Northern future is built with boldness and fairness – How do we build it together while involving everyone?
Regional Civic Society Academy in Oulu
October 1, 2026, at 9.00–15.00
Location: Oulu City Hall, Banquet Hall, address Kirkkokatu 2A
Register here
This fall’s Civic Society Academy aims at a northern future boldly and fairly – How do we build it together while involving everyone? Northern future is built in cooperation with organizations, the wellbeing services county, the region, the city, and the residents. There will be reviews of the future and megatrends, as well as discussions on organization funding and the northern future. Additionally, we will see up-to-date presentations on projects and opportunities to participate in national dialogues.
You may join the discussion in the Oulu City Hall’s banquet hall, which fits 200 participants. The event can also be viewed live online. You may choose how to participate (on-site or online) during registration. Coffee will be served to on-site participants. Registration is open from August 12 until September 22, 2026.
Welcome to participate!
PLEASE NOTE: The event is in Finnish.
Initial programme:
8.30–9.00 Coffee in the banquet hall foyer
9.00 Welcoming words, hosted by Sari Kauppila and Virpi Sillanpää-Posio
9.10 Opening of the event
Wellbeing Services County of North Ostrobothnia’s regional board chairperson Mirja Vehkaperä
Council of the Oulu Region regional government’s chairperson Lauri Nikula
Oulu City Board’s chairperson Jarmo Husso
9.25 Greetings from the Ministry of Finance. Permanent Secretary Juha Majanen
9.40 Democracy and trust in building a sustainable future. Specialist Onni Pekonen, Sitra
10.00 From junctions to cooperation – wellbeing citizens and dynamic regions as a shared goal between municipalities, wellbeing services counties, and organizations, Senior Specialist Liia Jurmu, Association of Finnish Cities and Municipalities.
10.20 Break + pause exercise: Pohjois-Pohjanmaan Liikunta ja Urheily ry, Wellbeing for Villages (Hyvinvointia kylille) project
10.40 Discussion on the future of funding for organizations – panel discussion
Evaluation Manager Miikka Vuorinen, Sosped Keskus Oy
Director Hanna Heinonen, Funding Centre for Social Welfare and Health Organisations STEA
Head Secretary Vertti Kiukas, SOSTE
Cooperation Manager, Marjo Riitta Tervonen, Pohde
Chairperson Hanne Puurunen, Pohde Organizational Cooperation Group
Director of Education and Cultural Services
12.00–13.00 Lunch
13.00 Look into the future – panel discussion
Organization Work Coordinator Helena Liimatainen, Pohde
Research and Development Director Mikko Väisänen, Council of the Oulu Region
Chairperson Raija Näppä, North Ostrobothnia’s Organizational Advisory Committee
Strategy Manager Mari Tuomikoski, city of Oulu
Matti Räisänen, North Ostrobothnia Youth Council
Aada Feodoroff, Oulu Youth Council ONE
14.00 Project presentations and national dialogues
Responsibility in public administration – pathway to employment
Funding presentation of EU projects, where is the potential to seek funding
Pohde’s Participation, customer experience, equality, and non-discrimination plan’s presentation
Oulutoivo 2030, Boldly together –2026
Wellbeing for Villages, Pohjois-Pohjanmaan Liikunta ja Urheily ry.
Participation through volunteering, Oulu2026
Sustainable homeland – dialogue
14.50 Summary and closing remarks
15.00–15.30 Coffee is served
15.30–16.00 Earworm and Layers of the Peace Machine tours in the City Hall
Register here
Further information:
Oulu’s Regional Civic Society Academy offers a meeting place for organizations, the city of Oulu, the wellbeing services county, and the region’s operators. The goal of the event is to reinforce participation and organizational cooperation in North Ostrobothnia and the city of Oulu. The event will include dialogue about cooperation between organizations, the wellbeing services county, and the city of Oulu.
The Regional Civic Society Academy is organized in Oulu for the fifth time. The event is based on the national Civic Society Academy events coordinated by the Ministry of Finance. The city of Oulu organizes the event in cooperation with organizations, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Finance, North Ostrobothnia’s Wellbeing Services County Pohde, and North Ostrobothnia’s Organizational Advisory Committee.