10/2023-12/2024

Implementer: City of Oulu's Multicultural Centre Villa Victor

Multicultural Centre Villa Victor is a low-threshold meeting place open to all. The Multicultural Centre offers, among other things, free Finnish language teaching, clubs, information events and mentoring. In addition, Villa Victor organizes various multicultural events, such as the Colorful Restaurant, Anti-racism Week and Welcome to Oulu events.

Objective

The idea of the pilot has emerged from the need to strengthen the activities and participation of organisations and communities with different linguistic and cultural backgrounds, while at the same time promoting the visibility of cultural diversity in Oulu's cultural life.

The Equal Oulu2026 project organised a seminar on cultural diversity in May 2023 to celebrate the International Day of Cultural Diversity. As part of the seminar's programme, we considered what kind of discrimination takes place in Oulu's cultural structures from the perspective of immigrant inclusion and diversity.

The workshop identified the most important obstacles and development needs: communication and information are not accessible and inclusive, and more information on where to apply for funding for cultural events was needed. Significant obstacles that emerged were also the lack of networks and networking opportunities, the lack of representations of diversity in cultural life, prejudices, and the lack of connections between immigrant communities and cultural actors.

Based on the results of the workshop, an idea for a network of organisations and communities with different linguistic and cultural backgrounds was born, coordinated by the City of Oulu Multicultural Centre Villa Victor. The goal was that the network could continue to operate as part of Villa Victor after the pilot.

The aim of the activities was, on one hand, to obtain information on how many organisations and communities of different linguistic and cultural backgrounds operate in the Oulu region and to maintain relations with them. On the other hand, the aim of the pilot was to create a safe environment for immigrant organisations and their communities to define what kind of cultural activities are important from their point of view. By targeting network activities to this target group, the aim was to support the self-motivated cultural activities of organisations and communities, while at the same time ensuring that an increasing number of minority groups with different linguistic and cultural backgrounds have equal opportunities to participate in cultural services and in the planning and implementation of their activities.      

The pilot implements the recommendations of the Ministry of Education and Culture's Working Group's report on ‘Art, Culture and a Diverse Finland: Cultural Policy, Immigrants and Promotion of Cultural Diversity', which includes:

• Increase the availability of arts and culture in the major minority languages and, if possible, in other languages. Organize multilingual events and events.
• To increase understanding of art and cultural traditions outside of Western art and culture. Include performances and works from the entire cultural heritage of the world in software choices.
• To provide facilities and other support for cultural diversity-promoting activities that make ethnic and cultural diversity visible.
• Strengthens social relationships by bringing people from different languages and backgrounds together to meet each other and collaborate.
• Take advantage of the opportunities already offered by libraries, museums, theatres, stages and other art and cultural institutions to create dialogue and encounters between people of different cultural backgrounds.

Actions

• Invitation to become a member of the network through various channels
• Regular network meetings
  • Topics of the meetings: presentations by members of the network, information sessions on funding opportunities of the City of Oulu or the use of facilities for cultural events, Oulu2026 We are the culture -programme call, planning the Oulu2026 opening.
• Support for members' own events:
  • African Cultural Festival
  • El Patio (Oulu Spanish Language Association) "Meeting with the poet Roxana Crisólogo: living and creating in a multilingual world." as part of the Nightingale Month
  • El Patio (Oulu Spanish Language Association) Machu Picchu band's concert “Canto Latinoamericano” as part of Oulu Days
  • Oulu Diasporans Multicultural football tournament

Members in the network include: 

Africans in Oulu, Instagram of Africans in Oulu

Arctic-China Exchange and Cooperation Association (ACECA), Website of ACECA

Bloom Finland, Website of Bloom Finland

Diasporans in Oulu (DIO), Instagram of Diasporans in Oulu

El Patio (Oulun espanjankieliset ry), Facebook of El Patio

EntreCom Enterprise Community, Website of EEC

Monikulttuuriset Siskot ry, Facebook of Monikulttuuriset siskot 

O-India Ry, Website of O-India 

Oulu Cricket Club, Website of Oulu Cricket 

Oulun Pakistanin Kulttuuri -Yhdistys ry, Oulun Pakistanin Kulttuurin Facebook  

Oulun Suomalais-Japanilainen yhdistys, Website of Oulun Suomalais-Japanilainen yhdistys

Pohjois-Pohjanmaan Ukrainalaisten Yhdistys, Website of Pohjois-Pohjanmaan Ukrainalaisten Yhdistys 

Pohjois-Suomen puolalaisten Yhdistys Ry, Website of Pohjois-Suomen puolalaisten yhdistys

Romano Missio ry, Website of Romani Missio  

Srilankalainen yhdistys Pohjois-Suomessa ry, Facebook of Srilankalainen yhdistys 

Startup Refugees, Website of Startup Refugees

Suomen Arabilainen Kulttuuri ry, Facebook of Suomen Arabialainen Kulttuuri 

Suomen Kulttuurienvälinen Yhteisö, Website of Suomen Kulttuurienvälinen Yhteisö

Thai Opetus Ry 

Tuulenkantajat ry (TWBA ry), Website of Tuulenkantajat ry   

To conclude

Operation of the network will continue after the pilot as part of the activities of the Multicultural Centre Villa Victor and ETNO of Northern Finland(Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment). 

01/2024-12/2024

Implementer: City of Oulu Multicultural Centre Villa Victor

The City of Oulu Multicultural Centre Villa Victor is a low-threshold meeting place open to all. The Multicultural Centre organises various multicultural events, information events and clubs and offers mentoring.

Villa Victor coordinates the activities of the Oulu Roma Working Group. The Oulu Roma Working Group is a cross-administrative cooperation body that includes representatives of the municipality, welfare area, state, parish, third sector and education organisations. There are Roma members in the working group.

The task of the working group is to promote the goals of the national Roma policy programme locally and to promote the position of the Roma as residents. The working group also aims to strengthen Roma inclusion, support employment, studies and further studies, address discrimination and promote housing-related issues.

Partners

Regional State Administrative Agency for Northern Finland 

Among other things, the Regional State Administrative Agency directs and advises on Roma issues and educates and informs about them. The work focuses on stakeholder work and networking with various authorities and Roma actors.

National Advisory Board on Romani Affairs RONK

The Romanian Advisory Board operates in connection with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. The Romanian Advisory Board develops cooperation between the Roma and the authorities and promotes anti-discrimination work and equality.

Women's Corner of Romano Missio

Women's Corner offers peer support, help and advice to Roma women released from prison, with the aim of breaking the cycle of crime and stopping the development of cross-generational social exclusion. The Women's Corner provides a place to support women in society and crime-free living. In addition, opportunities for hobbies and other meaningful activities are offered.

Objective

One of the goals of the European Capital of Culture is for the inhabitants of the region to experience shared pride and ownership of the Capital of Culture year.

Minorities in the region are not yet sufficiently involved in the preparation of the European Capital of Culture. In the case of the Sámi, Romans and immigrants, for example, it is important to reach the target group and create a safe environment in which people themselves could define what the cultural programme should look like from their point of view.

The aim is that cultural activities are planned with minority groups from their own starting points. By planning and developing cultural activities with communities, we ensure that more and more residents have the opportunity to participate in the planning and implementation of the cultural programme.

The need for a Roman café pilot has arisen from the need to make Roman culture more visible and known and to promote good demographic relations, as well as to strengthen the cultural participation of the local Roma community and their opportunities to influence the co-development, planning and implementation of the cultural programme of the European Capital of Culture.

Knowledge Base: Discrimination against Roma in Cultural Life

According to studies, there is a need in Finland for Roman culture to be more strongly visible in the programme of cultural institutions. To achieve this goal, long-term and genuinely inclusive cooperation between cultural institutions and Roman communities is needed. The aim is to produce a cultural programme that the Romans themselves plan, implement and present as part of the regular activities of cultural institutions.

It is important to strengthen the cultural identity and cultural expressions of Romans. For this reason, it is hoped that, among other things, communal spaces will be created as part of the public spaces of cultural services. The aim of these spaces and events is also to promote intercultural dialogue, encounters and good demographic relations.

Studies show that art made and produced by Romans is not often recognized as art. To remedy this, support structures are needed in cultural structures to maintain the work of Roman artists. There is a strong need for the Romans to contribute to the cultural offering as producers and presenters of culture.

Because of the ongoing discrimination, Romans experience low levels of inclusion. According to the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), nearly one in two Romans have experienced unfair treatment from a stranger in a public place. These experiences are particularly common among young people. Due to negative experiences, the cultural inclusion of young people is also low and the specific objective is to strengthen ways of encouraging young people, especially Romans, to engage in cultural activities.

The Roman Café is used to create a space for the promotion of Roman culture. At the same time, the concept of the Roman Café is a long-term platform for collaboration, influence and inclusion, the aim of which is to develop inclusive ways to mainstream Roman culture in the cultural life of the City of Oulu.

The involvement and role of local Roman communities in leading, designing and implementing the process is crucial in the concept of the Roman Café.

Sources

Toivanen, Reetta: Roma and Culture - Report on Roma inclusion and participation, 2012. (in Finnish). (pdf-file)

Anneli Weiste-Paakkanen, Riikka Lämsä, Hannamaria Kuusio (edit.).Inclusion and well-being of the Roma population in Finland. Roma Welfare Study Roosa basic results 2017-2018. (in Finnish)

Actions

The aim of the Roman Café activities is to make Romans and Roman culture visible and close to the majority population.

Inclusion

From the very beginning, we planned the pilot with the local Romans. The idea of a Roman café emerged from the joint idea workshop. We found that Oulu lacks a public low-threshold meeting place open to all, where there would be an opportunity to make Roman culture visible and promote low-threshold meetings and discussions around coffee.

The design team became a group of three women who planned a programme of events and agreed to maintain the café. To maintain the cafe, we agreed on a work allowance. The purpose of the Roma café was not to be an entrepreneurial activity, but coffee servings were free for the participants.

Visibility

We chose the Oulu10 downstairs lobby in the centre of Oulu. Oulu10 in the city centre is a well-accessible service point located along public transport routes. The same building also houses the facilities of the Multicultural Centre Villa Victor.

As a place, Oulu10 served the purpose of the pilot to be part of the public space, in the midst of people. Hundreds of Oulu residents visit the Oulu10 customer service point daily, and the space offered for the event is in the immediate vicinity of the entrance door and service counters. The location allowed for maximum visibility both into the customer spaces and out onto the street.

Regularity 

For the success of the pilot's objectives, the regularity and long-term nature of the operations were very important.

The group leaders planned that the Roma Café events would be held every other week on Mondays/Tuesdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Making romani culture visible

As a low-threshold activity and brought to the center of people's everyday lives, the Romani Café served as an excellent forum for meeting and giving and receiving information.

The Roman Café features photographs and information boards on the history of the Romans and various manifestations of culture. Material related to Roman dress and handicrafts, such as jewelry or textiles, is also on display including natural-sized mannequins dressed in the costumes of a Roman woman and man.

Each event had its own theme, such as anti-racism week, history, clothing, crafts, photography exhibition, music, Roman language and literature, and Christmas traditions.

The café was run by Roman women who answered the participants' questions and also told about issues related to different themes on their own initiative.

In addition to the basic programme, the Roman Café also participated in various public events, such as the Romaniravi event held on International Roma Day at Äimärautio in Oulu, the Cultures Day of Oulu City Hall Opening Week and the Oulu kylässä -festival of Oulu Days, which showcases Oulu-based actors, organisations, hobby opportunities and various services of the City of Oulu to new Oulu residents who have just moved to the city.

Findings

A total of about 700 visitors visited the Roman café during the year. In addition, hundreds of visitors attended public events where Roman Café was present.

The Roman Café was a big success and a very significant activity in terms of promoting good demographic relations, promoting Roma culture and strengthening Roma inclusion.

The Roman Café pilot carried out during 2024 has shown strongly that there is a great need for action and the concept is definitely worth continuing and developing. The City of Oulu decided to apply for a grant for the activities of the Multicultural Centre Villa Victor for the promotion of cultural diversity and anti-racism activities for the maintenance and development of the Roman Café in 2025.

Also very important from the point of view of equality, inclusion and cultural sustainability is the fact that the organization has the opportunity to permanently instill the Roman Café as part of the basic activities of the Multicultural Centre Villa Victor.

Development of the Roman Cafe

The Roma café can be developed through the following measures:

• Mobilising the activity, i.e. improving the mobility of the exhibition
• Updating the exhibition material and information of the café in terms of content and technology
• Developing the programme and content of the café including guest performers

Developing Roman café networks and finding active leaders through networks of Romano Missio is important. One of the objectives of the activities is specifically to make the Romans themselves more involved in the activities, both in planning and implementation, which would improve visibility. In addition, the action would have a positive impact on Roman communities, as it would provide young people with a positive example of how their own action can bring about change.

02/2024-12/2024

Partners

City of Oulu Youth Services

The task of youth services is to promote the realisation of the rights of children and young people, as well as equality. In order to implement them, the inclusion and opportunities for influencing of children and young people will be strengthened, their growth, independence and communality will be supported, and the related learning of knowledge and skills will be supported. The starting point is to support growth that promotes respect for human dignity and the environment.

Union of the Deaf

The role of the Finnish Association of the Deaf is to monitor and promote the realisation of human rights and equal opportunities for the deaf and to act as the umbrella organisation for its member associations.

The Finnish Deafblind Association

The Finnish Deafblind Association is a rights-monitoring, peer-to-peer, expert and service organisation for deafblind and hard-of-hearing visually impaired people. The organization's mission is to promote access to information, communication, mobility and equal access to aids for deaf blind people, to inform on issues related to deaf blindness, and to raise awareness of deaf blind people's competence. The organization does advocacy work to safeguard the rights of its customers.

Hearing Association

The Hearing Association is a strong influencer who participates in the social debate on the realisation of the rights of people with hearing impairments and works to remove social barriers. The association is an active supporter of member associations, which help associations to develop their operations in an ever-changing operating environment.

Objectives

The idea of the pilot arose from the need for the City of Oulu's youth services to develop their own services so that they would be more accessible to young people with sign language. The main goal was to get in touch with a target group that clearly lacks youth services and ideas for ways in which Oulu youth services could become familiar to sign language youth. In the development of the pilot, the most important thing was to strengthen the participation and advocacy opportunities of deaf and hearing-impaired young people in youth services.

The idea was to plan and implement a joint cultural event with young people.

According to a report by the Finnish Association of the Deaf, sign language interpreting services in arts and culture services need to be developed. According to the Accessibility of Cultural Festivals and Events (2011) report, cultural festivals and events have shortcomings in the content and interpretations received by different senses.

There is a great need to increase sign language interpretation at cultural events, but even more important is to promote sign language arts and culture services and equal opportunities to work for deaf and hearing-impaired people in the cultural sector.

The experiences of discrimination begin in childhood, when the lack of sign language children's culture affects equal opportunities to engage in and participate in culture.

Discrimination affects the implementation of the equal educational path for young people and continues in the working life of sign language cultural professionals.

Source: The Finnish art field is not yet equal for a sign language artist (in Finnish), Kuurojenliitto.fi 

The idea of the pilot was to develop ways in which we could promote sign language culture together in Oulu, as well as the cultural rights of deaf, hearing-impaired and hearing-impaired people.

Actions

In order to reach the target group, we invited local expert organisations: the Finnish Association of the Deaf Blind, the Finnish Association of the Deaf Blind and the Hearing Association. We found a lot of know-how and knowledge from the organisations, as well as networks through which we invited young people to an idea workshop.

Next, the invitation text of the idea workshops is presented as an example of the practical implementation of the pilot.

INVITATION: Oulu2026 idea workshop 27.2.

Oulu will be the European Capital of Culture in 2026 and the main theme will be cultural climate change.

We want to start promoting the rights of deaf, hearing-impaired and hearing-impaired cultural sponges already now.

Come and join us in planning a joint cultural event for young people to be held in the autumn of 2024

The first idea workshop will be held

Tuesday 27 February, from 16 to 18 o'clock, Oulu10, Torikatu 10.

The workshop is intended for deaf, hearing-impaired and hearing-impaired participants.

Interpretation of Finnish Sign Language has been arranged at the event.

In the workshop pizza servings!

Register by February 23rd.

Welcome! 

Organizers of the workshop: Oulu Youth Services, Finnish Association of the Deaf Blind, Kuululiitto ry and Equal Oulu2026.

The equal Oulu2026 project is co-funded by the European Union.

Youth Group

From the beginning, the most important thing in implementing the pilot was joint planning and implementation with young people.

Five young adults signed up for the Idea Task Force. We started to brainstorm a joint event by discussing young people's interests and dreams. In the workshop, it quickly became apparent that there is a lot of creative competence in the group of young people and that they especially see it as an important opportunity to influence the promotion of a diverse culture through the event.

The result of the idea workshops was the Colorful Language (Värikäs kieli) event week as well as the Gone with Stories (Tarinoiden viemää) art exhibition, where we would like to highlight not only the diversity of cultural expressions in sign language, but also the diverse ways of creating art, expressing ourselves and communicating with each other. We chose International Deaf Week as the date of the event.

Organising events as part of the International Deaf Week will give more visibility but also opportunities to influence and raise awareness of the rights of deaf, hearing-impaired and hearing-impaired young people.    

Programme of the Colorful Language event week 

Next, the content of the events will be presented as an example of the practical implementation of the pilot.

Monday 23 September International Sign Language Day  

3:30 p.m. Opening of the Colorful Language event week

Youth Workshop: Do you want to learn signage?
Come and learn signage, too. Common signs can be learned, or according to your wishes. Can you finger your own name yet? See you at the opening and workshop!
As a place Shopping Centre Valkea summer street stage

The workshop is led by volunteers from the Oulu Sign Language Association and the Finnish Deafblind Association.

Thursday 26 September Arts and Games Youth Workshop

In the workshop, you will get to test Maarit Ylitalo's Sensor bass drum and D-Robot works and enjoy her Sign ART art. He makes small D-Robot jewelry for the duration of the event.  

The youth workshops were held at the Youth Farm in Nurka, located in Valkea Shopping Centre.

Friday 27 September Visual Vernacular workshops & online parties 

In the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to explore Visual Vernacular technology and dive into the world of visual storytelling. The workshop is in Finnish sign language and lasts about 45 minutes. You can also participate in the workshop without knowledge of sign language.  

Quentin Green is an American-born Visual Vernacular artist whose art features maximum visual storytelling. Participation does not require any previous experience.  

The International Week of the Deaf 2024 culminates in a nationwide online party.

Surprise guests and a direct connection to Helsinki!

Visual Vernacular workshops & online parties
Cultural Laboratory, Pikisaarentie 15

Tarinoiden viemää -joint exhibition

Tarinoiden viemää (Gone with stories) is a joint exhibition of sign language, deaf and hearing-impaired artists.

The opening of the exhibition took place on Saturday 28 September, which was dedicated to celebrating deaf cultures during the International Deaf Week. The purpose of the day was to “celebrate the rich cultural heritage of deaf communities through our sign languages and cultures. Deaf culture includes behavior, traditions, beliefs, values, history, humor, and art that are part of deaf communities. We are proud of our linguistic and cultural identities." Source: International Deaf Week -website

The special guest of the opening was KAHONE. He is a new generation music maker whose music combines the influences of EDM, pop and Eurodance. Despite his hearing-seeing disability, KAHONE is an ambitious artist who writes most of his songs himself. A good song doesn't come without strong lyrics.""

The artists participating in the joint exhibition were Mariella Anttila, Jussi Rinta-Hoiska, Lauri Lehenkari, Heikki Tapio, Jenni Peltoniemi and Maarit Ylitalo.

Tips:

• Be sure to order sign language interpreters for the event well ahead. The availability of interpreters may vary by region.
• Be prepared to provide the sign language interpreter with the materials for the event in advance, e.g. the programme, all the content to be interpreted, such as speeches, etc.
• Interpretation of artistic content into sign language, e.g. songs, poetry, guided art exhibition, etc. requires translation into sign language and therefore longer preparation.
• In addition to sign language interpretation, at events (e.g. concerts, theatres, exhibition guided tours, etc.) it is also necessary to arrange written interpretation. Interpreting spelling means that the spoken language is written as text. In particular, people with hearing loss, deafness, and hearing loss, as well as the general public, will benefit.
• You can order sign language interpretation and writing interpretation in Finnish e.g. from: 
  • Via (services also in English): Website of Via 
  • Evantia: Website of Evantia 
  • Viittoen: Website of Viittoen
• If sign language videos are made in organizations, make sure in the production process and in the offer requests that the signers of the videos are deaf people (rather than interpreters) who are native speakers of the sign language.

01/2024–11/2024

Implementer: Cultural Services and Integration Services of the City of Pyhäjärvi and Evangelical Lutheran Church of Pyhäjärvi

The goal is a living room activity that generates new acquaintances, dispels prejudices and helps people root in the area.

The activities of the International Café were developed as part of the integration process of the City of Pyhäjärvi by creating a meeting place between the international and local population, and to make the participants feel like a natural part of Pyhäjärvi. In addition, it was seen as valuable to identify the needs and wishes of immigrants related to cultural activities and to strengthen their participation as both cultural experiencers and creators.

The cafe was held once a month. Schedules for the autumn season were agreed based on spring experiences.

The main goal was inclusion and community. Therefore, the activities were not limited to just staying in one space: among other things, visitors to the café visited the library, participated in the opening of an art trail, and were involved in a moose hunting trip. The average number of visitors was nearly 40 and a total of 335 during the year.

Activities and themes of the International Café in 2024 

The café was felt to be functional and future themes have been designed to get to know local actors as well as expert lectures, for example on city services, hobby opportunities and circular economy. The operation of the café continues by the City of Pyhäjärvi.

Notes and tips

Participants were reached using social media channels, the city's event calendar and cultural services.

In Pyhäjärvi, the timing of the café (on Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.) was influenced by work shifts, among other things. Activities located at a later time would probably have been missed by many when the apartment was further away and due to the lack of transport connections. The timing of future cafés also aims to take into account customers' work shifts.

In the functionality of the space, attention should be paid to accessibility, i.e. that the space is accessible and all participants hear the performances equally well.

Local associations and communities should be challenged to take part. In this way, the café activities can be developed into a more diverse one and offer low-threshold opportunities to get to know new people.

09/2023–05/2024

Implementer: Kaukametsä Conference and Cultural Centre and Kainuu Music Institute

Kaukametsä offers high-quality community college, music college, and cultural services as well as meeting services and facilities in Kajaani. Kaukametsä is a cultural, educational and congress centre known locally, nationally and internationally.

Kainuu Music Institute organises basic art education in accordance with the extensive syllabus of music and dance in Kajaani, Hyrynsalmi, Otanmäki, Paltamo, Puolanga, Ristijärvi, Suomussalmi and Vaala.

Objective

The aim is to promote the accessibility of the facilities of the Kaukametsä Conference and Cultural Centre and the Kainuu Music Institute. The goal is to make Kaukametsä a cultural centre for all residents, which is easy to reach.

Actions

An accessibility mapping and an accessibility survey were conducted, and the results were discussed with experience experts, the Disability Council and the public.

The accessibility mapping was done by Riesa Consultative Oy. Accessibility was examined from the perspectives of the mobility, seeing and hearing environment. In addition to legislation and regulations, attention was paid to the realisation of practical accessibility and equality and to an environment that works for all.  

The survey was carried out by means of an open survey and a survey visit. The survey could be answered electronically or on paper. The survey was announced in the Oulu2026 communications, in the communications of the City of Kajaani and in Kaukametsä premises.

During the mapping visit, the accessibility information was collected in a system where the collected information was processed and suggestions for measures promoting accessibility were given. Accessibility was examined from different perspectives: accessibility information, arrival, passage, services and toilets.

Findings

The report, drawn up on the basis of the survey and visit, highlights both functional issues and areas for improvement. In general, the service-mindedness, friendliness and helpfulness of the Kaukametsä staff were perceived as things that make the premises more accessible. Induction loops in concert halls and electronic doors at the entrances of the Music Institute were also praised.

The most challenging things were the heaviness and difficulty of the doors, the lack of parking spaces and the distance of accessible parking spaces from the doors, uneven tiling of the yard, the dimness of the yard and inadequate signage.

1. Improving accessibility information: 

Information on the accessibility of facilities should be added to the Kaukametsä website. Accessibility information should be easy to find and clearly titled. Images are also recommended to be added to the info, which are a key part of the accessibility information. Especially important are photos of the entrances and accessible toilet space. In addition, the website should provide information about the accessible spaces and the accessibility challenges that the site may have. In this location, for example, the high thresholds of the entrance doorways, the accessibility of the service counter in the main lobby, and access to the accessible toilet space is by lift and there is no unobstructed access to the stage of Kaukametsä Hall from the hall side. Accessibility information should also include the information of the accessibility contact person for further information.

2. Improving accessibility to building entrances: 

The biggest challenges at the entrances are the high thresholds of the doorways and the heavy doors. It will be examined whether the thresholds can be lowered and whether the door opening mechanisms can be lightened. When these measures are implemented, they greatly improve the accessibility of the entrances and allow people, especially those using assistive devices, to travel to the premises independently, although all will benefit from this improvement.

3. Improving accessible toilet facilities: 

The size of the current accessible toilet space does not meet the current regulations. A sufficiently large accessible toilet should be dimensioned in the building. If this is not possible, a few lighter means can be used to improve the accessibility of the space somewhat. Such measures include, for example, renewal of the door's status sign, improvement of lighting, and renewal of the sink. An alarm system is also recommended.

4. Improving Accessibility in Other Interiors: 

Important developments in other interiors include signage, a service counter in the main lobby, and the accessibility of the Kaukametsä hall.

The scattered signage in the interior should be completely renewed in order to make the signage uniform and consistent.

The current service counter is too high and lacks the knee space needed by a person using an assistive device. Find out what kind of changes can be made to the counter to make it easier for all people to do business. It is recommended to install a service point loop at the service desk, which would improve the accessibility of the space consultation.

The accessibility of the hall can be improved by, for example, lightening the opening mechanism of the hall door, marking accessible places more clearly, installing a handrail, or railing, on the staircase of the hall, and contrasting tracks on the steps of the stairs. In addition, opportunities for unobstructed access to the hall stage will be explored.

"Accessibility mapping opened our eyes and thoughts to look at spaces and activities in a new way. The report has been helpful in planning the renovation for spring 2025. It is intended to improve the accessibility of our concert hall. Things don't happen overnight, but the report is a good tool for the long-term development of accessibility," Kaukametsä event manager Minna Tuunainen summarizes. 

Assessment and updating of the accessibility plan: Kajaani Art Museum (10/2023-05/2024)

Developing a participatory model for museums: Kajaani Art Museum and Kainuu Museum (05/2024-) 

The Kajaani Art Museum and the Kainuu Museum enthusiastically committed to developing equality work as one of the pilots of the Equal Oulu2026 project.

The Kajaani Art Museum's accessibility plan was updated by the entire staff. In this way, it was possible to utilise the competence of each employee and strengthen it. The way of working also engaged employees in promoting equality in their own daily work.

It was natural for the Kainuu Museum to join in when there was a desire to find new ways to engage people in the museum's activities.

Both museums immediately set out to implement the findings in small, meaningful steps.

”We exist for visitors and want to make the art museum more accessible to everyone,” said Museum Director Pirjo Immonen.

The Kajaani Art Museum already had an exemplary accessibility plan, but it needed to be updated. The effectiveness of the plan was assessed using an impact chain tool. It helped to assess how the plan had affected the state of accessibility, diversity and equality. In this way, the needs, challenges and realistic means of actively tackling discrimination and promoting equal and accessible museum activities were identified.

For example, the following issues were identified as development activities: 

• Strengthen cooperation and interaction with other cultural institutions in the city
• Investing in easy-to-read communication and exhibition activities
• Increase cooperation with integration trainings and associations
• Communicate about the Kajaani Art Museum as a diverse work community
• Being present at events and occasions
• Further strengthening the equality competence of employees 

”We were dealing with important issues. I think about their technical and practical implementations." - Guide-supervisor of the Kajaani Art Museum Lassi Niiranen.

While working, it was found that investing in inclusion work is a way to reduce inequality, exclusion and discrimination, especially among those experiencing poor inclusion. Kainuu Museum joined the development work.

The following questions were asked together:

 „How can a museum be pleasant and interesting to as many people as possible?”

„What are the common values and goals, dreams and utopias?”

„What can we do ourselves to help narrow the gap between the participation of different population groups?”

„How do we take this into account in our strategy?” 

Concrete ideas were found to increase museum participation, such as going to places where people cannot enter museums (such as prisons or care homes), themes created together with minority groups, building an exhibition space as a community meeting place, or collaborating with enthusiasts and collectors. 
 

For finding people who do not visit museums, ideas were created, for example, conducting pop-up workshops at large public events or hosting an event at an exhibition-free museum with surprising content.

Contact with minority groups could be established with peers, associations and organisations. A peer wonderer would be a person with whom you can go to a museum and/or share a museum experience. They would lower the threshold for interest in the museum.

It was found that people can be involved with even the smallest of resources: You can contribute a little or a lot. It was considered valuable to listen to people's genuine wishes and to take them into account in any case. As a social gathering, museum meetings are valuable in themselves.

Already during the development process, new thinking was tried in public work, such as peeking behind the scenes, quiet museum lessons, single evenings, plain language info, five-minute guided tours and museum dates elsewhere than in the museum.

Lessons to be learned

In order for inclusion work to be a living process, continuum and annual planning are needed. Creating and maintaining a connection requires personal contact, and then social media and e-mail communications alone are not enough. You get to make visible the well-deserved positive feedback and celebrate the beauty of smallness and the wonder of ordinaryness.

“There are directions in the free stream. We don't just do it for the sake of doing it, we develop together from a genuine need."

Maija Räihä, Museum Service Manager at Kajaani Art Museum

Collaboration is important: no one alone can or will dare. It is accepted that not everyone in the work community is involved in the change. Give employees and things time. In addition, museum-free people also have the right to have their own mind.

In brainstorming, it is important that there is a safe space for co-creation, where you dare to propose and brainstorm anything.

The interconnectedness of museums has been strengthened through co-development, and attention to inclusion has become part of the everyday life of museum work. Establishing participative work as one's own activity does not always require big arrangements, but regularity and repetition do matter.

Inclusion work is a living process in which ideas have lived. Trying, testing, and not thinking too seriously.

The expansion of co-operation networks, ideation evenings open to all, and peer-to-peer wonderment continue. Human thought and the courage to wonder aloud what happens in an art work, when there are no right answers.

Museums have great opportunities. When you have your whole life on display there are endless possibilities.

04/2024–12/2024

Implementer: Equal Oulu2026 project and KAIPO project

Background 

The idea of a network of equal cultural management arose from the need of cultural actors themselves, as management in the cultural sector can be lonely and resources vary.

The purpose was to strengthen the competence, understanding and commitment of cultural leaders to promote equality in their own organisations. Through the peer mentoring process, the aim was to test an operating model that had not previously been implemented in the region from the perspective of promoting equality.

Objectives

The objectives of the action were defined by the participants themselves as follows:

• Supporting the Leader's Growth
• Communication and leadership, shared leadership
• Equal HR Management and Recruitment
• Ecological Reconstruction and Social Perspectives
• Cultural Impact and Resources

Actions

Those working in cultural leadership positions were invited to join a facilitated peer network, where they were able to share their own expertise, strengthen their resources and strengthen their equality expertise with peers, facilitated by an expert.

The facilitator was the trainer, work instructor Miriam Attias, who has worked in equality and diversity work and conflict resolution in groups and communities for a long time. They approache the subject by thinking about how improving relationships between different people can improve the well-being of everyone.

The network invited cultural leaders of the Oulu2026 region, such as those leading the municipality's cultural activities, leaders of cultural institutions, festival directors, cultural managers, as well as executive directors of cultural associations and directors of VOS art institutions, both in the free field of art and in municipalities.

Issues of management were addressed in the cultural sector, such as equal human resource management and recruitment, communication management, collectivity, shared leadership and social leadership, and the role of art and culture in ecological reconstruction.

16 participants were selected on the basis of free-form applications. The application process aimed to engage the participants in three meetings in order to give the network a strong start.

There were three face-to-face meetings in Kajaani (August, October and December 2024). After the meetings, the network was supported by the Kainuu Regional Council's KAIPO project, which is about strengthening cultural networks in the Oulu2026 area in 2024-2025. KAIPO is funded by Ministry of Education and Culture (OKM).

1st meeting: Selected topics

• Equal Recruitment and Diversity of Staff
• A tool for self-evaluation of an organization (i.e., what it takes to promote equality at different levels)
• Communication: how to communicate with different audiences about events and activities
• Leadership and social engagement: what is the message of the cultural sector?

Question:

• Write a question: when thinking about leadership and equality in the cultural field - what kind of question do you most wonder about in this topic? 
• What is most challenging for you personally right now?
• On what topic related to promoting equality do you have good practices, know-how or good experiences that you could share with others?
• Would you be willing to host/host and lead a network meeting after December if this is made a revolving responsibility?
   

2nd meeting: Organizational development needs

• Promoting accessibility & equality - how to share what you have learned
• Collaboration as part of everyday life, what I give and receive - benefits to all parties!
• Cultural political influence lobbying, practical actions and examples of how to make an impact, using social media
• Utilization of crowd power, in addition to cultural actors, others to speak on behalf, e.g. business operators
• Tips from the sports sector in terms of sponsorship and funding, for example. 
• Residency activity creates relationships and connects
• Cultural Education Plans: Art and Culture for Early Childhood Education and School - the long-term effects of these

3rd meeting: Tools, reflection and plans for the future

• Catching up since last time
• A tool for planning activities at different levels of the organization - wrapping up last meeting
• Social leadership & the message of the cultural field 
• Further Plans and Spring Meetings 
• Reflection and feedback on the launch of the network

Findings: The network promised to provide a facilitated peer mentoring process and meaningful encounters.

Fulfillment of expectations

• It felt important and valuable to face these people without rushing to feel equal around a common cause. It was a success!
• The discussion between the participants was good, high-quality, with a sense of humor that lightens up a pretty tough issue.
• I made new contacts.
• New people, a flight of thought, ideas came. In particular, the shared feeling and willingness to develop into a better and more equal cultural leader was warming.
• It was different than I expected, but nice. I expected more factual discussion of the topics, but the discussions sprang into peer support issues.
• Good, there were participants from many regions and quarters
• Well fulfilled. I've gotten to know new people in the cultural field and the ones I knew before I've gotten to know better. 

What kind of support did you feel you got for equal cultural leadership?

• We are in the same boat, in the midst of busyness and financial distress. It's always nice to talk to people in your field about things that matter. 
• The experiences of equality issues that were shared in the group were important and support the later handling of the topic in my organization.
• Sharing, exchanging ideas
• I am not alone, and there are many kinds of cultural leadership
• My perspectives broadened and on the other hand became a peer-to-peer experience that regardless of resources, this topic poses challenges for everyone.
• Peer support in a difficult situation that the entire cultural sector is in at the moment. 
   

What would you have hoped would happen differently?

• The discussion would have been enough for several times. On the other hand, it would have been harder to commit to more.
• I may have missed other angles as well - I was inspired by the experience expertise, is there another angle of view/entry for discussion? I do not, however, wish for the view of an opponent of culture/art.
• More structured activities, the discussion sometimes overcharged or there was too much time for individual participants to talk and take the discussion perhaps outside the core topic
• It was fun in Kajaani. In the future, perhaps there could be touring members' places.
• There could also have been meetings, for example. In Oulu, closer.
• I don't know how to take a stand, I was probably expecting more questions about personality, influence and coping.
• That I would have been able to attend earlier times
• I would have liked more concrete examples of equality work
   

What themes would you like the network to address in the future?

• Concrete examples, methods of implementation, good practices of equality work
• Perhaps more so with regard to the strict substance of equality and non-discrimination. On the other hand, joint influence for our industry is important
• Separately different themes: Equality in audience work, human resource management, artistic design - > these only for those who do this kind of management, all targeted at those who are concretely involved with things
• Dismantling the structures of different areas of culture together and whether something should be done about the structures. 
• Social impact from the perspective/methods of positive communication 
• Diversity in the cultural sector, practical issues related to management, cultural sector renewal, internationalisation
• Environmental themes and sustainable development themes

Finally

The network will continue to operate supported by the network itself. During the transition phase, the KAIPO project supports the network.

01/2024–09/2024

Implementer: Taivalkoski municipality
Partners: Taivalkoski Work Centre, Taivalkoski Adult Education Centre.

An art park was planned in Putaansaari in the centre of Taivalkoski to promote people's well-being. The goal was to make art accessible to everyone, regardless of visitors' language skills or other individual characteristics. The scenic frame pilot started the implementation of the art park. 

Equal Art and Strengthening Cooperation

The cultural services of the municipality of Taivalkoski already previously collaborated with various special groups, but not with people with special vocational training in the visual arts. Young mentally disabled artists Samuel Jakkila and Marjukka Kananen were selected as the makers of the scenic frame. This was the first time that artists were able to create a work of art together with another artist.

Jakkila and Kananen designed and manufactured a double-sided scenic frame under the direction of artist Jussi Valtakari. Valtakari has previous experience of working with and teaching artists with intellectual disabilities. Teaching is mutual: the purpose is not only to teach a particular technique, but also to give students the freedom to show new ways of doing things.

Both artists were free to design the other side of the frame. The design phase took place in Valtakari's studio and the preparatory work took place at the Work Centre for the Disabled and at the Taivalkoski Adult Education Centre. The work centre provided assistance in preparing the material and transporting the finished frame, among other things. On the whole, the project was perceived as fun and interesting, as well as an opportunity to develop oneself further.

The art park was opened in the summer of 2024 and the event to announce the scenic frame was in September 2024. The scenic frame was erected on the mainland side, next to the footbridge leading to the island. The landscape frame can be seen in Putaanmutka Art Park in Taivalkoski all year round.

Comments

The guiding artist Valtakari was already familiar to Jakkila and Kananen, so they felt safe to join the pilot. In addition, the activities were carried out in environments familiar to them, such as the work centre for people with intellectual disabilities, where they both work. The intention was to make the scenic framework a joint project, so it was agreed early on that the publication event would be scheduled in such a way that all parties could be involved. 

09/2024–11/2024

Implementer: Svenska Privatskolan i Uleåborg, Luckan i Uleåborg, SPSU:s föräldraförening rf / SPSU Parents' Association.

Oulu is a language island, which refers to a Finnish-speaking municipality where a Swedish-speaking minority lives - 0.2 per cent of the population in Oulu - and where Swedish-speaking early childhood education and basic education are organised. In Oulu, Swedish-language education is provided by Svenska Privatskolan i Uleåborg. There is also a Swedish-language upper secondary school in the city.

Because there are few Swedish-speaking people in Oulu, there are not many Swedish-speaking leisure activities either. The Finnish-Swedish Information and Culture Centre Luckan organises, among other things, language café activities.  

During the autumn of 2024, a Swedish-language book club for adults was held at Luckan. The book club was led by Matilda Viitala, who works as a teacher at Svenska Privatskolan and also runs a Swedish language café.

Eight participants gathered on ten Thursdays to read and discuss a book by French author Valérie Perrin called Färskt vatten till blommorna (Water for Flowers). The participants were of different ages, different genders and had different reading experiences. Many had participated in book clubs before, but never in Swedish. For two participants, this was the first book in Swedish they read.

The book was read at the same pace, everyone on their own, and the content was discussed at the meetings. At each meeting, the participants also raised a quote from the last chapters they read. The conversation was open; sometimes serious, sometimes full of laughter.

Viitala received very positive feedback and many participants expressed their desire to continue participating in the Swedish reading circle if it was implemented again.