Oulu will be European Capital of Culture in 2026. Hundreds of artists and cultural actors from Oulu, Finland and across Europe are shaping the culture programme for Oulu and its 39 partner municipalities. The programme will be complemented through one final open call for new projects. The goal is to find diverse cultural ideas, with a broad understanding of what culture can be.
The second round of the We Are the Culture open call was open from 1 January to 30 April 2025. By the deadline, 395 applications were submitted, with a total of €2,441,000 requested in project funding. Applicants will be informed of the results by the end of June.
Heli Metsäpelto, Oulu2026’s Head of Community, expresses her gratitude:
“It’s wonderful to see so many people wanting to be part of the cultural climate change.”
The open call remains open until 31 August 2025
This is the final opportunity to join the official programme of Oulu2026, the European Capital of Culture. You can apply for funding or propose your own event, exhibition or project to become part of the Oulu2026 programme. The call also includes grants supported by the Finnish Cultural Foundation for Sámi artists and by Svenska kulturfonden for projects in Swedish.
When selecting projects, Oulu2026 places particular emphasis on proposals that bring people together and encourage participation.
The full culture programme for Oulu2026 will be published in autumn 2025.
Oulu is European Capital of Culture in 2026
In addition to Oulu, the European Capital of Culture year extends to 39 partner municipalities across Northern Finland. The aim is a permanent cultural climate change—meaning richer, more diverse cultural life and positive transformation across the region. This cultural climate change blends art, culture and technology in unexpected ways, creating encounters and fostering dialogue.
Oulu2026 offers inspiring, sustainable and distinctly European content already before the title year, culminating in an unforgettable 2026.
The Oulu2026 programme is produced by the Oulu Cultural Foundation. Main partners are Pohjolan OP and Kaleva Media.
The Oulu2026 area includes 40 municipalities:
In addition to the city of Oulu, the Oulu2026 area includes: Alavieska, Haapajärvi, Haapavesi, Hailuoto, Hyrynsalmi, Ii, Kalajoki, Kajaani, Kemi, Kempele, Kuhmo, Kuusamo, Kärsämäki, Liminka, Lumijoki, Muhos, Nivala, Oulainen, Paltamo, Pielavesi, Puolanka, Pudasjärvi, Pyhäjoki, Pyhäjärvi, Pyhäntä, Ranua, Raahe, Ristijärvi, Siikajoki, Siikalatva, Sievi, Sotkamo, Suomussalmi, Taivalkoski, Tornio, Tyrnävä, Utajärvi, Vaala, and Ylivieska.
