16.04.2026
The Regional Assemblys of the North met in Oulu
On Wednesday 15 April, the premises of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region were filled in cooperation in cooperation with good-humored speeches and topical topics for discussion, when the EU project funding authoritys, payers and administrative staff of the Regional Assemblys of Northern Ostrobothnia, Kainuu, Central Ostrobothnia, Lapland and Northern Ostrobothnia gathered around a common table. The purpose of the two-day joint meetings was to strengthen cooperation between the Regional Assemblys, strengthen mutual learning and exchange good practices.
– The Regional Assemblys of the North have tended to meet annually to discuss common issues and learning. Visiting destinations and organisational responsibilities alternate and this year it was our turn, says Development Director of the Regional Assembly of Northern Ostrobothnia Tiina Rajala.
Joint discussions and situational awareness
Wednesday's theme was the situational picture of the northern regions and joint discussions. The most important part of the day was the secretary-general, who led the preparations for the programming period in Eastern and Northern Finland. Hanna Honkamäkilä a presentation on the state of play of preparations for the new programming period 2028-2034. In addition, the implementation of the Structural Funds programme was reviewed during Wednesday and good practices and know-how were exchanged in joint thematic discussions.
– Thematic discussions allow EU project funding authoritys and payers to exchange ideas in cooperation in cooperation with other colleagues performing similar tasks in the Regional Assemblys. Concrete examples, internal operating models and the situation of funding in different regions were discussed. Valuable discussions enable peer learning and exchange of experience between experts, summarizes Development Manager Laura Kelhä.
Project examples from Northern Ostrobothnia – from robotics to learning environments
On Thursday, a group of thirty people got acquainted in cooperation in cooperation with projects co-financed by the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region. The day started in cooperation in cooperation with the Nuvelab research and development environment found at the Linnanmaa campus at Oulu University of Applied Sciences (OAMK). In an open development environment, Nuvelab researches and develops carbon-neutral, energy-efficient and autonomous machines. It provides a testing environment for companies and research decision-making bodies to replace fossil fuel-based solutions in cooperation in cooperation with more sustainable alternatives or to promote the development of zero-emission technologies to mitigate climate change. Nuvelab's RDI activities were presented by OAMK's Development Manager Jukka Säkkinen.
After Nuvelab we moved to OSAO's premises in Kontinkangas to learn more about the school's project development. At the same time, we got to know the Robohoiva learning environment. Project activities and their organisation at OSAO were presented by the Development Manager Hanna Blomqvist and a project expert Marjo Finnilä.
The RoboHoiva learning environment has been developed as part of the RoboSoteLab project (ERDF), co-funded by the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region. The project promoted the use of robotics and smart technology in social and health care education. RoboHoiva is a new kind of learning environment where social and health care students learn to use robotics and smart technology in their own work. During the visit, we got to know the social humanoid robot Miroki and the dog robot that supports nursing. The robots have also undergone preliminary testing in authentic environments and the feedback has been encouraging.
– The places we visited today were inspiring. They increased the practical understanding of the development work carried out in the projects, sums up Laura Kelhä.
Keywords:
county development and financing
