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The secretariat of the regional cooperation group met on 12 November 2020 in Oulu for a hybrid meeting. Päivi Keisanen from the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region informed the secretariat about the preparation of the EU's regional and structural policy for the 2021-2027 programming period and Timo Lehtiniemi from the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment of Northern Ostrobothnia about the current situation of the rural programme. The results of the project applications of the Northern Ostrobothnia ELY Centre In the October 2020 project application round, 36 applications were submitted to the Northern Ostrobothnia ELY Centre, including three ERDF and 33 ESF applications. The total amount requested is EUR 9.9 million. 17 cross-regional applications were submitted, of which three were submitted as ERDF and 14 as ESF programmes. The total amount requested is EUR 5.3 million. From the COVID-19 recovery package, funding for regional development The Government distributes the re-budgeted allocation powers of the European European European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) (ERDF), the European Union and the State's financial contribution approved in an amending budget to be used for Sustainable Growth…

Interreg programmes finance cross-border projects as part of the European Union's cohesion policy. The new programming period 2021-2027 will also bring in cooperation with it a new Interreg programme covering the northern regions of Finland, Sweden and Norway, including South Ostrobothnia and Ostrobothnia in Finland, Västernorrland in Sweden, Nordland in Norway and Sápmi. The programme area corresponds to the current Interreg North and Interreg Bothia-Atlantica programme areas. By answering a short survey, you can Influencing the selection of development areas where our area can best be further developed. The survey is open until 23 November 2020. Respond to and Influencing the new Northern Interreg program Interreg is a part of the EU's cohesion policy for financing cross border projects. The new Interreg program period will be…

In order to secure the downward migration of salmonids, a construction contract worth over EUR 1.5 million will be launched in Haapakoski, Iijoki, in November. The construction of a downhill migration route is a great example of what can be achieved through extensive cooperation. This project will provide us in cooperation with valuable information and experiences that we can use in our future projects," says CEO Jani Pulli from PVO-Vesivoima Oy. The smolts' downward migration path and catchment device consist of a funnel extending to the upper channel of the power plant, flip-flops placed in the funnel, two catchment cage and two pipes, each in cooperation with a diameter of 1 m. The shorter pipe serves as a water discharge pipe as needed. The longer pipe, 130 m, passes through the heel below the dam to the lower channel of the power plant. This tube allows fish to migrate if they are not caught for research or over-transfers. Downhill walkway is used…

The Regional Assembly of Oulu Region is organising a targeted call for applications under the Finnish Structural Funds programme Leverage from the EU 2014-2020. Applications must meet the objectives and measures of the coronavirus action plan for Northern Ostrobothnia and the European European European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) (ERDF) (ERDF). Before preparing your application, please take a closer look at the Sustainable Growth and Jobs Structural Fund Programme and the Korona Action Plan for Northern Ostrobothnia. More information about applying.

The evaluation of the regional programme has been carried out in cooperation in cooperation with the regions of Northern Finland and the regional development consultancy MDI, which implements the evaluation. The external evaluation of the regional programme is part of the statutory process of implementing the regional programmes. The external evaluation of the current regional programme 2018-2021 will support and guide the preparation of the new regional programme. The evaluation examined the effectiveness and impact of the Regional Programme for Northern Ostrobothnia, the fstakeholders that supported and hindered the achievement of results and impacts, and the findings of the evaluation were translated into actionable development proposals and recommendations. The evaluation was carried out in a way that was common to all the counties, and the results were reported by county. Check out the final report and the key messages and recommendations of the evaluation at the following link: For more information on the evaluation of the regional programme, please contact Ilpo Tapaninen, Planning Manager, tel. +358 50 301 7546.

The strategy work for tourism in Northern Ostrobothnia is underway, and the views of stakeholders in the field have been surveyed to support the work. The survey was conducted in October. The survey was aimed at tourism entrepreneurs, tourism developers, representatives of tourism Regional Assemblys and educational decision-making bodies, and authorities supporting tourism. The response rate of the survey was 47 per cent. %, and 47 responses were received. In particular, the number of open comments in the survey was gratifyingly high. Thank you to all the respondents! We are currently reviewing the results of the survey, and the results will be used to determine the priorities of the tourism development strategy in Northern Ostrobothnia. The themes highlighted in the survey include digitalisation of tourism, cooperation between tourism stakeholders and raising awareness of the region. Further information: Heikki Ojala, Development Manager, tel. +358 (0)50 433 3951 or e-mail.

The RDI stakeholders of the Oulu Region are actively preparing regional, national and international RDI project applications and looking for opportunities to join project consortiums in cooperation with the aim of advancing digitalisation and automation of the agri-food value chains. The topics of interest include, but are not limited to traceability and food safety in food value chains, collection and utilisation of data throughout food value chains, and digitalisation and automation of food production processes. Our region is currently a member of the following Partnerships of the EU's Smart Specialisation Platform for Agri-Food: Traceability and Big Data High Tech Farming Our project…

Northern Ostrobothnia-based research, development and innovation stakeholders are constantly preparing new regional, national and international RDI projects, and are looking for opportunities to join new project groups to promote the digitalisation and automation of agriculture and food. The topics of interest include traceability and food safety in food value chains, data collected through the value chain and its utilisation, as well as the digitalisation and automation of food production processes. Northern Ostrobothnia is currently involved in the following EU Smart Specialisation Agriculture Networks: Traceability and Big Data High Tech Farming The following related projects are also coordinated or implemented in the area: AFarCloud - Aggregate Farming in the Cloud DEMETER Food Trace - Developing the traceability and food safety of Northern Ostrobothnia's food chains Labrobot Ruokariihi - A knowledgeable food economy for Northern Ostrobothnia Seafood Age Response - Low Carbon…

Euregio Karelia is a cooperation area between Northern Ostrobothnia, Kainuu, North Karelia and the Republic of Karelia on the border between Finland and Russia. Euregio Karelia was established by an agreement signed on 24 February 2000 and was the first Euroregion to be established on the land border between the European Union and the Russian The Regional Assembly. This year we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of Euregio Karelia's cooperation. To celebrate the anniversary, we will organise a seminar on 15 December 2020 using remote connections. The seminar will include, among other things, greetings from the Foreign Ministers of Finland and Russia. The programme and registration instructions will be published closer to the date of the seminar. You can follow Euregio Karelia's current events on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EuregioKarelia and the website revamped in October: http://www.euregiokarelia.com/en/events

The state of public finances; How can the municipalities of Northern Ostrobothnia in cooperation withstand? Morning host and facilitator of the discussion is Kimmo Hinno, Mayor of Haapavesi vs. Mayor of Finland, Olli Rehn, Director General of the Bank of Finland The role of municipalities in public finance plans, vs. Permanent Secretary Juha Majanen, Ministry of Finance The creditworthiness of municipalities, Director Heikki Niemeläinen, Municipal Guarantee Centre Afternoon host and facilitator of the discussion is Marjukka Manninen, Director of the The Regional Assembly of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities The complex challenges of forecasting municipal finances, Mayor Päivi Laajalla, City of Oulu Mayor Jouko Manninen, City of Kuusamo Soteteho, Development Manager Sanna Lehtonen, Staff moving from the Regional Assembly of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities to welfare areas, Economic risks and challenges, Negotiating Manager Henrika Nybondas-Kangas, KT Local Government Employers Establishment of the Welfare Area of Northern Ostrobothnia, Director Ilkka Luoma, Northern Ostrobothnia Hospital District County Day resolutions, Regional Assembly …