15.10.2025
The Regional Assembly of Oulu Region joins in making a vitality pledge for 2025
In spring 2025, the results of the national and regional Vitality Barometer were published in Kuopio. Regional Director of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region Jussi Rämet CEO of Northern Ostrobothnia Entrepreneurs Marjo Kolehmainen highlighted the need to Influencing the county's affairs together and to coordinate the objectives of different stakeholders.
The parties committed to the Pledge for Vitality are: Centria, Pohde, Jedu, Entrepreneurs of Central Ostrobothnia, OAMK, OSAO, University of Oulu, Oulu Chamber of Commerce, Regional Assembly of Oulu Region and Entrepreneurs of Northern Ostrobothnia.
The Vitality Pledge will be published and signed in cooperation with the parties involved on 15 October 2025 at an event for the regional municipal management and entrepreneurs of the Entrepreneurs of Northern Ostrobothnia, so-called AreaKujo in Oulu. Subsequently, the goal is to get municipalities and cities together in cooperation with local business Regional Regional Assemblys to draw up a vitality pledge during autumn 2025. The functioning of the cooperation and the development of the vitality of the area can be monitored by means of the Entrepreneurs' Local Government and Vitality Barometer, which is published in alternate years.
“Regionally and locally, the signatories of the Pledge for Vitality commit to engaging in a lively dialogue in cooperation with the business community. The goal is to build local and permanent forums in cooperation with goals and impact. There is also a commitment to promote dialogue between small and large companies. The aim of the whole county is to promote the common objectives of advocacy in cooperation with the representatives of the constituency and thus promote the well-being and success of the companies, communities and residents in the region", sums up the vitality promise of the CEO of Northern Ostrobothnia Entrepreneurs Marjo Kolehmainen.
“The business pledge encourages all stakeholders to work more closely together to strengthen the vitality of the region. Common competitiveness relies on business-friendly decision-making, strong training and support for RDI activities. The Regional Regional Assembly also strives to promote these issues as a regional and national Influencingr and as a regional developer. Our common goal is to bring about concrete and positive changes, especially in the economy, employment and investment", adds the Region Mayor who made a promise of vitality at the seminar of the municipal management of Suomen Yrittäjät. Jussi Rämet Regional Assembly of Oulu Region.
The joint municipal authority for education OSAO, Oulu University of Applied Sciences and the University of Oulu are also involved in making the promise of life.
‘The Joint Municipal Authority for Education OSAO has more than 6000 working life partners. One of the key priorities of OSAO's strategy is the development of working life cooperation. On these foundational pillars, we will continue to strongly develop the region's business sector", says OSAO Director-Rector of the Joint Municipal Authority. Jarmo Paloniemi.
"OAMK commits to continue the development of the area in close cooperation in cooperation with companies and communities. We train experts for the needs of the internationalising business community. Our RDI activities create new solutions and business in the region", says the President and CEO of Oulu University of Applied Sciences Heidi Fagerholm.
‘The Energy Pledge reminds us that the development of the region requires the continuous cooperation of a large number of stakeholders in the region. The University of Oulu trains experts and offers a wide range of cooperation opportunities for companies and various organisations. Through us you can find experts, students, research equipment and environments. In addition, we offer tailor-made research and training services. Our goal is for knowledge and expertise to be refined into solutions that strengthen the vitality, competitiveness and well-being of our region," says the Rector of the University of Oulu. Arto Manninen.
The Life Promise 2025
We will strengthen the competitiveness of Northern Ostrobothnia.
We build business-friendly decision-making.
We develop training and RDI activities.
We create sustainable growth and well-being in our region.
Organisations and persons who have signed the Life Promise 2025:
Centria, Rector/CEO Tapio Huttula
Pohde, Director Ilkka Luoma/ Chairman of the Regional Board Mirja Vehkaperä
Jedu, Director of the Joint Municipal Authority Matti Väänänen
Entrepreneurs of Central Ostrobothnia, CEO Anna Kotamäki
OAMK, Rector Heidi Fagerholm
OSAO, Rector Jarmo Paloniemi
University of Oulu, Rector Arto Manninen
Oulu Chamber of Commerce, CEO Jari Tuovinen
Regional Assembly of Oulu Region, Regional Director Jussi Rämet
Northern Ostrobothnia Entrepreneurs, CEO Marjo Kolehmainen
Further information:
Marjo Kolehmainen, Managing Director, Entrepreneurs of Northern Ostrobothnia, tel. +358 50 5277 288
Jussi Rämet, Regional Director, Regional Assembly of Oulu Region, tel. +358 40 586 3877
Rector Arto Manninen, University of Oulu, tel. +358 294 484 084
Rector Heidi Fagerholm, OAMK, tel. +358 20 611 0200
Rector Jarmo Paloniemi, OSAO, tel. +358 50 5383 929
