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Figure: Regional Assembly of Oulu Region. Iijoki Kurjenkoski Putikkasaari small-child production areas. 25.11.2025 A comprehensive restocking programme for small juveniles of salmon and sea trout has been drawn up in the Iijoki river basin. The programme gathered up-to-date information on the suitability of different sites for the planting of small juveniles. in cooperation with the help of restocking, salmon fish stocks stigmatised in the Iijoki River and its tributaries are formed in the area. Extensive surveys were carried out for the planting programme in Iijoki, Livojoki, Pärjänjoki and Loukusanjoki. In addition, expert and literary knowledge was utilized. For each site, the location, the size of the nursery area, an estimate of the nursery production and accessibility by different means of transport are presented. The programme also determines flow rates, hail sizes and depth variations of river beds, and assesses shading, coastal vegetation, benthic fauna and aquatic vegetation. “The Iijoki main channel surprised positively, as did most of the tributaries. Locally, challenges were identified in the Livojoki river in terms of solid load. Some of the sites surveyed identified opportunities for juvenile production…

  The Regional Assembly of Oulu Region has awarded the Northern Ostrobothnia Act of Wellbeing 2025 to the City of Nivala for its long-term work promoting communality and mental resilience to crises. The award was announced on Friday 21 November 2025 at the Northern Ostrobothnia Welfare Forum in Ii under the theme "Change Now - Well-being communities and mental resilience". The award was received by Mayor Päivi Karikumpu, Director of Welfare Timo Alatalo and Welfare Coordinator Meri Vähäkangas. “We have committed staff and a strong collaborative network. This recognition encourages the continuation of the same work, together in cooperation with the residents", said Päivi Karikumpu. Nivala, the city of active villages, was selected for the award thanks to its diverse and strategic work to strengthen the sense of community. The main reasons for choosing Nivala were the active role of the villages, long-term project activities and multidisciplinary cooperation. Town of Villages…

The Finnish Government today submitted to Parliament a proposal for an amending budget for 2026. The proposal secures funding for both the Liminka-Oulu double track and the launch of passenger traffic from Oulu to Haparanda. A total of EUR 209 million is proposed for the construction of the double track and EUR 1.9 million for purchasing traffic from Oulu to Haparanda. “This is a very important project for Northern Finland and even nationally on the Finnish main line. The implementation of the project will promote the competitiveness of the whole of Northern Finland and the regional structure of the Oulu region," says Jussi Rämet, Regional Director of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region. The double track is also very important for security of supply when the world situation has changed. Rämet points out that all of Finland's land transport connections are formed to the west via Northern Finland, which is why the main route connections are particularly important. “Developing the Liminka-Oulu interval is a matter of common concern for the whole of the North”, Rämet adds. The county manager also thanks everyone…

  In June, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) published a regional profile of Northern Ostrobothnia, Enhancing Regional Mining Ecosystems in Oulu Region, Finland. The report examines the regional potential to strengthen the green transition, secure access to critical raw materials and develop sustainable mining. The regional profile provides a clear plan for the region to strengthen its extractive ecosystem in a sustainable and inclusive way. The report provides concrete recommendations to the region in five areas: policy orientations, governance, labour market, innovation and circular economy, and infrastructure. The report highlights the extractive strategy as a necessary regional policy orientation. It is recommended that a clear regional extractive strategy be drawn up for Northern Ostrobothnia, linking local and national objectives. It is also proposed to strengthen cooperation between different levels of government, especially in permitting processes and environmental assessments. Content of recommendations Mining needs…

The new Europe Direct network in Finland will start operating at the beginning of 2026. In January 2026, nine Europe Direct information centres will start operating in Finland. Eight of the relays will continue to serve as from the previous term of office, including the Europe Direct Northern Ostrobothnia relay, under the auspices of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region. The Europe Direct Centres, part of the European Commission's communication network, are tasked in cooperation with bringing the European Union closer to its citizens, raising awareness of the EU's activities and promoting participation in EU affairs. Seven of the information points serve as as part of the Regional Assemblys. They are located in Kajaani, Kuopio, Lahti, Mikkeli, Oulu, Rovaniemi and Seinäjoki. Hamina's and Kankaanpää's points are hosted by Leader groups. The relays serve as an easy-to-approach contact point in their region for Europe, where residents can get reliable information about the EU and where…

The Northern Ostrobothnia Regional Assembly Award 2025 is awarded to the Oulun Tervaporvarien Nuorkauppakamari. The award is given to the Youth Chamber of Commerce for the development and implementation of the VIBEs project and concept that promotes mental health work among young people. This year's theme was Youth, Future and Hope. The selection emphasised in particular the cross-border dimension and effectiveness. The award-winning Regional Assembly receives 1,000 euros to support its operations. “We would like to thank the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region for this valuable recognition. We want to show that well-being belongs to everyone and that there are many paths to it. At this point, I would like to thank the entire VIBEs team for their tremendous work and dedication. Our mission is to be the adults who care and the community that stops to listen. VIBEs is our way of saying: all kinds of vibet are allowed", comments project manager Tyttilotta Aaltoosto. Oulun…

The Northern Ostrobothnia Regional Board has awarded the Northern Ostrobothnia Prize to Matti Pörhö, Commercial Counsellor, for his outstanding life's work, which has made Northern Ostrobothnia known and strengthened its identity. "Thank you and a deep bow! I am particularly honored by the award given to me today by the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region. I particularly appreciate it because it is a recognition of the long work that has been done for our region. I would therefore like to thank everyone who has been involved in the decision-making process", says Matti Pörhö. Matti Pörhö, the Trade Counsellor who won the Northern Ostrobothnia Prize 2025, is a familiar Oulu resident. He has been CEO of Pörhön Autoliike Oy from 1987 to 2022 and Chairman of the Board since 1987. He has served and continues to serve as CEO and/or Chairman of Suomen Tool Oy, Pörhö Kiinteistö Oy, Pörhö Invest Oy…

The new, free, nationwide Culture Bank service is now opening in Northern Ostrobothnia and Oulu. Culture Bank is an online platform that brings together professionals in art and culture and their services in one place – making them easy to find and book for those who need cultural services. The goal of Culture Bank is to improve the earning opportunities of professional artists and cultural creators. For clients, it provides an easy way to find and purchase cultural services for their own purposes – such as performances, workshops, and expert services. Physical artworks, such as paintings, are not offered through…

Launched in spring 2025, the Interreg Europe-funded Rural COOP project brings together stakeholders from across Europe to strengthen the development of rural areas and share good practices. The project supports the vitality, cooperation and sustainable growth of rural areas by providing opportunities to learn from other regional developers and apply the doctrines to their own regional needs. The main partner of the project consortium is the Provincia autonoma di Trento from Italy and, in addition to the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region, the consortium has partners from Poland, Bulgaria, Sweden, Switzerland and Albania. Each project partner has its own, regional, stakeholder group, which is closely involved in the direction of project activities. Stakeholder work is open and it is open to all interested stakeholders in Northern Ostrobothnia! The Regional Stakeholder Group for Northern Ostrobothnia met for the first time in the last week of October. Stakeholders are: Ii Municipality Muhos Municipality NIHAK (Nivala-Haapajärvi…

The new free-of-charge and nationwide operating Cultural Bank will open in Northern Ostrobothnia and Oulu. Culture Bank is an online platform that brings together art and culture professionals and their services in one place and where they can be easily found and ordered for customers in need of cultural services. The aim of the Cultural Bank is to increase the earning opportunities of professional artists and cultural creators. For subscribers, it offers an easy way to find and acquire cultural services for their own purposes – for example, performances, workshops and various professional services. On the other hand, physical works, such as paintings, cannot be offered through the Cultural Bank. In Northern Ostrobothnia, the Cultural Bank together pays for and enables the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region and the City of Oulu's cultural and cultural services. The Cultural Bank is an investment in the Oulu2026 Capital of Culture year and its core objective, cultural climate change. All parties are invited to join…