Oulu2026 evaluation research
Oulu will be European Capital of Culture in 2026 along with 39 other municipalities from Northern Finland. Oulu2026 is a long-term, culture-based urban development project, the aim of which is cultural climate change. The purpose of the project of the Oulu2026 project is to create and bring culture, wellbeing, and vitality to our Northern region.
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 aims of the research project are as follows:
- To produce research information on the activities of the Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture 2026 theme year, the impacts and effectiveness of related activities, and the roles and meanings of culture in the long-term strategic development work of participating municipalities.
- To conduct an evaluation of Oulu2026 in accordance with the procedures laid down for European Capital of Culture activities (Decision No. 445/2014/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, Article 16, Subsection 1).
The research project will be implemented during the period 2022–2027 and is a continuation of the research work that supported the European Capital of Culture project during the application phase, beginning in 2018.
In cooperation
Publications
- Peer-reviewed publications 2025 Constructing legitimate multi-level cultural policy
- Reviews 2025 Oulu2026 Progress Report for 2024
- Reviews 2025 The Oulu2026 Progress Report for 2023
- Cupore's publications 2024 Towards Oulu2026 - European Capital of Culture
Privacy notices
You can find the privacy notice regarding participant surveys conducted in 2026 here.
You can find the privacy notice regarding citizen survey conducted in 2025 here.
You can find the privacy notice regarding survey aimed at enterprises here.
You can find the privacy notice regarding survey aimed at cultural actors here.
You can find the privacy notice regarding survey aimed at Oulu2026 projects here.
Project researchers
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Mervi Luonila Senior Researcher, DMus in Arts Management, Docent in cultural policy (networks, effects and leadership of cultural events) +358 50 305 3414 mervi.luonila@cupore.fi Profile -
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Minna Ruusuvirta Senior Researcher, D.Soc.Sc., MEcon. +358 50 326 8014 minna.ruusuvirta@cupore.fi Profile -
Sakarias Sokka Deputy Director, Senior Researcher, Docent in Cultural Policy, D.Soc.Sc., MA +358 50 387 2728 sakarias.sokka@cupore.fi Profile -
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Ongoing research
Culture as a Resource for Wellbeing: The Impact and Integration of Arts-Based Interventions for Young People
In 2026, Cupore is participating in a research project that uses a mixed-methods approach to examine arts- and culture-based workshop models for young people and their effects on mental health, coping with everyday life and readiness for working life.
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Ongoing research
State of Cultural Policy
The State of Cultural Policy project aims to improve the overall understanding of the current state of cultural policy in Finland and to promote informed public discussion. The project has published the State of Cultural Policy 2025 report and created platforms for knowledge-based discussion through Timeout dialogues organised across Finland, as well as through the State of Cultural Policy event held for the first time in May 2026. The event also piloted the cultural policy governance barometer presented in the report.