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The Regional Board of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region has awarded the Northern Ostrobothnia Prize to ice hockey player Lasse Kukkonen. Lasse Kukkonen is an ice hockey player, Olympic medalist and world champion from Oulu. He has always emphasized the importance of the Northern Ostrobothnian roots and made the region well known. Kukkonen has Influencingd and continues to Influencing through his example both through hockey and outside the ice hockey rink. He has played a significant role and an exemplary role as an Influencingr and developer of Kärppie's junior and youth work. A great importance for young players has been Kukkonen's way of encouraging and inspiring them in their starting career. For Lasse Kukkonen, Oulu and Northern Ostrobothnia have always been a big part of life. "This award is a big recognition for the whole team and community I was honoured to be part of during my career," Kukkonen emphasises. Cock …

The event industry has grown dramatically over the last 10 years. Now, the COVID-19 pandemic has put it and professionals in the field in a direct state of emergency. What does all this mean for the future of the industry? How will this rise again as the pandemic subsides? Read Taina Ronkainen's blog post on the subject.

In the coming years, the European Union will strive for global leadership in sustainable social development. The new growth strategy, called the European Green Deal, aims to promote both economic growth in the EU area and ecologically and socially sustainable development. In Northern Ostrobothnia, the energy transition and municipal climate solutions are the core themes of the green transition. Ten of the county's municipalities have joined the Hinku network, coordinated by the Finnish Environment Institute. In the ongoing Northern Ostrobothnia Climate Roadmap project (POPclimate), the EU's and Finland's climate targets are integrated comprehensively into the development of the region. Ritva Isomäki, who works as a project manager on climate and circular economy themes at the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region, has seen how climate change has risen to the centre of development work. “Climate issues have risen from marginal to mainstream to guide other development themes. For us, the promotion of climate issues today is…

The call for applications from the European European European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) (ERDF) (ERDF) for projects under the coronavirus action plan ended on 29 January 2021 in the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region. By the deadline, 32 applications were received by the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region. The number of applications received was 12 for the competitiveness of SMEs and 20 for the production and utilisation of new knowledge and know-how. The applications applied for funding for development projects from the Regional Assembly of Northern Ostrobothnia for a total amount of EUR 8 099 741. The funding available for projects is approximately EUR 2.1 million.

The preparation of the Oulu region's development picture 2030+ has started. The aim is to seek, through active dialogue, a common municipal policy and the goal of a sustainable urban structure and transport system serving the entire region, as well as a vibrant region. The development picture of the Oulu region 2030+ has been included in the land use, housing and transport agreement (MAL) between the state and the municipalities of the Oulu region, which was approved in the autumn. The development picture will be completed by the end of 2021. The development picture is a vision-level goal plan that creates a future image of the Oulu region. The main themes are land use and housing, logistics and transport, services and livelihoods, as well as tourism and recreation from a regional perspective. The cross-cutting perspectives include low-carbon and sustainable solutions, as well as cooperation. Through these, the work discusses what is a common regional…

The application period for funding for sustainable growth and vitality in the regions ended on Friday 22 January 2021. On 22 January 2021, the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region closed its call for applications for funding for sustainable growth and vitality in the regions (AKKE). Applications were received by the deadline of 14. The amount of aid applied for in the applications is € 477 282. Applications will be processed immediately. For more information, please contact Tiina Rajala, Development Director, tel. +358 40 685 4033.

The Regional Assembly of Oulu Region and the University of Oulu, together in cooperation in cooperation with Region Norrbotten and Luleå University of Technology, are in charge of a new European partnership for smart specialisation focusing on wireless ICT technologies. The partnership focuses on wireless solutions for health, industry, autonomous vehicles and smart urban environments. The partnership was officially launched in cooperation in cooperation with a kick-off seminar on 21 January 2021. The partnership has attracted a lot of positive attention and a total of 10 regions from eight European countries have already committed to it. More than 60 people from all over Europe participated in the kick-off seminar. Additional information: Project Manager Gitte Meriläinen, Regional Assembly of Oulu Region, tel. Contact Manager What Rantakokko, University of Oulu, tel. +358 (0)40 685 4053 046 922 7227 News about the establishment of a partnership Partnership website  

Northern Ostrobothnia receives €29.4 million € REACT EU funding for the economic recovery caused by the COVID-19 crisis for 2021-2022. REACT EU funding supports regions to repair the damage caused by the COVID-19 crisis. At the same time, the funds will lay the groundwork for a green, digital and resilient recovery of the economy. Approximately 255.4 million euros were now being distributed in the whole of Finland. €. The funds will be applied for in spring 2021 through the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region and the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment of Northern Ostrobothnia. Funding is ERDF and ESF funding and two new themes of the programme are added to the Structural Funds programme for Leverage from the EU 2014-2020. ERDF funds will be allocated to strengthening SME activities, especially from the perspective of digitalisation and green recovery, as well as to developing research and innovation activities from the perspective of promoting digitalisation and achieving the goal of carbon neutrality in society. ESF funds are allocated to e.g. digital skills…

Carbon neutrality is today's topic, but few places in Europe can be said to be almost a reality. Northern Ostrobothnia municipality Ii is a significant exception. The municipality is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 80% (from 2007 levels) by the end of 2020. The Northern Ostrobothnia Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) and ESIF support have helped the municipality of Ii to achieve this goal. The project portfolio of the municipality of Ii corresponds to the main objectives of smart specialisation in Northern Ostrobothnia in promoting the use of clean technology and green energy. The climate work of the municipality of Ii attracts international attention. The European Commission's Smart Specialisation Platform, the S3 Smart Spacialisation Platform, presents Ii's success fstakeholders in its article series "Smart Stories". The article can be read HERE. Further information: Project Manager Gitte Meriläinen, Regional Assembly of Oulu Region Managing Director Leena Vuotovesi, Iin Microolis…

A cultural development programme is being prepared for Northern Ostrobothnia. Read a blog post about the progress of work and how well-being, culture and development are linked. You can find the blog here.