Oulu has been selected for the final of the ‘European Rising Innovative City 2027’ category in the European Capital of Innovation competition. In 2024, Oulu also reached the final of this competition, finishing third at the time.
On 22 October, the European Commission announced the finalists for the 2027 European Capital of Innovation (iCapital) award. The award recognises European cities that are pioneers in urban innovation and are shaping more sustainable, inclusive and resilient communities.
In the ‘European Rising Innovative City’ category, Oulu is competing for the award alongside Regensburg and Taranto. Oulu’s strengths in the competition include, amongst other things, technological leadership combined with resident-led development, safety and a smooth everyday life, as well as strong regional innovative collaboration.
Reaching the final continues Oulu’s success in the iCapital competition. In 2024, Oulu ultimately came third in the ‘Rising European Innovative City’ category, and the aim this year is to improve on that ranking. The new application has focused in particular on examples relating to resilience, sustainable growth, European competitiveness and strategic autonomy, as well as development initiatives that combine culture and technology and strengthen communality.
Winners to be announced in Grenoble on 3 December
The 2027 iCapital Awards ceremony will take place on 3 December 2026 as part of the “From Local to Europe, Innovation for Good” event, organised by the current European Capital of Innovation, Grenoble-Alpes-Métropole.
The winner of the ‘European Rising Innovative City’ category will receive €500,000, whilst the two other finalists will be awarded with €50,000 each. Oulu’s prize money from 2024–2025 was used locally during 2026 for the ‘Oulun Oivallus’ innovation competition, in which city employees, children and young people were given the opportunity to come up with innovations to improve the city’s operations and services.
Read the European Innovation Council’s press release on the finalists: https://eic.ec.europa.eu/news/6-cities-competing-2027-european-capital-innovation-awards-icapital-2026-10-22_en
Further information:
Maria Vuorensola
Programme Manager, Oulu Innovation Alliance
BusinessOulu, City of Oulu
tel. +358 40 760 1288
maria.vuorensola@businessoulu.com
Juha Ala-Mursula
Director
BusinessOulu, City of Oulu
+358 40 559 7020
juha.ala-mursula@businessoulu.com