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Oulu City Library and City Theatre on Vänmanninsaari island, lit by low sun and reflected in the calm river water

Finland

Oulu

Photo: Estormiz, CC0, Wikimedia Commons

European Capital of Culture in 2026, Oulu is also advancing a hydrogen plant, a city-centre vision to 2040 and resident-chosen projects worth €500,000.

Updated · Checked against official sources

  • Population

    216,152

    31 December 2024

  • Mayor

    Ari Alatossava

  • EU programmes

    7

Latest

  1. Civic participation ·

    Oulu residents pick 12 projects for the city’s €500,000 participatory budget

    In a September vote, Oulu residents chose 12 of 94 proposals to be carried out in 2027 with the city’s €500,000 participatory budget.

    Facts and source
    • 12 of the 94 proposals on the ballot were chosen for implementation.
    • 5,119 residents voted.
    • The most popular proposal was recess equipment for schools, at €90,000 with 1,236 votes.

    Source: City of Oulu, “Oulu’s residents decided how the Participatory Budgeting’s 500 000 € will be spent – the city will implement 12 proposals”

  2. Talent and innovation ·

    Oulu reaches the semi-finals of the European Capital of Innovation Awards 2027

    Oulu is one of six semi-finalists in the European Rising Innovative City 2027 category of the European Capital of Innovation Awards.

    Facts and source
    • Oulu was selected as a semi-finalist in the European Rising Innovative City 2027 category.
    • The six semi-finalists are Galway, Kranj, Leiden, Oulu, Regensburg and Taranto.
    • The winners will be announced in Grenoble on 3 December 2026.

    Source: City of Oulu, “Oulu advances to the semi-finals of the European Capital of Innovation Awards 2027”

  3. Civic participation ·

    Oulu joins launch of EU-funded BRIDGE network of Arctic towns and cities

    The EU launched BRIDGE, a four-year cooperation initiative for 21 Arctic towns and cities led by the Arctic Mayors’ Forum, with Oulu’s leaders at the launch.

    Facts and source
    • BRIDGE brings together 21 towns and cities from across the Arctic.
    • The initiative is led by the Arctic Mayors’ Forum and builds on the Arctic Regional and Urban Cooperation network.
    • Oulu’s City Board chair took part in the EU Arctic Forum 2026 in Brussels, where BRIDGE was launched.

    Source: City of Oulu, “EU-funded Arctic city cooperation expands with launch of new BRIDGE project”

  4. Climate and energy ·

    Oulu signs cooperation agreement with ABO Energy on a hydrogen plant

    The City of Oulu and ABO Energy Suomi agreed a framework for developing, planning and permitting a hydrogen plant in the Pyyryväinen green transition zone.

    Facts and source
    • Oulu and ABO Energy Suomi signed a cooperation agreement on a hydrogen project in the Pyyryväinen green transition zone.
    • Electrolysis capacity could be expanded to up to 600 MW in two to three development phases.
    • The development would need a site of up to 41 hectares.

    Source: City of Oulu, “City of Oulu and ABO Energy have signed a cooperation agreement regarding a hydrogen plant”

  5. Climate and energy ·

    Oulu wins Eurocities Award 2026 for its sustainability education model

    Oulu’s Sustainable Future Learning Stream won gold in the Urban Climate Actions theme of the Eurocities Awards 2026.

    Facts and source
    • Oulu won the gold award in the Eurocities Awards 2026 for its Sustainable Future Learning Stream.
    • Paris, Istanbul, Rotterdam and Manchester were the other finalists.
    • The model has been developed with seven partner municipalities.

    Source: City of Oulu, “Oulu Wins Eurocities Award as Sustainable Future Learning Stream Recognized as European Best Practice”

City briefs are drafted with AI from official sources; every fact is checked against the source text before an editor approves it.

Projects we track

5 projects · 1 completed

    1. Planned
    2. Funded
    3. Under way
    4. Completed

    ABO Energy hydrogen plant, Pyyryväinen green transition zone

    A hydrogen production facility whose electrolysis capacity could reach 600 MW in two to three phases; a cooperation agreement signed on 1 September 2026 covers project development, land-use planning and permitting, with the investment decision still to come.

    Climate and energy

    Status checked 20 October 2026 · Source

    1. Planned
    2. Funded
    3. Under way
    4. Completed

    Oulu Experience Arena and Station Centre, Raksila

    An arena with a practice ice hall, parking, a hotel and a new Station Centre by the railway, to be developed with the SRV and Trevian consortium; the city puts €50 million into the arena and expects a final building decision by the end of 2027.

    Budget 50 million € (city investment in the arena, practice ice hall and their parking) Funded by City of Oulu Regeneration and housing

    Status checked 20 October 2026 · Source

    1. Planned
    2. Funded
    3. Under way
    4. Completed

    Oulu City Centre Vision 2026–2040

    An advisory plan approved on 2 June 2026 that guides long-term development of the centre around water, urban nature, lighting, infill building and easier mobility, with progress reported annually.

    Regeneration and housing

    Status checked 20 October 2026 · Source

    1. Planned
    2. Funded
    3. Under way
    4. Completed

    Participatory Budgeting: 12 resident proposals for 2027

    Residents chose 12 of 94 proposals in a September 2026 vote, including play equipment for 67 schools and flower meadows, to be carried out in 2027.

    Budget 500 000 € Funded by City of Oulu Civic participation

    Status checked 20 October 2026 · Source

    1. Planned
    2. Funded
    3. Under way
    4. Completed

    Central Library Saari

    The renovated main library reopened as Central Library Saari on 24 November 2025, with more space for children and youth, an expanded Digital Makerspace and the Kotilo children's cultural centre.

    Culture

    Status checked 20 October 2026 · Source

Coming up in Oulu

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EU programmes and networks

All our coverage

June 2026

  • · Regeneration and housing

    Oulu approves a city centre vision to guide development until 2040

    Oulu’s Urban and Environmental Committee approved the City Centre Vision 2026–2040, an advisory plan prepared with residents. City of Oulu

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