main railway requires a commitment that goes beyond government terms. The guidelines are available in the Main Line 2060 strategy published in Helsinki on 15 April. The strategy has been prepared by the Finnish Main Line Group, which includes regional The Regional Assemblys, cities, ports and chambers of commerce along the entire main line. Markus Erkkilä, Vice President of Planning at the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region, who serves as the Vice-President of the Main Line Group, considers the Main Line Vision to be important, as the development of the Main Line has lacked a clear long-term goal, even though it is undoubtedly the backbone of the Finnish transport system.   The main railway line in Finland is 800 kilometres long from Helsinki via Hämeenlinna, Tampere, Seinäjoki, Kokkola and Oulu to Tornio.…

New funding opportunities for defence projects - The implementation of the Safe Finland theme will start on 15 April 2026. Funding from the Centre will be directed to SMEs for projects promoting dual use and to public stakeholders for the development of transport infrastructure. The aim is to strengthen the emergence of innovations in the defence sector, the growth of production and the internationalisation of companies, as well as military mobility and national security of supply. The Northern Finland Vitality Centre will organise a call for applications for companies on 20 April 2026 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.: Strengthening industrial capacity in Northern Finland to support the defence industry and dual use. A national information event for public stakeholders will be held on 20 April 2026 at 10.30-11.30: Search for the development of dual-use transport infrastructure for military mobility. More information https://www.sttinfo.fi/factsheet/71951112/new-funding opportunities-defence-projects-safe-Finnish-theme-implementation-fails-1542026?lang=en

Overall, the cyclical development in Northern Ostrobothnia has recently been cautiously positive. There is a clear dichotomy between the clusters: some are already at a high level after a long growth, while others have only just begun their turn to the better. Economic activity has improved in many areas, but employment developments lag behind. The ICT cluster and especially the extensive tourism cluster stand out as the strongest entities in the region in terms of revenue growth. In these clusters, growth is not only recent, but has continued for several years. In the ICT sector, the strong development of net sales is combined in cooperation with a slight decrease in the number of employees, which points to the increasing use of artificial intelligence and automation to improve productivity. The tourism cluster, which is sensitive to global changes and changes in purchasing power, has maintained its position well, but not to exceptionally strong growth …

The European Commission's Directorate-General for Regional Policy (DG REGIO) has launched a call for applications for the 2026 REGIOSTARS Awards. The annual prize, awarded since 2008, is awarded to EU-funded projects that have contributed to regional development in an effective and innovative way, while strengthening regional Participation and Inclusion. Applying for the competition is an excellent opportunity to market the successes of your region, gain visibility and inspire other European stakeholders. The closing date for applications is 22 May 2026. There are five categories of competition related to cohesion policy: A competitive and smart Europe Green Europe Achieve Europe Social and inclusive Europe Close to citizens Europe The wEnablers will be selected at the European Week of Regions and Cities in Brussels. In 2026, the event will take place from 12 to 14 October. EWRC…

The application period for the eleventh project (JTF) of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region's 2021-2027 programming period has closed on 31 March 2026. During the application period, 33 new applications were received by the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region. The applications sought funding from the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region totalling approximately EUR 5,659 million. The decisions on applications for positive follow-up will be received in June 2026. The next application period for new ERDF projects will run from 4 May to 30 September 2026. A total of EUR 2,820,000 is available for funding. Actions under specific objectives 1.1 (improving research and innovation capacities and the deployment of advanced technologies), 2.3 (promoting the transition to a circular economy) and 3.1 (promoting regional and local accessibility) will be eligible for funding under this call period. The next call for applications for JTF funding is planned for spring 2027. The timetable for the application round will be specified in early 2027.

The presentations of the event can be found on the page of the regional Instructions.