Turku has been an international city for nearly 800 years. Since its founding, the city has served as a gateway to the West, through which knowledge and expertise have reached Finland. The role of internationality in cities is becoming increasingly significant.

International cooperation with various networks and partners lays the foundation for economic growth and investments, enriches urban culture, and increases interaction between different cultures.

International activities also promote education and research, bring international expertise to Turku, and introduce new perspectives and technologies. International cooperation plays an important role in addressing global challenges such as climate change. Turku is a global forerunner in climate action.

International activities are an integral part of the City of Turku’s daily work and support the development of Turku as a vibrant, diverse and sustainable urban environment.

Turku's and Southwest Finland's Europe Office

Turku and Southwest Finland are also operating in Brussels. The Europe Office makes sure that their interests are represented on an EU-level.

Turku supports Ukraine

Turku condemns the Russian attack on Ukraine. Turku has taken numerous steps for the good of Ukraine since the war began.
International House Turku

Are you looking for information on matters important to immigrants? International House Turku brings together advisory and guidance services that promote and support integration and attract international talent.

International House Turku

Turku influences through international networks

Active participation in networks is an essential part of cooperation between cities. The key objectives of international cooperation are:

  • thematic cooperation, for example in sustainable development and climate, education and training, culture, business and logistics
  • comparison of best practices and exchange of information and experiences
  • utilisation of external funding opportunities
  • joint advocacy in European urban policy

Below you will find three of our key networks.

Eurocities

The Eurocities organisation's purpose is to promote European city politics.

Union of the Baltic Cities, UBC

UBC is the Northern Europe's leading cities' union, to which over 70 cities around the Baltic Sea belong.

ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability

ICLEI is a global network, which supports the sustainable growth of cities and areas. Over 2,500 local and regional administrations belong to the network.

Twin city cooperation creates opportunities for collaboration

The City of Turku has a comprehensive network of thirteen twin cities in Europe. Twin cities form a long-established contact network that is easy to utilise for bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

Forms of twin city cooperation include, for example, cooperation between schools as well as youth and cultural exchanges. In recent years, efforts have been made to identify concrete, thematic approaches that are mutually beneficial for both parties.

Turku works closely with its Nordic and Baltic Sea region twin cities, among others. For example, the four-city network formed by Bergen, Gothenburg, Aarhus and Turku meets every two years around a rotating theme in one of the cities. The next meeting will take place in Aarhus in 2025.

Turku’s twin cities

In addition, Turku has a valid cooperation agreement with the City of Tianjin in the People’s Republic of China.

Further information on the City of Turku’s international activities

Mika Akkanen Director of International Affairs