news

The Regional Assemblys of Northern Finland have submitted an expert opinion to Parliament's Economic Committee on the Government's proposal to amend the Act on Public Procurement (HE 2/2026 vp). The unions are particularly concerned about the effects of the proposal675 on the municipalities of Northern Ostrobothnia, especially small and sparsely populated areas. The opinion raises three main concerns. These are the 10 percent ownership requirement, the constitutionality of the bill, and an insufficient transitional period. The regions of Northern Finland state that the minimum ownership requirement for affiliated entities in accordance in cooperation with the proposal weakens the operating conditions of small municipalities. It causes significant financial and operational disadvantages for small and medium-sized municipalities. In Northern Ostrobothnia, many municipalities rely on in-house units for ICT, financial administration and catering services, for example. Small municipalities do not have sufficient resources to provide all support services themselves or to tender them out in the market in a cost-effective manner. Change could lead to services…

The Regional Assembly of Oulu Region, in cooperation in cooperation with the City of Oulu, has launched an ERDF project application for the implementation of the ecosystem agreement between the State and the City of Oulu. The content of the Oulu ecosystem agreement consists of the strategic focus areas and spearhead programmes of the Oulu Innovation Alliance for 2021-2027. The application round is open 23.2. – 13 April 2026. Priority axis 1 is open for this call. Innovative Finland and its specific objectives 1.1: Improving research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies, 1.2: Exploiting the benefits of digitalisation for citizens, businesses and public administrations and 1.3: Improving the growth and competitiveness of SMEs and Axis 2: Carbon-neutral Finland and its specific objectives 2.1: Promoting energy efficiency measures and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and 2.3: Promoting the transition to a circular economy. In the project application process, the maximum amount of ERDF funding for sustainable urban development is 2,000,000 euros. ERDF applications…

Approximately EUR 16 million in funding to support the sustainable growth and vitality of the regions (IP AKKE) is available for the implementation of the Eastern and Northern Finland programmes. Funding is provided by the Regional Assembly of South Karelia. The Regional Assembly of South Karelia will organise an IP AKKE information and guidance session on Thursday 5 March 2026 from 9 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. The event will review the content of the application and give practical tips on how to prepare the application and how to use the haeavustys.fi system. The event will be held in Teams and no pre-registration is required. You can join directly from the link. The event will not be recorded, but the presentation materials will be published afterwards on the page Implementation of programmes in Eastern and Northern Finland - Regional Assembly of South Karelia. Further information: Laura Kelhä, Development Manager, tel. 050 385 4016 Programme for Northern Finland

Yesterday and today, MPs from Northern Finland gathered for a meeting of MPs organised jointly by the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region and the City of Oulu. The discussion focused on the effects of the geopolitical situation on logistics projects in the north, and in particular the Rail Nordica project. The interest of all participants in promoting northern transport projects reflects the fact that the issue is indeed common, regardless of the party position. However, Rail Nordica is not just a transport project, but a strategic solution to the changed security environment. Oulu is the node of the TEN-T core network and the logistics centre of the north. Industry's billion-dollar investments need well-functioning and secure pathways to the world. Rail Nordica combines the security, economy and international accessibility of the north and Finland as a whole. Security and security of supply The geopolitical shock has permanently changed Finland's position. If traffic in the Baltic Sea is disrupted, we need functional alternatives…

According to the report, a well-functioning single market remains the foundation of the European economy and the main tool for building sustainable competitiveness. The dismantling of the ten identified internal market barriers is important to improve Europe’s position in a tightening geopolitical context. The report is based on 29 indicators, including market integration, investment growth and business opportunities. Six of the indicators show positive changes in, for example, the recognition of skills between member states and the increase in the number of investments supporting the industrial transformation of the InvestEU‑ programme. In negative indicators, for example, the learning outcomes of 15-year-olds have weakened in PISA surveys, and private investment has decreased relative to GDP. In addition, there are growing labour shortages in the green transition professions. A new phase has been launched in dismantling barriers to the single market, both at EU level and in the Member States. The Single Market Strategy has identified the so-called Terrible Ten barriers, which hamper the environment and which the Commission has set as an urgent priority to remove. Obstacles…

Interreg Aurora's next application rounds for development projects and small projects will open on 9.2.2025. Both application rounds, 8 for development projects and 6 for small projects, are open from 9 February to 9 March 2026. In Aurora's small project application process, action line Specific Objective 1.1 Research and innovation has been closed. In development projects on Sámi Area side, IR funding on the Norwegian side has also been closed. The implementation period of the programme has been extended until 30 June 2029, so it is possible to apply for a further three-year project in this call. More detailed information on the open application rounds. Further information: Interreg Aurora's programme coordinator Niko Auer, niko.auer@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi

The Interreg Aurora Selection Committee decided on the projects to be financed in Trondheim from 21 to 22 January 2026. The Interreg Aurora programme received 33 applications in its seventh round of applications. There were three applications for Sámi Area programme. 15 applicants received a positive funding decision under the Interreg Aurora programme. On Sámi Area programme side, it was decided to submit two applications to the written procedure and the final decisions on them will be made during week 7. Further information: Interreg Aurora's programme coordinator Niko Auer, niko.auer@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi

For us, 2026 is more than one programming year – it is a showcase for the whole region to the world. Oulu2026 offers Northern Ostrobothnia visibility that cannot be bought in cooperation with money, and its effects extend far beyond the cultural field. We have already seen how international travel media stories put our region on the map in a completely new way. Many journalists and tour stakeholders acknowledge that they would not have come here in cooperation without the upcoming European Capital of Culture year. Oulu2026 makes what is everyday life for us something of international interest: Northern nature, distinctive culture, a bold way of doing things and the diverse offerings of the region. And most importantly, it makes the whole region visible, not just the city of Oulu. This is a shared opportunity from Pielavesi to Ranua, from Kuhmo to Hailuoto…

The report, commissioned by the European Commission from the OECD, presents concrete ways to strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of Finland's eastern and northern border ‑ regions. The report was published in Helsinki on 10 December 2025 and supports the Government's ongoing programmes in Northern and Eastern Finland. The report is based on the impact of Russia’s war of aggression, which has weakened cross-border trade and tourism and increased economic and security uncertainty, especially in the border ‑ regions. At the same time, the regions are being challenged by an ageing population, a loss of migration and a tightening geopolitical situation. According to the OECD, the focus of regional development should be shifted even more towards resilience, security of supply and diversification of the economic structure. The key message of the report is that security and resilience should be integrated into all regional development. They are not seen as separate themes, but …

The theme of the January newsletter of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region is tourism. The newsletter highlights different perspectives on tourism in Northern Ostrobothnia. One of the interviewees is Kristiina Hietasaari, Director of Visit Finland, whose interview will be published in advance on the website. The January newsletter will be sent to subscribers on Wednesday 28 January 2026. If you are not already subscribed to the newsletter, join the group. Kristiina Hietasaari, Director of Visit Finland: "Northern Ostrobothnia offers peace and seclusion from everyday life" Tell us about yourself and your trip to tourism as the Director of Visit Finland. Has something surprised you at Visit Finland or its operations? On December 15, 2026, I was employed by Visit Finland for 15 years. I graduated from the Helsinki School of Economics in cooperation with a Master's degree in Economics and Business Administration and worked in marketing communications for the first more than a decade. I work in a media agency as a customer manager and…