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The letters OULU in pink in front of Tuira, each decorated in honour of the summer and the year of the Capital of Culture.

Front page › news › Rural COOP webinar highlights the key role of rural areas in the green transition

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09.10.2026

Rural COOP webinar highlights the key role of rural areas in the green transition

In english below.

How can the green economy support the sustainable and holistic development of rural areas? This issue was addressed by the Rural COOP project Green Economy as a Driver of Integrated Territorial Development -a webinar organised by the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia as part of the Interreg Europe Rural COOP project.

The webinar brought together participants from across Europe, including Finland, Sweden, Norway, Latvia, Poland, Italy, France, Switzerland, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

José Enrique Garcilazo, keynote speaker at the OECD, said that rural areas are often viewed in terms of population decline and ageing. However, many rural areas play an important role in economic growth and renewable energy production, as well as valuable natural resources. Successful green transition solutions must take into account the diversity of rural areas and build on their own strengths and circumstances. Strengthening local value chains is important to create more value locally from rural natural resources and renewable energy.

The perspective of Northern Ostrobothnia was presented by Ritva Isomäki of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia. He described how the goals of the green economy are promoted in the region through regional development, regional planning, climate work, development funding and cooperation. Strategic objectives become relevant when they lead to concrete actions and involve local actors in their design.

Two practical examples from Northern Ostrobothnia were also presented in the webinar. The BIOTUTO project presented by Peetu Virkkala from the University of Oulu examined the utilisation of agricultural side streams in biogas production and rural business development. The project brought together farmers, municipalities, researchers and companies to identify opportunities and strengthen cooperation related to the regional biogas value chain.

The UTAH2 project, presented by Tuure Haarjärvi, University of Oulu School of Economics, studied the local production and use of hydrogen in Utajärvi. The project combined technological development, business opportunities, infrastructure and the involvement of local people. A key lesson of the project was that major changes do not start big: small projects and pilots can build the skills and collaboration needed for larger investments in the green transition.

The common message from the speakers was clear: a successful green transition requires local participation, cooperation and trust. Rural areas should not only be seen as investment sites for green investments, but as active partners in implementing the transition.

The solutions must be based on the regions' own strengths and needs and create tangible benefits for local businesses and communities. Knowledge and research help identify regional opportunities and reduce uncertainty, but sustainable change also requires dialogue, genuine participation and cooperation with local communities.

The recording of the webinar can be viewed Rural COOP on YouTube Until 7 November 2026.

Webinar presentations can be viewed Rural COOP website, Library section.

 

Rural COOP webinar highlights the key role of rural regions in the green transition

How can the green economy support sustainable and integrated development in rural areas? This question was explored in the Rural COOP webinar Green Economy as a Driver of Integrated Territorial Development, organised by the Council of Oulu Region as part of the Interreg Europe Rural COOP project.

The webinar brought together participants from across Europe, including Finland, Sweden, Norway, Latvia, Poland, Italy, France, Switzerland, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The keynote speaker, José Enrique Garcilazo from the OECD, highlighted that rural areas are often viewed through the challenges of demographic decline and ageing. However, many rural regions continue to generate economic growth, contribute significantly to renewable energy production and possess valuable natural assets. Successful green transition policies must recognise the diversity of rural regions and build on their specific strengths and circumstances. Strengthening local value chains is also important to ensure that rural natural resources and renewable energy create more value locally.

From a regional perspective, Ritva Isomäki from the Council of Oulu Region presented how green economy objectives are being implemented in North Ostrobothnia through regional planning, climate work, development funding and cooperation. Strategic objectives become meaningful when they lead to practical action and local stakeholders are involved in shaping them.

The webinar also showcased two practical examples from North Ostrobothnia. The BIOTUTO project, presented by Peetu Virkkala from the University of Oulu, explored how agricultural side streams can support biogas production and rural business development. The project brought together farmers, municipalities, researchers and businesses to identify opportunities and strengthen cooperation around the regional biogas value chain.

The UTAH2 project, presented by Tuure Haarjärvi from the University of Oulu Business School, examined local hydrogen production and use in Utajärvi. The project combined technology development, business opportunities, infrastructure and community engagement. A key lesson from the project was that big transitions do not start big: smaller projects and pilots can build the capabilities and partnerships needed for larger green transition investments.

Despite approaching the topic from different perspectives, the speakers shared the same central message: a successful green transition requires local participation, cooperation and trust. Rural areas should not be seen merely as locations for green investments but as active partners in making the transition work.

Solutions should build on local strengths and needs and create tangible benefits for local businesses and communities. Data and research can help identify regional opportunities and reduce uncertainty, but lasting change also requires dialogue, meaningful participation and cooperation with local communities.

The webinar recording is available on the Rural COOP YouTube channel until 7 November 2026.

The webinar presentations are available in the Rural COOP project library

Keywords:

rural coop

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