The Oulu2026 Progress Report for 2023: Overview of Programme Projects

Oulu, together with 39 partner municipalities, will be the European Capital of Culture in 2026. Cupore is conducting research and evaluation on the Oulu2026 project from 2022 to 2027.

[1] City of Oulu (2021). Cultural Climate Change. Oulu’s Journey Towards Cultural Climate Change. Oulu, applicant for the European Capital of Culture 2026. Referenced hereafter as the Bid Book, 2021.

Contents

1. STRUCTURE AND DATA OF THE REPORT
2. OVERVIEW OF THE OULU2026 REGION IN 2023
3. PROGRESS IN THE LIGHT OF QUANTITATIVE INDICATORS IN 2023
4. CONTENT AND OFFERINGS
5. OPERATING CONDITIONS IN THE ARTS AND CULTURE DOMAIN
6. SPACES
7. PARTICIPATION AND INCLUSION
8. COMMUNITY AND WELL-BEING
9. REPUTATION AND IMAGE
10. TOWARDS CULTURAL CLIMATE CHANGE: PERSPECTIVE OF THE AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME PROJECTS
11. SUMMARY: OULU2026 ACTIVITIES IN 2023

Sources

1. STRUCTURE AND DATA OF THE REPORT

The progress report is based on the seven interrelated themes described in the baseline report (Figure 1).

The themes are content and offerings, operating conditions in the arts and culture domain, spaces, participation and inclusion, community and well-being, reputation and image, and the development of Cultural Climate Change. These themes focus on the Oulu2026 activities. The report describes the progress of the Oulu2026 activities for each theme in the year 2023.

Additionally, indicators that broadly reflect the economic, social and cultural development of the Oulu2026 region are monitored.

Overall, the research and evaluation work is based on a comprehensive dataset. However, not all data will be available before the implementation of the ECoC year.

The data for the progress report covering the year 2023 is presented in Table 1. The key data is derived from the Oulu Culture Foundation, specifically relating to new projects approved for the Oulu2026 programme. The 2023 monitoring focuses on the programme content and how the selected projects align with the objectives set for the Oulu2026 activities.

Additionally, the report makes use of previous research on ECoCs, observation material, written material, data from the municipalities involved in Oulu2026, as well as statistical data for the year 2023. More detailed sources are referenced in the results sections of the progress report.

Figure 1. Themes in the monitoring and evaluation framework of Oulu2026.

Table 1. Data for the 2023 progress report.

2. OVERVIEW OF THE OULU2026 REGION IN 2023

This section provides an overview of the development of the Oulu2026 region based on the available statistical data for 2023. Not all data covering the themes are comprehensively available on an annual basis, particularly with regard to indicators related to economic development. These figures will be updated in future progress reports.

In 2023, the Oulu2026 region consisted of a total of 40 municipalities (Figure 2). Compared to the previous year, the number of municipalities increased by one, as the rural municipality of Ranua joined in 2023.

In the tables, statistical data is presented separately for Oulu and other urban municipalities, semi-urban municipalities and rural municipalities. This classification is based on Statistics Finland’s statistical grouping of municipalities.

In 2023, six of the Oulu2026 municipalities were urban, 11 were semi-urban and 23 were rural. In 2023, the municipality of Sotkamo, which was classified as rural the previous year, was included among the semi-urban municipalities.

Changes in the Oulu2026 region and municipal groupings must be taken into account when comparing to the previous year. For example, the total population of the Oulu2026 region has increased due to the new Oulu2026 municipality, although the population of the municipalities within the region is on the decline (with an average change of -0.8%).

Figure 2. The Oulu2026 region in 2023.

Social development

Table 2 presents indicators reflecting social development and their changes in the Oulu2026 region in 2023.

There have been no significant changes during the year. The main trends in the region include negative net migration among young adults, as well as an increase in youth unemployment and the share of foreign-language and foreign-background populations, particularly in Oulu. Overall, these trends reflect broader societal changes related to urbanisation, the ageing population especially outside growth centres, and the increasing share of foreign-background population.

Table 2. Social development: situation in the Oulu2026 region in 2023.

*One new rural municipality (Ranua) joined the Oulu2026 region in 2023. In addition, Sotkamo changed from a rural municipality to a semi-urban municipality between 2022 and 2023. The data for these municipal groups are not comparable.
**For data related to youth unemployment, a threshold of 5 is applied in the Sotkanet service maintained by THL, below which observation counts are not available. As a result, data for Hailuoto, Pyhäntä, and Ristijärvi are missing from the average for 2022, and data for Hailuoto and Ristijärvi are missing for 2023.

Economic development

Table 3 presents indicators of economic development and their changes in the Oulu2026 region in 2023.

These data were only somewhat available by the end of 2024, primarily because local-level business statistics are updated slowly. Economic development indicators will be more comprehensively updated in future progress reports.

For 2023, the situation and changes can be examined in terms of the number of tourists arriving at accommodation establishments in Oulu and the number of overnight stays.[1] Both showed an upward trend compared to the previous year. The number of tourists increased by nearly nine percent and overnight stays by seven percent. The number of tourists grew for both domestic (8.9%) and international (6.8%) visitors. However, there was a slight decline in overnight stays for international tourists (-1.9%).

Table 3. Economic development: tourists in the Oulu2026 region in 2023t.

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[1] There are limitations in the data sources, including whether a municipality has sufficient number of accommodation establishments to be included in the data collection. For this reason, the figures are reported only for Oulu.

Cultural development

Table 4 presents indicators of cultural development and their changes in the Oulu2026 region in 2023. As with previous themes, not all indicators of cultural development are available for the monitoring year.

There were no changes in state-subsidised arts and cultural institutions between 2022 and 2023. State subsidies for these institutions increased slightly compared to 2022, due to a rise in unit prices.

For the first time in this progress report, we provide more detailed information on Taike’s (Arts Promotion Centre Finland) funding and applicant data for municipalities in the Oulu2026 region. The data is based on a separate extraction. The analysis does not include prize recipients or those who have previously received multi-year grants, but the granted sums include both grants and awards of varying durations that were paid during the year.

In 2023, there was a slight increase in the total grants, subsidies and award amounts from Taike compared to the previous year, particularly in Oulu and other urban municipalities in the region. In other municipalities, the granted sums were on a downward trend. However, there were no significant changes in the number of applicants, recipients or the share of total granted sums.

Table 4. Cultural development: situation in the Oulu2026 region in 2023.

*One new rural municipality (Ranua) joined the area in 2023. In addition, Sotkamo changed from a rural municipality to a semi-urban municipality between 2022 and 2023. The data for these municipal groups are not comparable.
** Does not include prizes or previously awarded multi-year grants.
*** The 2022 data has been corrected for one figure that was missing from the state-funded museum (Raahe Museum).

3. PROGRESS IN THE LIGHT OF QUANTITATIVE INDICATORS IN 2023

Each theme of Cupore’s monitoring and evaluation framework (see Figure 1 above) includes both quantitative indicators and in-depth qualitative analyses. The data for the quantitative indicators come from several sources, not all of which are updated annually, and some of the information is only available in the ECoC year. Table 5 presents the situation in 2023 for those themes and indicators for which data were available.

In 2023, the number of programme projects increased, as new projects were selected in the second open call. As a result, the number of actors participating in the Oulu2026 programme also grew: in 2023, there were 688 actors involved in programme projects and those selected from second open call at the planning stage.

The bid book sets the goal that 80% of programme projects is implemented via international collaboration and 50% take place outside established cultural facilities. In the 2023 programme projects overall, these goals were well achieved, as 89% of projects (from the bid book and second open call) were planned to be implemented via international collaboration and 87% to take place either entirely or partially outside established cultural facilities.

Table 5. Progress in light of quantitative indicators in 2023.

* For the projects selected from the second open call, information on planned international collaboration in Europe (Are there partners or implementers from other European countries).
** For the projects selected from the second open call, the actors are counted from the following columns of the application form: Applicant; Key project implementers / working group members; Local and national partners; European partners. Duplicates have been removed. Different branches within municipalities and different faculties within universities are counted as a single actor (municipality/university), excluding arts and cultural institutions, which are counted separately, even if they are municipal. Networks are counted as a single actor, unless the members of the network are specifically listed as actors in the application. Unspecified actor groups, such as local artists or educational institutions, are not included in the count.

4. CONTENT AND OFFERINGS

Cultural offerings are at the heart of the European Capital of Culture initiative. Culture serves as a means to develop municipalities and regions socially, culturally and economically.

The vision of the Oulu2026 cultural programme is shaped by inspiration, sustainability and Europeanness. According to the bid book, the programme’s artistic vision is based on three cornerstones: 1) sustainability, 2) new arenas and audiences and 3) the renewal of the cultural system, de-institutionalising and de-centralising cultural activities (Bid Book, 2021). This section outlines the development of the Oulu2026 programme in 2023 and the integration of sustainability within the programme.

Development of the Oulu2026 Programme in 2023

The Oulu2026 programme has evolved through several phases and extensive collaboration. By 2023, 51 projects from the bid book had been included. In addition, 62 new projects were selected from the second open call held at the end of 2022. A total of 63 applications were accepted. (Figure 3.) This section focuses on these new programme projects.

Figure 3. Formation of the Oulu2026 programme.

The second open call sought particularly large projects that require a longer preparation or implementation period.[2] The primary focus of the projects was on the ECoC year, but they could begin in the preceding years, thus creating impact and change in the region. The call did not fund the established core activities of organisations and actors; instead, applicants were encouraged to propose programmes that complement and advance their usual operations.

A diverse range of projects was selected from the second open call, reflecting a variety of focus points . Figure 4 shows the focus points of the selected projects, based on the information provided in the application forms.

Figure 4. Focus points reported by the projects selected from the second open call (n=63).

Most of the selected projects focus on the merger between nature and art. These projects highlight various environmental and community art initiatives. Nature is presented as a subject of art (e.g., the KulttuuriKauppila and Northern AiR network residency programme), as the focus of activity (e.g., the creation of rock art on the rock walls of Zeniitin Aurinkojärvi), and as an art and cultural space (e.g., Solstice at the Ruka peak, Vesivoimalaitokset opera series).

Common focus points also include creative spaces. Projects selected under this focus area identify development sites and operational contexts such as Pikisaari, the courtyard of Villatehtaat, the K2 Artist House and the Bio Huvimylly.

Fewer than ten projects selected from the second open call chose the development of festivals, art & technology, food culture or tar & sea as their focus points. In the projects focused on festival development, emphasis is placed on regional, national and international collaboration between professional artists, the development of productions for example as hybrid productions, and public events.

Projects with an art & technology focus highlight both the content development in the arts sector and the development of structures and networks. Projects focused on food culture aim to promote the region’s culinary heritage, the value of local ingredients, and to revitalise Oulu2026’s traditional recipes. Projects that have selected tar & sea as their focus highlight not only the tradition of wooden sailing ships and tar, but also the preservation of the region’s maritime cultural heritage and the sharing of expertise with future generations.

Other priorities mentioned include the development of craft culture, sauna culture, cultural history, community and diversity, as well as the fact that the project relates to multiple given focus point options.

In addition to the focus points, applicants in the second open call were asked to select a theme for their project. The options were three programme themes already presented in the bid book: Brave Hinterland, Cool Contrasts and Wild City. Most projects selected in the open call belong to the Brave Hinterland theme. The rarest theme among the selected projects from the 2022 open call as well as the projects from the bid book is Cool Contrasts.

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[2] Oulu2026 website, How to apply for the programme call? [accessed 25 August 2022.]

Sustainability in the Oulu2026 programme

Sustainability is one of the three artistic visions of the cultural programme mentioned in the Oulu2026 bid book. According to the bid book, “[t]he cultural programme emphasises social, cultural, economic and ecological sustainability.” Sustainability and sustainable development are central to the Oulu2026 activities and are mentioned 46 times in the bid book when examined by keyword.

This section describes how sustainable development is approached in the plans of the programme projects selected from the second open call. The basis for the analysis are the responses and justifications to the application form’s question regarding how environmental impacts and sustainability have been considered in the project. The justifications were analysed content-wise, and the methods identified were categorised according to the thematic areas of sustainable development (ecological, social, economic, cultural).

All of the projects selected from the second open call address ecological sustainability in one way or another. Forty percent of the projects consider aspects related to cultural sustainability, just over a quarter focus on social sustainability, and one-sixth address economic sustainability. The methods used by the programme projects to support the sustainability transition are concrete and particularly diverse in terms of ecological sustainability.

It is important to note that actions and thematic areas aimed at sustainable development often overlap. Thus, an action aimed at one thematic area of sustainable development may also address issues from other thematic areas, and numerical assessments do not necessarily provide an accurate picture of the actions’ impact on the sustainability transition. For example, minimising waste, emissions and pollution, as well as resource-wise material use, can simultaneously impact economic sustainability both in the short and long term, from the local to the national and international levels. Promoting active transportation encourages ecological sustainability and social sustainability by encouraging mobility. Focusing on local products, local food and local actors can, at best, support all areas of sustainability by reducing transportation and developing the local economy, employment, and the local arts and culture sector.

Table 6. Analysis of the dimensions of sustainable development in the plans of the projects selected from the second open programme call.

5. OPERATING CONDITIONS IN THE ARTS AND CULTURE DOMAIN

Operating conditions form a broad entity, which includes, for example, the diverse sources of income and funding for arts and cultural actors, training and expertise, collaboration, venues and audience base. Developing the operating conditions as part of the European Capital of Culture activities promotes the implementation of activities and creates the foundation for the long-term development of the sector even after the ECoC year.

This section focuses first on the new programme projects funded through the second open call (see Figure 3 above), the project implementers, and their operating conditions and collaboration plans. Additionally, it provides an overview of the progress made in 2023 by the so-called capacity building projects, which focus on developing the expertise of cultural actors and their operational and revenue models.

Implementers of the projects funded in the second open programme call

A total of 62 new programme projects were selected from the second open call (see Figure 3 above) to receive funding from Oulu2026 for their implementation. The funding contributes to the development of the operating conditions for the project implementers.

The selected programme projects were required to be ready for implementation and to be carried out independently, supported by the granted funding. The funding provided by Oulu2026 for the selected programme projects generally covers no more than 50% of the total project budget. Therefore, the project implementers are also required to secure additional funding to carry out their projects.

The majority of the projects selected from the second open call are being implemented by actors from the third sector. The largest group (36 projects) consists of organisations and associations. The next largest group of project implementers includes businesses (11), public organisations (9) and working groups (4). Among the other funding recipients, there is one cooperative, foundation and private individual.

A total of 4.2 million euros was granted to the projects selected from the second open call. This amount represents approximately one-third of the total sum requested by the selected projects (around 11 million euros).

Geographically, the funding granted in the second open call was predominantly focused on Oulu-based actors. Just under half (28 projects, 44%) of the selected project implementers listed Oulu as their place of residence. These actors received around half of the granted funding. A third (21 projects) of the selected project implementers are from other Oulu2026 municipalities. These actors received about a quarter of the granted funding. Fewer of the project implementers are from other parts of Finland (11 projects) or from abroad (3 projects). (Figure 5.) It is important to note that the residence of the project implementer does not indicate the area in which the actual project will be carried out.

Figure 5. The reported places of residence of the programme projects funded in the second open call (n=64, one project reported two places of residence: Oulu and Other Finland).

Collaboration and interaction among arts and culture actors

In the second open programme call, applicants were asked how their project fosters interaction .

Based on the responses, all of the selected programme projects, with one exception, believe that the project promotes interaction among people who make art and culture. Nearly all of these projects focus on fostering communication between professional artists and other professionals in the arts, culture and creative sectors, either across multiple disciplines or within a single art field. Some individual projects also mention promoting interaction between professionals and enthusiasts, students, or, for example, local community groups.

The majority of the projects selected from the second open call also stated that their project promotes interaction between different fields of culture, art and science (59 projects), as well as between different industries and operating practices (57).

Science and art are combined in projects through, among other things, technology and digitalisation. Natural sciences and environmental perspectives are also represented in many of the projects. The goals of these projects include, for example, popularising science through art. The projects also make use of methods from fields such as folklore studies and anthropology, and aim to build connections between contemporary artists and archaeologists.

Twenty-two projects reported promoting other forms of interaction. These include, among other things, interaction with the audience and art consumers, interaction within local communities between different actors, interaction between humans and nature, and collaboration and interaction between municipal organisations.

In total, the selected projects combine various sectors and methods of operation according to their plans. Collaborations are taking place with educational institutions, welfare organisations, tourism and accommodation businesses, as well as technology companies. Many projects focus on food culture, with local farmers and other food producers involved. The projects are developing new technological solutions for presenting and experiencing art, other innovative concepts for presenting art, and new spaces or networks for collaboration and interaction. The fact that people from diverse backgrounds and starting points collaborate in these projects often leads to new perspectives and ways of working.

The projects selected from the second open call for proposals include plans for extensive international cooperation. Almost all of the selected projects (60 in total) involve partners or members from other European countries. In the majority of projects (41), plans also include artist exchange programmes or tours across Europe. (Figure 6.)

Figure 6. Partners and planned artist exchange programmes or tours across Europe in the projects selected from the second open call for proposals (n=63).

Information on collaboration and interaction among arts and culture actors in 2023 was also gathered through background discussions with local stakeholders in Oulu, Kemi, Tornio, Kajaani, Sotkamo and Kuhmo (see data in Table 1). According to these discussions, stakeholders in all the municipalities saw Oulu2026 as an important collaboration project.

Arts and culture actors as well as local government representatives in different locations raised a variety of perspectives on collaboration with Oulu2026. Some actors found the collaboration with Oulu2026 to be smooth and fruitful. These practitioners viewed Oulu2026 as a partner that enables the development of new content for the organisations’ activities in the year 2026. Other actors, however, criticised the structures, objectives and methods of cooperation with Oulu2026. These stakeholders felt that the strong sense of community and joint development experienced during the bidding stage had diminished by 2023, and that the activities were not very visible in the smaller Oulu2026 municipalities. The discussions highlighted the need for a stronger presence of Oulu2026 and the Oulu Culture Foundation throughout the region. The limited staffing resources in the participating municipalities and the individual nature of the network relationships associated with Oulu2026 activities were also identified as a challenge.

Differences in perspectives among stakeholders were not related to specific locations or types of actors. Instead, the role of the stakeholders within the Oulu2026 activities may partly explain these differences in views: those involved in the activities have a better understanding of the initiative and tend to view it more positively compared to those who were not part of the planned cultural programme in 2023.

New operational and income models for competence and capacity development of cultural actors in the Oulu2026 programme

Capacity building is a key component of Oulu2026 activities. As part of the Oulu2026 cultural programme, the capacities of the programme organisers as well as broader local vitality are promoted. For example, projects selected in the second open call for proposals are required to have a broad impact, generating unique experiences, lasting changes or new operational models.[3]

Alongside the cultural programme, Oulu2026 activities include projects aimed at strengthening the operational conditions for cultural and creative sector actors in the region. These so-called capacity building projects highlight the central importance of developing the operating conditions as part of Oulu2026 activities. Some programme projects are also part of capacity building projects. Capacity building projects have been implemented since 2018, even before the official designation of the Capital of Culture in 2021.

By 2023, 19 capacity building projects had been implemented (see Table 6).[4] These projects focused on building capabilities for the ECoC activities, applying for funding and implementing various thematic lines within the cultural programme. Additionally, new operating models were created for developing the region’s cultural offerings and the revenue models of practitioners.

In 2023, 25 capacity building projects were underway (see Table 7).

Among them were several new multi-year projects, involving extensive collaboration with, for example, municipalities and educational organisations. These include the Filmiapaja project, a collaboration between the Arts Promotion Centre and the Oulu Culture Foundation, which brought together expertise in audiovisual arts, writers and screenwriters, and aims to create fresh stories rooted in the northern context.[5] The KUDOS project, involving the cities of Oulu, Jyväskylä, Kuopio and Lahti, focuses on a co-development model aimed at enhancing the digital capabilities of municipal cultural activities.[6]

In 2023, the Oulu Culture Foundation also launched the Oulu2026 Academy, through which the expertise of cultural practitioners, as well as their operational and revenue models, are developed through various training and collaboration initiatives. Many of the capacity building projects that were ongoing in 2023 will continue in the coming years. Additionally, entirely new projects focusing on expertise development will be launched, which will be examined in future progress reports.

Table 7. Capacity building projects focused on expertise development within Oulu2026 activities that were ongoing or completed in 2023.

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[3] Oulu2026 website, How to Apply for the Programme Call? [accessed 25 August 2022.]

[4] The baseline report for 2022 identified 15 capacity building projects that were implemented before 2023. New data from this monitoring report includes information on three additional completed projects (Elämysten tapahtumamaakunta, Kaupunginosataiteilijat, Väylät auki – Pohjois-Pohjanmaan luova talous Euroopan kartalle, Kulttuuripääkaupunki kansainvälistymisen ja elinvoiman edistäjänä). Sources for Tables 6 and 7: Oulu2026 bid book, information requests from the Oulu Culture Foundation and the City of Oulu, Oulu2026 website and Oulu City Project Portfolio (10 October 2024).

[5] https://www.taike.fi/fi/projektit/filmiapaja [accessed 9 December 2024.]

[6] https://www.ouka.fi/kudos [accessed 9 December 2024.]

6. SPACES

Spaces, places and infrastructure are a central part of the implementation of the ECoC activities. Oulu2026 includes several projects that are particularly linked to the development of spaces and infrastructure. Furthermore, spaces and places play a crucial role in many of the projects within the cultural programme and in the activities of the Capital of Culture year.

Through the ECoC initiative, spaces and places for culture are being created for the future. The Capital of Culture year aims to renew and expand the concept of the types of spaces and places where cultural activities are organised and where people can experience culture. This helps promote, for example, the accessibility and availability of cultural activities, i.e., where culture is offered and how people can participate. The development of spaces is also strongly linked to strengthening the operating conditions for cultural actors.

This section describes the status of 20 investment projects listed in the bid book at the end of 2023. Additionally, it examines the spaces and places of projects selected in the second open call for proposals. The latter examination is based on the projects’ plans at this stage, rather than actual implementation, which will be reviewed in future reports.

Description of construction projects included in Oulu2026 activities

The goal of Oulu2026 is to renovate and repurpose new spaces for cultural use, thereby updating the cultural infrastructure. The Oulu2026 bid book lists a total of 20 investment projects supporting the implementation of the cultural programme (Bid Book, 2021, pp. 96–97). Table 8 shows the status of these investment projects at the end of 2023.

By 2023, six of the investment projects had been fully completed. During the year, the renovation of Oulu Lyceum was completed, and the multi-year renovation of the Oulu Ice Hall was finished. Nine projects were either ongoing or partially completed, and five projects had not yet started.

It is known that not all of the projects listed in the bid book will be completed by the Capital of Culture year. At least the renovation of the Culture Centre Valve will be postponed until after the ECoC year.

In some cases, the renovation works have been driven forward by private entities that own or operate within the area. For example, the development of the Pikisaari Wool Factory area is being led by Potential Oy, and repairs at the Hiukkavaara Cultural Barracks have been carried out by Koy Hiukan Piha. The city has also been in negotiations with a private potential buyer regarding the city depot, and no repairs have been made by the city in recent years.

Overall, the majority of the investment projects are concentrated in the centre of Oulu, where 11 projects are planned. Three projects are planned for Tuira, two for Höyhtyä, and one each for Hiukkavaara and Ylikiiminki. Two investment projects cover multiple areas.

By the end of 2023, investment projects were completed primarily in the centre of Oulu, where five of the planned 11 projects were finished. Additionally, one of the two projects in Höyhtyä was completed.

Table 8. Investments supporting the implementation of the Oulu2026 programme, as listed in the bid book.

Spaces and places of the programme projects selected in the second open call

One of the goals of Oulu2026 is that 40% of events will be held outside the city centre of Oulu. This goal is achieved in the plans of the 62 projects selected in the second open call.

In these projects, about 40% (26 projects) of the planned event locations are in Oulu city centre, 20% (14 projects) are in other residential areas or districts of Oulu, and over one-third (23 projects) will mainly take place in other municipalities within the Oulu2026 region (Figure 7). It is worth noting that many projects plan to hold events in multiple areas, but on the application form, the projects could only select one primary area.

Another goal of Oulu2026 is that at least half of the programme will be organised outside established cultural facilities. Nearly all (90%) of the projects selected in the second open call plan to hold their events entirely or partially outside established cultural facilities, such as in outdoor spaces (Figure 8). Several events are planned to be held in Oulu’s Pikisaari area and its venues.

According to the plans, only a small portion of events will be held exclusively or partially in established cultural facilities. Established cultural facilities include, for example, the venues of state-subsidised museums, theatres or orchestras. In Oulu, Cultural Centre Valve is also considered an established cultural facility.

In some projects, the event venues are still not known, or there may be no need for specific venues.

The majority (38 projects) of the planned event venues for the programme projects are somewhat restricted. These restricted spaces are of two types. On the one hand, the venues can inherently be restricted, such as concert halls, ships, seminar rooms and galleries. On the other hand, a space can be made restricted by enclosing an open area or urban space, for example, to hold a festival or other event, with ticket sales for the event. Seminars, workshops, and similar activities are often held in initially restricted spaces, but they can further limit the space.

In many projects, workshops are planned to be held in restricted spaces for producing art, while simultaneously planning sections where the art will be displayed without time limits in public urban spaces or local nature. The implementation in both restricted and open spaces is planned for 18 programme projects.

A small number (4 projects) of the planned venues are intended to be open to everyone. These are, for example, artworks displayed in the urban environment. Three projects had not yet identified their exact venues.

Information and insights regarding the spaces and places of the cultural programme were also gathered through background discussions with local actors in 2023 (see the data in Table 1). Issues regarding venues emerged during a visit to Oulu in the spring of 2023. Some actors expressed concern about whether there will be enough venues for everyone during the ECoC year, as a wide variety of cultural activities will take place alongside the core operations. The actors also raised questions about the coordination of construction and investment projects, as well as potential challenges and the timeline for large public venue construction and renovation works in relation to the Oulu2026 timeline.

Figure 7. The primary implementation area reported by the projects selected in the second open call.

Figure 8. Analysis of the venues of the projects selected in the second open call (applications n=63).

Analysis of the venues of the projects selected in the second open call (applications n=63).

In the application form for the second open call, applicants were asked how accessibility is implemented or considered in their project. Additionally, programme projects were requested to justify their responses to this question. In this chapter, we analyse the responses to the question, particularly regarding the accessibility of venues and event locations. Other aspects of accessibility will be addressed in the following section focusing on participation and inclusion. It should be noted that at the time of the application phase, the projects were at various stages of planning, and some did not yet have, for example, information on the event venue.

In approximately half of the responses (33 programme projects), physical accessibility was clearly mentioned, and its implementation was already determined at the application stage. The plans included fully accessible spaces, ramps and elevators in use, assistance with access to venues, and offering free access for assistants to events. Programmes conducted entirely digitally were considered, by default, physically accessible.

Around one-fifth of the projects (14 programme projects) were aware, based on their responses, that not the entire programme could be implemented accessibly. However, the programme would be partially accessible by, for example, moving parts of the event to accessible spaces or utilising partially accessible routes in natural environments. Historic buildings and natural environments, in particular, appeared to present challenges for the accessibility of the programme projects.

Six programme projects selected from the second open call stated that it was not possible to implement the project accessibly. In ten selected projects, accessibility and its consideration were not explicitly mentioned. In some of these responses, accessibility-related actions were described in very general terms.

According to the bid book, at least 70% of the cultural programme should be hybrid, meaning it would be fully or partially accessible on virtual platforms from anywhere in the world. Of the projects selected from the second open call, approximately half (31 projects) planned for their projects to be implemented as hybrid productions, meaning they would be fully or partially accessible on virtual platforms. Just over a third (23 projects) are potentially implementing hybrid production, and just over one-tenth (9 projects) stated in their project application that they do not intend to implement their project as a hybrid. (Figure 9.)

Figure 9. Responses from the projects selected in the second open call to the question ” Will your project be a hybrid?” (n=63).

7. PARTICIPATION AND INCLUSION

Key objectives of the European Capital of Culture action include increasing participation and inclusion in cultural activities. Participation refers to the use of cultural services, for example, while inclusion relates to the sense of personal significance as a member of a community and belonging to a group or collective.

Participation has been an important starting point for the entire Oulu2026 activity. According to the bid book, Oulu2026 is being created together with residents, and the local population is seen as both creators and participants of the programme (Bid Book, 2021, p. 84). In Oulu, participation and inclusion in culture are also linked to the city’s strategic development. The goals of the City of Oulu’s cultural strategy include developing ways, in collaboration, to reach new audiences.

The participation and inclusion in Oulu2026 activities can only be comprehensively assessed during the European Capital of Culture year. This section examines the forms and barriers to participation, particularly in the plans of the programme projects selected in the second open call.

Forms and barriers of participation in Oulu2026 activities

The projects selected from the second open call describe their plans for promoting participation and inclusion in detail in their applications. The projects aim to offer events, exhibitions and workshops for diverse target groups in various settings and occasions.

In the application form, projects were asked to estimate how many visitors and/or participants would engage in the project’s activities/events, considering all project-related activities. The 62 selected programme projects in total estimated that approximately two million visitors and/or participants would attend the activities and events of the projects.

The projects broadly described the target groups involved in the activities. Primary target groups include the residents of the Oulu2026 region, as well as culture-interested tourists from Finland and abroad. The target groups also include various age groups and people in different life situations, such as young adults, families, working people, retirees, unemployed individuals, and various special groups, such as immigrants and people requiring special support. Additionally, target groups include professionals and students as well as amateurs in different fields of art and culture.

The goals of the Oulu2026 bid book include the provision of more opportunities for participation in creating and experiencing culture for residents who are currently not reached by cultural services (Bid Book, 2021, p. 12; 86). Only a few of the projects selected from the second open call identified target groups as people who have not previously participated in cultural activities or services (the so-called non-visitors).

The responses to the question of how accessibility is implemented or considered in the project (see responses regarding venue accessibility in the previous section) describe how the barriers of participation are answered by the projects selected from the second open call.

Accessibility generally refers to taking into account people’s diverse needs and promoting equality (Lahtinen et al., 2017). Accessibility can involve various factors that can significantly affect participation opportunities. Visual, auditory, cognitive, and motor limitations are aspects of accessibility related to disability. More broadly, accessibility also includes, for example, regional and economic accessibility, as well as consideration of equality. The accessibility of art and culture means equal rights and opportunities for everyone to develop themselves, access arts and culture services, and participate in arts and culture life, also as creators and professionals (Lahtinen et al., 2017).

Of the 63 applications selected from the second open call, more than half (36 projects) stated that accessibility is well considered in the project, and just under half (25 projects) stated that accessibility is considered fairly well (Figure 10). Only two applications mentioned that accessibility had not yet been addressed. However, these projects mentioned preliminary plans and stated that accessibility-related aspects would be considered as plans progress.

Figure 10. Accessibility of the projects selected from the second open call.

In the projects that consider accessibility well, diverse methods to promote various aspects of accessibility are described.

Plans to promote economic and social accessibility include offering free or low-cost tickets to participants so that as many people as possible can take part. For events with an entry fee, tiered pricing will be used, and discounts will be offered to groups such as students, pensioners, and unemployed individuals.

Social accessibility will be promoted by ensuring that participants from different backgrounds are considered, as well as encouraging participation with assistants or cultural companions. Several projects highlight that they will follow the principles of safe space and aim to organise events where all participants feel welcome. Many of the goals and planned actions follow already established practices and guidelines (see, for example, the Culture for All guidelines).

Many projects plan to use tools such as descriptive sign language, audio guidance and interpretation services to improve accessibility for participants with visual or hearing impairments. Accessibility is also considered by creating works that engage different senses for example by scents, sounds and various textures.

To promote accessibility in marketing and communication, it was mentioned that the EU Accessibility Directive would be considered in graphic design, including the use of accessible colors and headings on the websites. Materials will be available in easy-to-read language as well as in multiple languages, and social media tools, such as streaming videos via YouTube, will be used. Additionally, electronic communication will be implemented so that websites are accessible through screen readers.

The projects that consider accessibility fairly well described planned actions similarly to those that consider accessibility well. However, these applications also identified factors that pose challenges to accessibility. These factors include issues with the accessibility of event venues (such as nature reserves or old heritage-listed buildings as event venues), gender-specific participation (e.g., Mieskuoro Huutajat), or the accessibility of art forms through different senses (such as challenges related to the description of contemporary dance).

Projects that mentioned in their applications that they have not yet addressed accessibility see accessibility and barrier-free measures as an area to be developed. These actions will be advanced as the projects progress and when accessibility-related tasks and collaborative actions become more concrete.

Some of the projects selected from the second open call plan to collect feedback on events in general and specifically on accessibility through their websites, and to develop activities based on the feedback received. This commitment to improving accessibility ensures that long-term efforts are made to consider the needs of visitors.

8. COMMUNITY AND WELL-BEING

A balanced community is one of the long-term goals of Oulu2026. In fostering a cultural climate change, emphasis is placed on the relationship between cultural participation and interpersonal interaction. According to the bid book, the cultural climate change aims to create a new sense of togetherness. This signifies a transformation in the ways we interact with one another within society, culture, the arts, politics, physical spaces and the virtual world (Bid Book 2021, p. 8).

In the context of the European Capital of Culture action, efforts are made to promote community and well-being at various levels. At the local level, Oulu2026 aims to expand access to cultural offerings and opportunities for participation (Luonila et al., 2024, p. 65). At the European level, the goal is to strengthen citizens’ sense of belonging to a shared cultural space, as well as to safeguard and promote the diversity of European cultures and languages, along with peace and well-being, which are primary objectives of the European Union (Bid Book 2021, p. 84).

This section focuses on the significance of cultural participation for community and well-being, as well as the European dimension within the Oulu2026 action. The analysis centres on the plans of projects selected from the second open call, focusing on the promotion of interaction and the European dimension.

The significance of participation in Oulu2026 for community and well-being

A more balanced city and new connections between people are part of the long-term impacts sought by the Oulu2026, as outlined in the bid book (Application Guide 2021, p. 13). These objectives are materialised in many programme projects. For instance, in the flagship project Rauhankone (Peace Machine), the central idea is interactivity and co-production with the participating audience. In particular, the project implemented in schools aims to encourage students to think critically, as well as develop empathy, the ability to interact and respect for diversity (Bid Book 2021, p. 8; 24).

The goal of fostering community was also highlighted in the second open call for programme proposals. The application form asked whether the project promotes interaction between those experiencing art and culture . Applicants who answered affirmatively were requested to justify their response.

In all 63 selected projects from the second open call, the response to this question was positive. Applicants provided diverse justifications for promoting interaction between those experiencing art and culture.

The main reasons given for promoting interaction included facilitating encounters between artists, audiences and participants. In this way, the selected programme projects aim to create connections and understanding between people. Through shared encounters, participants can exchange personal experiences and learn new perspectives from one another. The selected projects viewed these encounters as contributing to inclusion, fostering listening to others, and enhancing interaction and a sense of ownership between local participants and art, events and the urban environment.

Engaging the audience emerged as a key method of promoting interaction in the projects selected from the second open call. Over a third of the selected projects described in their applications that the works and events to be implemented would be based on co-creation with the participating audience and involving the audience in the production of the events or activities themselves.

More traditional methods to facilitate interaction included the organisation of various workshops, events and educational programmes. Many projects explained that their aim was to create a low threshold for participation in the events produced as part of the project.

Some of the selected projects did not yet provide detailed information in their applications regarding how the project would promote interaction. In the plans for these projects, the audience is to engage with pre-produced content without a specific role.

European dimension

The European dimension is a broad concept that forms a central part of the EU-level goals for the European Capital of Culture action. Its foundation lies in the objective of strengthening citizens’ sense of belonging to a common cultural space.

The project plans concretise the promotion of the European dimension in practice. In the majority of the projects selected from the second open call, plans for European cooperation are included (see above, the section on the operating conditions in the arts and culture domain).

The themes of the cultural programme are a part of advancing the European dimension. In the second open call, applicants were asked whether the project addressed “a European theme linked to Europe’s multi-vocal and diverse history or a current theme .” Applicants who answered affirmatively were asked to justify their responses.

Of the 63 projects selected from the open call, the majority (52) answered positively to this question. The justifications for these projects can be grouped into six thematic areas: unifying history, environment and sustainability, unifying localities, diversity, peace and conflict, and humanity and human rights (Figure 11). These themes highlight the diversity of the European dimension. Some projects mentioned multiple themes in their justification.

Unifying European history was cited in 22 of the selected projects. Unifying history refers to common historical themes, such as the technology of sailing ships or craftsmanship, which are reflected locally in different forms across Europe.

The theme of environment and sustainability was named in 21 projects, and unifying localities appeared in 16. The former is related to contemporary issues not only in Europe but globally. The latter theme was described in project applications as the identification of similar conditions, challenges and strengths across comparable regions in Europe. For example, rural areas and river delta settlements in different parts of Europe are associated with this theme. In many project descriptions, the theme of unifying localities was linked to unifying history.

Diversity, the meeting of cultures and ethnicities, was highlighted in 12 projects, and the theme of peace and conflict was present in 11 of the selected projects. In seven project descriptions, the concepts of humanity and human rights, important to European identity, were discussed.

Five of the selected projects from the open call were not yet able to identify common European themes, often due to the unfinished nature of broader project proposals at the time of application.

Figure 11. Analysis of the themes representing European identity and their frequency in project plans (n=52; one project description may include multiple themes).

9. REPUTATION AND IMAGE

The goals of the City of Oulu’s cultural strategy include elevating Oulu as a significant cultural tourism destination. The Oulu2026 bid book aims for the development of a vibrant and gripping city, so that more and more people across Europe will know where Oulu is and what it excels in. Thus, the European Capital of Culture action can be seen as a strategic means to enhance the reputation and image of the city and region of Oulu (Luonila et al., 2024, p. 71).

In this progress report, the development of reputation and image is examined through the project plans of the programmes selected from the second open call, as well as media monitoring data produced by Oulu Cultural Foundation’s partner, Meltwater.

Activities and communication of projects selected from the second open call

The project plans of the programmes selected from the second open call concretise how the implementation of the projects contributes to the development of the reputation and image of Oulu, Northern Ostrobothnia and the entire Oulu2026 region. The projects described their target audiences in the general project descriptions of the application form, as well as in sections specifically focusing on communication and target groups. Through these materials, the target audiences of the selected projects can be divided into four geographical levels:

• Regional audience (covering Oulu and the broader Oulu2026 region)
• Domestic/national audience
• European audience
• Wider international audience.[7]

The plans of the projects selected from the second open call emphasise regional and domestic target audiences (Figure 12). The regional audience is an important target group for all the projects. Some projects further narrow down their target group to specific geographic areas, such as a region, county or even a particular town. At the same time, it should be noted that in many cases, it was difficult to distinguish when projects were aiming to reach audiences at all levels and when they were targeting primarily regional and domestic tourists.

Interestingly, for target audiences outside of Finland, the projects’ plans focus on reaching a broad international audience (such as tourists) rather than specifically targeting a European audience. This may also indicate that the targeting of audiences outside Finland was not yet particularly detailed at the application stage, and thus, a general reference to an international audience was made.

Figure 12. Analysis of the target audiences mentioned in the plans of the projects selected from the second open call (n=63).

The projects selected from the second open call plan to implement communication mainly using established methods. In addition to the organisations’ own communication channels and networks, websites and newsletters, there is an emphasis on regional and national media and various social media platforms.

Less established communication methods mentioned in some project plans include crowdfunding campaigns, co-design processes, producing cultural content with participants, peer-to-peer communication and word-of-mouth, as well as virtual tourism, apps and digitalisation.

The emphasis on social media in the projects’ communication highlights audience participation. Participation and inclusion also emerge as goals in the implementation of projects, creating art, cultural content and activities in interaction with the audience. The participatory element of communication is highlighted in 20 projects of the 63 projects selected from the second open call.

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[7] In the analysis, the European and international levels were differentiated such that specific mentions of European target audiences were interpreted as European, while more general references to internationality were interpreted as pertaining to the international level. The international level also includes mentions where the focus was explicitly on global reach or collaboration. It is important to note that social media communication channels were not automatically interpreted as providing global coverage for the projects, even though this is theoretically possible. The analysis thus highlights the wording in the project plans and the actors’ own formulations of their intended partners and target audiences.

Coverage and tone of media visibility for Oulu2026 action

Information on the development of Oulu’s and the Oulu2026 action’s media visibility coverage and tone in 2023 was obtained through mentions in both domestic and international media (see also Luonila et al., 2024, 73). In addition, information was gathered from Oulu2026’s social media channels, which in 2023 included Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Unlike the previous year, data was also available from Twitter (currently X) and LinkedIn as new sources of social media.

In 2023, the national media visibility of Oulu2026 was fairly evenly distributed across the year. Compared to the previous year, visibility in domestic media declined (see Table 9).

Key moments of media visibility included the programme launch in June 2023 following the second open call, which garnered some national media attention primarily in the Oulu2026 region (a total of 10 mentions in outlets such as Kainuun Sanomat, Raahen Seutu, Radio Pooki and YLE). Other notable mentions throughout the year included coverage of the region’s cultural and event activities, such as the goals of attracting new film and TV productions to the area and organising the Kalevan kisat event in Oulu in 2026. Additionally, Oulu2026 was mentioned in media coverage of the sold-out Qstock festival in August 2023 and the Frozen People event.

Internationally, Oulu2026’s media visibility was primarily focused on German outlets. A peak in media coverage occurred in July 2023, when news about plans to open a new flight route between Oulu and Munich was reported. In these stories, Oulu’s status as an ECoC was frequently mentioned. At the European level, media coverage in 2023 appeared in Norway, the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Romania, Switzerland, Portugal, the Netherlands and Russia. In addition to Europe, media mentions were found in Vietnam, India, the United States, Australia and China (see Table 9).

On social media channels, following Finland, Oulu2026 was most visible in the United Kingdom, Italy, the United States, France and Japan. The geographical data for social media is based on users’ self-reported location. A significant portion of users did not provide geographical information, so the geographical distribution of media mentions reflects only a part of the total social media audience. Therefore, it is not meaningful to present the numerical differences between countries.

On the YouTube account, there was a sharp increase in video views between 2022 and 2023, particularly due to a video from 2021 featuring Oulu-born author Miki Liukkonen who passed away in 2023. This video alone received 65,259 views in 2023. The second most popular video in 2023 was one about winter cycling, which garnered 2,044 views.

Table 9. Oulu2026 media mentions in 2022 and 2023..

* The search terms were refined by the service provider between 2022 and 2023, and as a result, the monitoring and evaluation work also focused on these updated search queries. For this reason, the figures for 2022 no longer align with those in the Baseline Report for that year (Luonila et al., 2024). The new search terms account for mentions of Oulu in headlines or introductions, or those that have additionally been shared at least 10 times on Facebook or X. The updated search terms exclude results from word combinations that are deemed irrelevant for the purpose of the search.
** A new search was conducted to examine how culture is reflected in Oulu’s image as a factor. This search focuses on media mentions where Oulu is cited in the headline or introduction, and where various culture-related keywords appear elsewhere in the article.

10. TOWARDS CULTURAL CLIMATE CHANGE: PERSPECTIVE OF THE AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME PROJECTS

The Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture action aims to achieve long-term positive social, cultural and economic impacts for the northern Finland. In the bid book, the objective of Cultural Climate Change is made concrete through three main goals: the aim is to develop a vibrant and gripping city, a balanced community and a creative region by bringing people together through cultural programmes, creating encounters and new connections, improving collaboration, and integrating technology, art, and nature in an unprecedented way (Bid Book 2021; Luonila et al., 2024, p. 76).

Cultural Climate Change is the central theme of the Oulu2026 evaluation and monitoring framework. This progress report examines Cultural Climate Change through the applications of projects selected from the second open call. The cultural programme and the activities of the programme projects are tangible ways to achieve the goals set for the Oulu2026 action.

In the second open call, applicants were asked how their project would advance Cultural Climate Change. The responses from the selected projects can be divided into three key themes corresponding to the Oulu2026 goals: developing a vibrant and gripping city, a balanced community and a creative region.

In the 63 programme projects selected, the promotion of Cultural Climate Change is more frequently linked to the development of a balanced community (32 projects) than to the place-related creative region (24) or the vibrant and gripping city (24). A single project may address multiple themes.

The objectives of Cultural Climate Change are connected to the longer-term impacts of the selected programme projects. Applicants were asked to assess the long-term effects of their projects in Oulu, northern Finland and Europe. The key assessed impacts are summarised in Figure 13.

Figure 13. Targeted long-term impacts in the programme projects selected from the second open call for proposals (n=63).

A vibrant and gripping city

Many of the projects selected from the second open call associate Cultural Climate Change with the development of the urban environment. The project creators envision expanding the cultural event scene into new urban settings and everyday spaces where cultural events are not traditionally experienced.

In the project applications, it is assessed that the cityscape and cultural environment will develop socially by democratising space, freeing creative thinking and fostering community through shared art experiences. The cultural urban development environments specifically mentioned include Pikisaari, recognised as a nationally known cultural island – a Creative Village – and an eventful cultural environment for citizens.

The location-related objectives are not solely focused on Oulu but also link Cultural Climate Change with creating space for young theatre creators to envision themselves as artists operating outside of growth centres. Projects also highlight the promotion of food culture and the visibility of domestic food producers and local products.

In the selected programme projects, Cultural Climate Change is also linked to reputation and image issues. In several projects, cultural climate change is connected to revitalising the city’s cultural offerings, thus promoting Oulu and, more broadly, Finland’s recognition as an interesting cultural tourism destination. Key attraction factors include multidisciplinary and multicultural programme content. The cultural programme is also seen as supporting the transformation of Oulu’s image into a more open, fairer and approachable place. At the same time, the Oulu2026 cultural programme is considered to emphasise many positive “peripheral” features of the Oulu2026 region by showcasing the creative power of limitations.

Promoting Cultural Climate Change is also emphasised in the applications as strengthening the uniqueness of a place. Programme activities are expected to sensitise locals to recognise the unique elements of the surrounding cultural heritage and history, and to consider their significance from both a historical and sustainable development perspective.

A balanced community

The selected projects from the second open call aim to create sustainable and community-relevant activities that promote Cultural Climate Change. These goals highlight participation and inclusion. The objectives also include promoting a cultural climate that acknowledges human impacts on the environment and fosters peaceful coexistence between species.

Several of the selected programme projects include provisions for equal, low-barrier opportunities for participation. The aim is to offer various target groups safe spaces for expression and experimentation. It is anticipated that participation and the encounters between participants will particularly strengthen the local community’s involvement in the activities of the organising entity, and promote safer and more progressive urban development, as well as a racism-free reality.

Many of the project plans refer to co-development in the creation of the programme. Rather than passive participation, the intention is to involve participants in creating and producing the programme content. Participatory actions or, for example, experiential pedagogy are seen to increase opportunities for diversity and promote learning through role experiences.

Community and well-being are connected to Cultural Climate Change in many of the selected programme projects. Through community, a socially sustainable atmosphere, dialogue and discussion can be promoted. The projects describe planned events or other activities as a unifying and inspiring creative space that brings together local populations, cultural operators, and international artist groups, offering new tools and the ability for critical thinking, developing empathy skills and respecting diversity. The participation of the people in the region and the creation of community experiences through art are seen as promoting mental well-being. Harnessing experiential elements to strengthen people’s well-being is considered important.

Some of the selected projects emphasise the importance of history and future perspectives as part of Cultural Climate Change. The objectives of these projects include finding solutions to future societal challenges through the interaction between artists and audiences. In some of the projects, the focus is on changing mindsets and highlighting the significance of soft values as an alternative to technology-driven development. The involvement of different age groups and the sharing of intergenerational knowledge are also highlighted in the projects’ cultural climate change objectives.

The experience of community also relates to identity development. Some projects aim to raise awareness of the unique northern identity and locality. Promoting Cultural Climate Change is linked to strengthening one’s identity and also to the objective of discovering the European connections that influence it.

A creative region

In the selected projects from the second open call, objectives related to the creative region are particularly connected to the significant increase and development of both domestic and international art programmes. The cultural programme is seen as revitalising the city and offering new forms of collaboration with different stakeholders. Collaboration is promoted at various geographical levels—locally, nationally, and internationally—and among various actors, including artists, cultural operators, businesses and public institutions.

The selected projects aim for cooperation at various levels and the formation and strengthening of networks. European and international collaboration is seen as strengthening the skills of artists and creative industry professionals, providing a platform for exploring, developing and merging different art forms, creating new cultural models, and offering more job opportunities in the future. In several projects, activities such as residency programmes and various peer communities are highlighted as enabling collaboration.

The Cultural Climate Change developing as a result of cooperation is, in many projects, linked to cultural spaces. Cultural Climate Change is intended to be promoted by developing premises and workplaces within the Oulu2026 region. Examples include Pikisaari in Oulu and Biomylly in Raahe.

11. SUMMARY: OULU2026 ACTIVITIES IN 2023

This progress report examines the advancement of Oulu2026 activities through the seven key themes outlined in the monitoring and evaluation framework during 2023. This section summarises the key conclusions drawn from the analysed data. The summary is structured according to Oulu2026’s three main objectives: a vibrant and gripping city, a balanced community and a creative region.

A Vibrant and Gripping City

• The collaboration and target groups became more defined. The projects selected from the second open call highlight regional, European, and broader international collaborations. The target groups mentioned in the project plans emphasise the local population and domestic tourists.
• Communication was implemented comprehensively, but visibility decreased. In 2023, the national media visibility of Oulu2026 activities was spread fairly evenly throughout the year. Compared to the previous year, visibility in domestic media declined. The planned communication of the projects selected from the second open call focuses on established communication methods and channels.
• The plans of the new programme projects in terms of spaces align with the objectives of the bid book. Most of the projects selected from the second open call take place outside Oulu’s city center, with almost all (90%) occurring entirely or partially in non-established cultural institutions, such as outdoor spaces. These plans match the goals of the bid book. Accessibility was considered in most of the selected projects’ plans. The implementation of the investment projects listed in the Oulu2026 bid book is progressing, but it is known that not all will be completed by the ECoC year. Private operators are responsible for the realisation of many of these investment projects. Discussions with cultural operators in the Oulu2026 region highlighted concerns about whether spaces will be sufficient for everyone during the cultural capital year, emphasising the need for coordination in space development.

A Balanced Community

• New programme projects recognise the significance of participation and inclusion. Participation and inclusion within Oulu2026 activities can be comprehensively monitored in the ECoC year. At the planning level, the selected projects from the second open call thoroughly address the promotion of participation and inclusion. Community and well-being are linked to Cultural Climate Change objectives in several projects. Through community, it is possible to promote a socially sustainable atmosphere, dialogue and discussions.
• The programme projects are planning extensive, multi-level collaboration. The selected projects from the second open call, with one exception, believe their projects promote interaction between artists and cultural producers. The majority also indicated that their projects foster interaction between different fields of culture, art and science, and across different industries and operating practices . Many projects are planning broad international collaboration. Experiences from cooperation with local arts and cultural actors and municipalities are mixed, based on data collected during visits. Some actors reported smooth and fruitful collaboration with Oulu2026, while others noted that the strong sense of unity and joint development felt during the bidding stage had faded by 2023, with little visible activity in smaller municipalities within the Oulu2026 area.
• The European dimension is concretised through programme projects. Almost all of the selected projects include partners or implementers from other European countries. Most projects also plan artist exchanges or tours within Europe. The project plans concretise the promotion of the European dimension in practice. The diversity of the European dimension is illustrated by six themes identified in the project plans: unifying history, environment and sustainability, unifying locality, diversity, peace and conflict, and humanity and human rights.

A Creative Region

• The cultural programme expanded. By 2023, 51 projects were included in the bid book. In addition, 62 new projects were selected from the second open call. The majority of selected projects focus on combining nature and art. Most of the projects from the open call fall under the Brave Hinterland theme. The least common theme among the projects is Cool Contrasts.
• A wide range of projects address new operational and income models for competence and capacity development of cultural actors. Alongside the cultural programme, Oulu2026 activities include projects aimed at strengthening the operating conditions for cultural and creative sector actors in the region. These capacity building projects highlight the importance of developing operational conditions as a key aspect of Oulu2026 activities. In 2023, 25 capacity building projects were ongoing, including several new multi-year initiatives involving extensive cooperation with municipalities and educational organisations.
• The Oulu2026 region expanded. In 2023, the Oulu2026 region included a total of 40 municipalities. Compared to the previous year, the number of municipalities grew by one, as the rural municipality of Ranua joined in 2023. Statistically, the number of tourists in Oulu was on the rise. There are significant social, economic and cultural development differences between Oulu and other urban municipalities, compared to the semi-urban and particularly rural municipalities, with the latter being the majority in the Oulu2026 region.

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