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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.

At its meeting on 16 March 2026, the Government of Northern Ostrobothnia appointed members to three key working groups: the Advisory Board for Organisations, the Cooperation Group for Education and Research and the Advisory Board for Climate Work. The appointments concern the current term of office. The task of the NAC is to strengthen the role of organisations in the development of the region and to increase their visibility. The Advisory Board promotes the Participation and Inclusion of citizens and organisations, coserve ass in cooperation with the wellbeing services county Pohde and develops cooperation between organisations and the public sector. A large number of representatives of organisations, municipalities and expert organisations were appointed to the Advisory Board, including representatives of the Northern Ostrobothnia Village Regional Assembly, the Finnish Red Cross Oulu District, the City of Oulu and the Regional Assembly of Northern Ostrobothnia. This is the fourth term of office of the Advisory Board. The Presidium shall be elected from in cooperation within the Advisory Board. Cooperation group for education and research brings together experts in the area Cooperation group for education and research…

Interreg Aurora's application rounds for 8th development projects and 6th small projects ended on 9 March 2026. A total of 78 applications were received, 75 for Interreg Aurora and three for Sámi. Of these, 66 were development project applications and 12 were small project applications. The main applicant from Northern Ostrobothnia was involved in 14 development project applications, the most active being the University of Oulu, which was the main applicant in nine applications. Other main applicants from Northern Ostrobothnia were the City of Oulu, Oulu University of Applied Sciences and the Building Cluster of Northern Finland. In addition, the University of Oulu was a partner in 12 applications and Oulu University of Applied Sciences in five applications. The decisions on the projects to be financed will be made at the steering group meeting on 3-4 June 2026 in Oulu. Further information: niko.auer@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi

The EUI National Contact Point, in cooperation in cooperation with the City of Oulu and the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region, will organise a talent development event for Finnish cities in Oulu on 19-20 May 2026. The theme of the event is the changed geopolitical situation in Finland and its effects on urban development. The aim is to strengthen the capacity of cities to adapt to changes in the business environment and to take advantage of new opportunities, especially in the fields of overall safety and strategic autonomy, in order to promote the competitiveness of cities. The event is aimed at Innoka cities and all interested cities as well as key stakeholders. The event will also be attended by European peer cities and high-level representatives from the European Commission. The event offers a wide range of high-level speakers, panel discussions, best practices from European cities, workshops and networking opportunities. In addition, participants will be able to visit top destinations in the Oulu innovation ecosystem - places where world-class …

The sixth call for applications for the Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) programme ended in February, and the call turned out to be surprisingly popular. The programme received a total of 33 project applications, competing for funding of around EUR 10 million. The record number of applications shows that cooperation between states in the northern and Arctic regions is growing strongly. Finnish stakeholders have also been actively involved in Interreg programmes more broadly, especially in universities and polytechnics, reflecting national expertise and strong regional development work.   Evaluation ongoing - decisions in June 2026 All applications are now transferred to the evaluation according to the selection criteria of the programme. Applications will be processed by the Programme Secretariat and each regional evaluation group in a participating country will make its own recommendations during the spring. The final financing decisions will be taken by the Programme Monitoring Committee at the beginning of June in the Faroe Islands. Results are announced…

In accordance in cooperation with the Government's decision, approximately EUR 16 million of national funding will be allocated to the implementation of the Eastern and Northern Finland programmes. This funding is intended to support the sustainable growth and vitality of the regions, i.e. AKKE funding, which in this context is commonly referred to as IP AKKE. Funding allocated to Northern Finland amounts to n 4 million euros. The Regional Assembly of South Karelia acts as the funding authority for this IP AKKE. Separate calls for development projects and investment projects in municipal infrastructure have been opened in the State Treasury's electronic system www.haeavusutus.fi 2.3.2026. This is a continuous application in cooperation with selection periods: 1st selection period ends on 15.5.2026 2nd selection period ends on 30.10.2026 and 3rd selection period ends on 26.2.2027. Applications will be considered at the end of each selection period, in cooperation with the aim that decisions are taken in cooperation within three months of the end of the selection period. Search on…

The Regional Assembly of Oulu Region celebrated the 2026 Oulu Capital of Culture year by organizing the traditional International Women's Day reception in cooperation in cooperation with Design Centre Proto on 8 March 2026. Nearly 100 women from the region participated in the event! The reception of the Women's Day of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region discussed women's networking, influencing and opportunities to Influencing and participate in societal activities and decision-making. This year’s theme was ‘Rights. Justice. Action. All women and girls” The President of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region, Senja Kovaniemi, welcomed the event. We also heard the following speeches at the event: Greetings from the Government, Minister of Education and Culture Mari-Leena Talvitie Woman's place - from idea to the world, CEO and founder of FabPatch Oy Taija Säiliö Design Centre Proto gave a speech by space and furniture designer, organisation secretary, Sanna Mäkelä, Northern Finland Designers' Regional Assembly Oras Tynkkynen, Member of Parliament,…

Members of Parliament of the Oulu constituency met on Tuesday 3 March 2026 at an event held in Botta, Helsinki. The meeting discussed topical themes that are central to Northern Finland and strengthened the dialogue between the region and national decision-making. The discussion highlighted, among other things, the future prospects for the financing of the Northern Ostrobothnia Welfare Region, the purchase of rail transport in Northern and Eastern Finland, and the preparation of the Northern Finland programme for the Government's framework meeting. The event also looked at the role of the University of Oulu as an international scientific and student community and the availability of funding for companies. The event provided an opportunity for topical discussion on the development of the area and the promotion of Northern Finnish perspectives in national decision-making.