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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…

The population of Northern Ostrobothnia has started to decline for the first time in statistical history. According to Statistics Finland's preliminary data, 418,130 inhabitants lived in the region at the end of 2025. During the year, the population decreased by a total of 201 persons, which corresponds to a change of -0.05 per cent. Demography is particularly due to the deepening of the loss of internal migration. The region of Northern Ostrobothnia lost a total of 1,819 inhabitants in migration to the rest of Finland, which is more than 400 persons more than in 2024 and the biggest migration loss in the history of Northern Ostrobothnia. The exceptionally high level of net immigration in previous years has not led to a permanent settlement of the population in Northern Ostrobothnia. The migration loss between regions consists largely of persons born abroad, i.e. residents who have previously moved to Northern Ostrobothnia from abroad and who have since moved to other regions. ‘The figures are …

The chairmen of the the Board of the Regional Assemblys of mainland Finland met at the Kuntatalo building in Helsinki on 20 January 2026. At the meeting, Johannes Koskinen (SDP) from Häme was elected Chairman of the the Board of the Regional Assemblys. Janne Sankelo (KOK) from South Ostrobothnia was elected as 1st Vice-Chair and Lauri Nikula (KESK) from Northern Ostrobothnia as 2nd Vice-Chair.  – Cooperation between the regions of Eastern and Northern Finland has been effective and close. in cooperation with the same attitude, I approach cooperation between all regions," says Lauri Nikula. The meeting of the chairpersons of the the Board of the Regional Assemblys is a political group for mutual cooperation based on the voluntary nature of the Regional Assemblys, whose term of office is the same as that of the the Board of the Regional Assemblys. – The upheaval in the regional state administration underlines the need to develop regional democracy and its effectiveness. That is why it is important that regional The Regional Assemblys coserve as nationally at different levels. Cooperation between the chairmen of the Regional Boards strengthens the voice and Influencing of the counties in regional policy, says …

The Regional Assembly of Oulu Region is applying for funding from the EU's Regional and Structural Policy Programme Renewing and Skilled Finland 2021-2027. In the context of the upcoming call for applications, the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region will only fund projects that are in line in cooperation with JTF priority 7 “Finland for Just Transition” specific objective 7.1 “Territorially Just Transition for the Relinquishment of Peat”. The application round is open from 26 January to 31 March 2026. A maximum amount of EUR 2 000 000 is planned to be used to finance the applications received in the application round. The maximum amount of funding requested (JTF and State) is 70% development project and up to 70% the total cost of the investment project. Before preparing your application, you should read more about the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 programme document and the content of the above-mentioned specific objective, as well as the Northern Ostrobothnia Fairness Transition Plan. All projects to be funded must implement the programming document and…