Oulu2026 background and objectives
This page explains the journey of Oulu and its 39 partner municipalities towards becoming the European Capital of Culture 2026, as well as the strategic goals and long-term impacts.
The Bid for the Title
The European Capital of Culture programme has been one of the European Union’s most recognised cultural initiatives since 1985. Oulu City Council decided to bid for Finland’s next European Capital of Culture title in 2017. In the final stage of the competition, Oulu competed against Tampere and Savonlinna.
Oulu was selected as the winner in June 2021 following an international evaluation process that included the Bid Book, a visit by an expert panel and a final presentation.
Building the cultural programme
The Oulu2026 cultural programme comprises approximately 750 productions, united by the overarching theme of Cultural Climate Change and its three sub-themes: Brave Hinterland, Wild City, and Cool Contrasts. The programme has been developed through a series of open calls for proposals between 2019 and 2026.
Oulu Culture Foundation
The Oulu Cultural Foundation is responsible for delivering Oulu2026. Established in 2022, the foundation works to strengthen Oulu’s position as a city of culture and events, support artists and cultural professionals, and contribute to the development of the cultural sector both nationally and internationally.
The foundation works closely with the City of Oulu and a wide network of local, national and international partners to ensure that the benefits of the European Capital of Culture year extend far beyond 2026.
Budget
The total budget for Oulu2026 is €50 million. Funding comes from three main sources:
- €20 million from the City of Oulu
- €20 million from the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture
- €10 million raised through partnerships, projects and other external funding sources
Additional project funding has also been secured from a range of national and international programmes and organisations.
What does Cultural Climate Change stand for?
Oulussa, pelottomassa teknologiakaupungissa Euroopan reunalla, on vuosikymmenten ajan luotu teknologiaa, joka on yhdistänyt ihmisiä. Teknologia on kuitenkin myös katkonut ihmisten välisiä yhteyksiä, rakentanut kuplia ja keskittänyt valtaa. Paitsi yhteen, teknologia on vienyt ihmisiä myös erilleen ja toisiaan vastaan.
Teknologia tarvitsee rinnalleen kulttuuria, joka vahvistaa ihmisen mahdollisuutta omaan ääneen. Kulttuuria, joka yhdistää ihmisiä kuplien, polarisaation ja muiden hajottavien voimien keskellä. Oulu on ja tulee aina olemaan teknologiakaupunki. Tulevaisuudessa haluamme olla myös rohkea kulttuurikaupunki, koska uskomme, että kulttuurilla on merkittävä rooli toivon ja menestyksen luomisessa.
Oulu2026:n main objective as the European Capital of Culture is Cultural Climate Change, that holds three dimensions:
First, we aim to strengthen cultural life across Northern Finland and unlock the full potential of a creative region. In 2026, residents and visitors alike will experience world-class cultural events and artistic encounters.
Secondly, culture creates opportunities for joy, participation and understanding. It encourages us to see the world through other people’s eyes and to engage with different languages, identities, traditions and ways of life.
Third, Cultural Climate Change is also a pathway to creativity, courage and new ideas. It nurtures the sparks that lead to innovation, fresh thinking and future success
Cultural Climate Change starts in the North. Are you ready to be part of it?
Strategic objectives
A Vibrant City
Oulu2026 aims to make Oulu an even more vibrant, creative and welcoming city. Increased cultural activity will attract visitors, new residents and investment, while enhancing the quality of life for those who already call the region home. Growth in tourism and cultural activity will be reflected across the local economy, hospitality sector and urban environment.
Balanced Community
Participation in culture contributes to wellbeing, active citizenship and social cohesion. Oulu2026 seeks to engage new audiences, strengthen community connections and position culture as a key driver of a better future. At the same time, it supports employment and opportunities within the creative industries throughout the region.
Creative Region
Oulu2026 promotes balanced regional development by increasing visibility, investment and opportunities across Northern Finland. The initiative helps improve working conditions for cultural professionals, strengthens the creative economy and raises the profile of Northern Finland both nationally and internationally.
Building the Programme
The Oulu2026 cultural programme is created in collaboration with hundreds of organisations, artists, communities and partners from Finland and across Europe. While most events take place within the Oulu2026 region, international collaborations will also bring the programme to audiences elsewhere in Europe.
This extensive network of partners ensures that new skills, knowledge and ways of working will remain in the region long after the European Capital of Culture year has ended.
The multidisciplinary research team at the Center for Cultural Policy Research Cupore will monitor and evaluate the European Capital of Culture 2026 theme year, the impacts of related activities, and the longer-term impact on Oulu and neighbouring municipalities.
The Oulu2026 cultural programme includes approximately 750 projects, events and artistic productions.
In its European Capital of Culture bid book, Oulu defined the programme’s overarching theme as Cultural Climate Change, with three sub-themes: Bravely on the Edge, Wild City, and The Power of Contrasts. Each theme is anchored by a large-scale flagship project produced by the Oulu Cultural Foundation:
- Brave Hinterland: Risku, a comprehensive programme centred on Sámi culture
- Wild City: Climate Clock
- Cool Contrasts: Underground Clash (working title)
The first open call for programme proposals, launched in spring 2019, attracted 450 submissions, of which around 50 were selected for inclusion in the bid book. Following Oulu’s successful European Capital of Culture bid, the foundation’s board confirmed funding for these projects.
The second open call, held in autumn 2022, received 274 applications from Finland and 20 other countries. From these, the foundation selected 62 new projects to become part of the cultural programme.
A third open call, We Are the Culture, was launched in autumn 2024 to broaden the programme through community-led and participatory projects. Many of these initiatives take place in everyday environments rather than traditional cultural venues, bringing culture closer to people’s daily lives. Most grants awarded through the We Are the Culture programme ranged from €500 to €2,000, while a number of flagship projects received funding of €15,000–€20,000. The open call remains open until September 2026. Although the foundation is no longer able to provide funding for new productions or events in 2026, projects can still apply to become part of the Oulu2026 programme through the open call process.
The Oulu2026 Region
Oulu2026 is far more than a city project. Alongside Oulu, the initiative brings together 39 cities and municipalities across Northern Finland.
Many partner municipalities joined the Cultural Climate Change journey already during the bidding phase, contributing their own cultural programmes and ideas. Together, they create a diverse cultural region of cities, villages, forests, rivers and coastlines, showcasing the richness and diversity of Northern Finland.