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Finland's first maritime spatial plan is complete – extensive work will help to combine the good status of the marine environment and sustainable growth in Finland's marine area, and for the first time, a comprehensive maritime spatial plan has been drawn up in an extensive cooperation process between different stakeholders. The plan is a cartographic representation of both territorial waters and the exclusive economic zone, identifying, in general terms, significant and potential areas of underwater natural and cultural values, energy production, fisheries, aquaculture, shipping and tourism, for example. The aim is to reconcile the needs of different industries and thus improve the performance of maritime activities and the state of the marine environment. Read the full press release of the Ministry of the Environment here:  in Finnish, Swedish and English.

The Secretariat of the Northern Ostrobothnia Cooperation Group held a Teams meeting on 9 December 2020. Päivi Keisanen presented the preparation of the EU's regional and structural policy and rural development programme for the 2021-2027 programming period and the state of play of the preparation of the EU's regional and structural policy for the 2021-2027 programming period, and Tiina Suutar was briefed on the current state of play of the rural development programme. Suutari also presented new projects applied for under the EAFRD. The Secretariat of the regional Cooperation Group supports the following projects to be funded under the Finnish Structural Funds Programme for Leverage from the EU 2014-2020: Printable intelligence as an enabler of a safe food chain University of Oulu The project measures are divided into work packages as follows: Design, manufacture and testing of structural electronics (OY, VTT and OAMK) Verification of microbiological functionality of photoactive coating (Luke) Case-specific demonstration (OY, VTT, OAMK, Luke) Building and raising awareness of food safety and the food production ecosystem as part of PrintoCent…

The three key themes of climate work in Northern Ostrobothnia are agriculture, peat energy use and transport. According to studies containing strong data and different scenario options, Northern Ostrobothnia has significant potential to reduce climate emissions. In agriculture, the aim is to continue to develop as carbon sequestration. The report contains numerical information on the sustainable use of agricultural bio-based fractions and side streams, the climate impacts of the measures, the cost and yield impacts, and the potential in Northern Ostrobothnia. Three alternative emission scenarios were prepared. The report was prepared by Ramboll Finland Oy. The transport study and the calculations made in it make it possible to assess the impact of the propulsion distribution of newly registered vehicles on CO2 emissions from road transport until 2040. The report was prepared by Sitowise Oy. The study on the energy use of peat examines how the energy use of peat and wood in the area will develop, what kind of impacts the development will have…

The Regional Assembly of Northern Ostrobothnia has launched the TUULI project, which produces new information on the suitability of the Northern Ostrobothnia region for wind power production and seeks solutions for solving environmental issues in the sector. The aim is to create conditions for the development of the wind power sector and thus for increasing emission-free electricity production in the Northern Ostrobothnia region, taking into account different aspects of sustainable development. In Northern Ostrobothnia, the previous regional wind power survey was prepared in 2010-2011. The wind power sector and wind power technology have developed strongly over the last ten years, which is why a new overall study is needed. During the project, wind power targets will be drawn up for Northern Ostrobothnia, location control for wind power production will be developed, and participation and interaction related to the planning of wind power construction will be increased. As a result of the project, Northern Ostrobothnia's regional view of the most suitable areas for wind power construction can be presented. “Work will be carried out in cooperation with a wide range of stakeholders to achieve …

Euregio Karelia's cooperation area and cooperation forum will celebrate its 20th anniversary this year. To mark the anniversary, a webinar will be organised under the theme ‘The importance of regional cooperation in Finnish-Russian dialogue’. You can follow the seminar on the Zoom online platform and on YouTube. Webinar time:  Tuesday 15.12.2020 at 9-12 Webinar address: The link will be sent to those who have registered Registrations: By 10 December at https://webropol.com/ep/euregiokarelia Preliminary programme of the event 8:45 - 9:00 Opening of the remote connection 9:00 Opening of the seminar, Timo Korhonen, Chairman of the Kainuu Regional Board 9:10 Greetings and Speech by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland Pekka Haavisto, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland 9:30 Greetings and Speech by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Russia Representative of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Russia 9:50 Statement by the Republic of Karelia Head of the Republic of Karelia Artur Parfenchikov (tbc.) 10:00 Music performance and video greeting: Young people's experiences of cross-border cooperation Madetoja Music High School mixed choir, led by Madetojan…

The Northern Ostrobothnia Regional Youth Regional Assembly held its first meeting on Tuesday, 1 December 2020. Before the actual meeting, Regional Director Pauli Harju welcomed the members of the Regional Youth Regional Assembly to join the joint activities. Harju emphasized working together, understanding and listening. Participation is important, because together we make the county a good place to live. Kosma Rönkä from Oulu was elected Chairman of the meeting. The President of the Regional Youth Regional Assembly and the necessary number of Vice-Presidents for the term of office of the Regional Youth Regional Assembly shall be elected after the adoption of the Code of Conduct. A five-person working group was appointed to prepare the rules of procedure for the Regional Regional Youth Regional Assembly. The working group is chaired by Onni Kuivalla from Kempele. The draft code of conduct will be presented at the meeting of the the Board of the Regional Assembly on 15 February 2021. The Code of Conduct provides for the method, purpose and duties of the regional Regional Youth Regional Assembly, the decision-making and meeting procedure, and other organisation of Regional Youth Regional Assembly activities. The next meeting will be held on 13 April 2021 at 13.30. POPNUVA – involving and influencing young people…

Two specific priorities are identified in this call for applications: 1) increasing the ability of regional and regional stakeholders to apply for funding from the EU's international funding channels and the ability to network internationally, and 2) funding can be directed to measures to correct disturbances and structural changes that increase the region's competitiveness and economic well-being. More detailed information on the AKKE funding page. The application period opens on 7 December 2020 and ends on 22 January 2021.

2020 is an exceptional year. The impact of the coronavirus pandemic is tangible in everyone's lives around the world. For the third time, the theme of the Barents region photography competition is the impact of Coronavirus on the Barents region. The Discover Barents 2020 photography competition is open to everyone. You can participate in the event in cooperation with up to two COVID-19 related images taken in the Barents region. The competition is open until 15 January 2021. The wEnablers will receive cash prizes: I prize 1200 euros, II prize 850 euros, III prize 600 euros. The wEnablers will be selected by an international jury. The information will be published on 5 March 2021 on www.discoverbarents.com and www.barentscooperation.org. WEnablers will be contacted in person if contact details have been provided at the time of entry. In addition to the three photos chosen by the jury, the audience can also like and vote for their favorite on Instagram in cooperation with a hashtag #barents2020. WEnabler of the public vote…

The main railway studio, organised today by the main railway group, focused on improving the efficiency of Finland's transport policy. At the current level, the financial investments made in Finland's transport infrastructure are not sufficient when compared to the importance of the accessibility of Finland as a whole to Finland's national economy. The main line's catchment area generates the majority of Finland's GDP, which is why investments in improving the transmission capacity of the main line are impressive investments. Regional Director Esa Halme, Senior Expert in Transport and Economic Development Policy Päivi Wood and Senior Advisor Juhani Tervala call for Finland to have the courage to prioritise. The main line is a key investment target. The MPs interviewed along the main railway presented arguments for promoting the planning and investment of the main railway and its connections. Many projects are already underway, but in cooperation with a very small budget and a slow schedule. Minister of Transport Timo…

The European Commission has adopted a new Smart Specialisation Partnership on Wireless ICT. The partnership is established on the initiative of the University of Oulu and the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region. Other regions committed to the partnership are Norrbotten from Sweden, Northern Prabant from the Netherlands, Wielkopolska from Poland, Western Greece from Greece and Catalonia from Spain. Discussions on the accession of Flanders (Belgium) and Emilia-Romagna (Italy) are ongoing. The partnership will be placed on a platform related to the renewal of the smart specialisation industry. The partnership aims to enable European leadership in the development and deployment of 5G/6G wireless technologies. In particular, the partnership focuses on the development of health, renewable and sustainable industries, autonomous vehicles and smart urban environments and wireless technology solutions for regions. The partnership will build cooperation and increase joint investment by regional and regional companies. The partnership has been built in the project…