13.01.2025
External evaluation of Northern Finland regional programmes completed
The statutory evaluation of the provincial programmes for Northern Finland was completed in December 2024. Owal Group Oy's external evaluation the realisation and impact of the objectives of the four provincial programmes - North Ostrobothnia, Kainuu, Central Ostrobothnia and Lapland - in 2022-2025 were examined and development recommendations were formulated on the priorities of the future provincial programme. The evaluation also includes development proposals for the provincial programmes to be drawn up for 2026-2029. The proposals include recommendations common to all four provinces as well as provincial recommendations.
Representatives of regional councils, parties involved in the implementation of regional programmes and key stakeholders were extensively consulted. Views were collected through expert and stakeholder interviews, an electronic questionnaire for a wider group of stakeholders, and joint and provincial workshops where the findings of the evaluation were worked on and developed further. The evaluation was carried out by the Owal Group in autumn 2024.
Evaluation results and development proposals
The provincial programme serves as a strategic document that creates a common will and direction for the development of the region. The importance of the programme in the development of the region is well recognised by stakeholders.
The Regional Programme for Northern Ostrobothnia has promoted the green transition and the production of renewable energy, business growth, job creation and innovation. In addition, the programme has supported cluster activities in the region, such as the ICT sector, and the development of local nature and tourism. Of the smart specialisation themes, most EU and state funding has been allocated to digitalisation and new technologies, as well as to low-carbon, material efficiency and the bio- and circular economy in the Northern Ostrobothnia region.
The evaluation found the preparation process for the Regional Programme for Northern Ostrobothnia to be successful and the importance of the programme in the development of the region was well identified. According to stakeholders, the role of the regional programme is primarily to steer the measures of the region and to strengthen the common direction and will. However, the challenge is that some actors do not see the importance of the programme in their work or actively use it.
Therefore, based on the evaluation, the involvement of stakeholders in the preparation and implementation should be increased. In order to increase participation, it was proposed to improve communication, especially on the results and impacts of the provincial programme. As the recognition of achievements and the experience of the usefulness of participation grows, so does the threshold for stakeholders to participate in the preparation of the programme.
In the future, the effectiveness of the programme could be improved by condensing and defining its priorities in a more concrete way. Priorities should also be more focused on the specificities and needs of the different regions of the province. The programme should also better respond to changes occurring during the programming period, for example in the areas of safety, security of supply and climate change.
The effectiveness of the regional programme can be improved by tightening priorities, increasing stakeholder involvement and strengthening the flexibility, future-proofness and cross-regional cooperation of the programmes.
Characteristics of the northern regions
Based on the evaluation, the provincial programmes of Northern Finland have a particularly strong significance in terms of business and advocacy compared to the rest of Finland. Thanks to the regional programmes, funding and project activities are focused on priority areas that are important for the region. Funding has focused on the development of livelihoods.
Thematically, the provincial programmes of Northern Finland focus on industry, energy issues and the availability of labour. In the future, there will be a need to strengthen the advocacy of the interests of Northern Finland, as well as cooperation within and across the region.
Additional information:
manager Sinikukka Pyykkönen, Owal Group Oy, tel. +358 40 846 0846, blueberry(at)owalgroup.com
Ilpo Tapaninen, Strategy Manager, Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, tel. +358 50 301 7546, ilpo.tapaninen(at)pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi
