14.02.2025
The Regional Assembly of Oulu Region granted more than EUR 48 million in support for the development of the region in 2024
During 2024, the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia granted a total of EUR 48 million to 162 regional development and investment projects under the Regional and Structural Policy Programme. The total cost of the projects will reach EUR 63 million. The largest beneficiary was the University of Oulu, which received ERDF and JTF support totalling EUR 19.8 million for the implementation of development and investment projects. The second largest beneficiary was Oulu University of Applied Sciences and the third was the Joint Municipal Authority for Education OSAO.
The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) allocated a total of EUR 17 million to 62 projects, comprising 33 clusters of projects. ERDF support was allocated to business-oriented RDI activities, such as the development of new methods and services, as well as the utilisation of various development environments and equipment purchases. ERDF support was allocated to, among other things, the development of the 6G test centre and energy efficiency projects contributing to the green transition.
A total of EUR 31 million was allocated to 100 projects under the Just Transition Fund (JTF), which comprised 40 clusters of projects.
JTF support was granted to projects that audit the renewable energy and hydrogen economy, such as the group project ‘Oulu GH2 – Together for a green hydrogen economy in Oulu and Northern Finland’, led by the University of Oulu.
Support was also provided through national funding:
AKKE and AIKOO grants were awarded to six projects, totalling EUR 518 000. Supporting the sustainable growth and vitality of the regions (AKKE) funding was granted to projects that focused on supporting regional RDI activities, managing the local abrupt structural change situation (Pyhäntä), AKKE's contractual cooperation to support the preparation of the Ylivieska, Kalajoki, Nivala employment area, and supporting the launch of the Raahe employment area.
Supporting sustainable growth and vitality in the regions (AKKE) and launching regional innovations and experiments (AIKOO) - funding was granted to the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia for the project "Guidelines for the future of Northern Ostrobothnia". The project supports the interaction and content production of the preparation of the provincial strategy for Northern Ostrobothnia and the new provincial programme 2026-2029, as well as sparring its preparation.
Further information:
Rajala Tiina Heikki Ojala
Head of Regional Development
Tel. +358 40 685 4033 Tel. +358 50 433 3951
