Over 1,000 participants at Tampere Residents' Evenings – give feedback
This spring, the City of Tampere organised four Tampere Residents' Evenings in different parts of the city, attracting a total of around 1,050 residents. The format of the much-praised Tampere Residents' Evenings continues to be developed. Residents are invited to share feedback and ideas for improving the events.
Tampere Residents' Evenings are open events where local residents can learn about current city issues and share their views.
At these fair-style events, participants can explore topics of interest at their own pace. During the evening, a Deputy Mayor or other experts present issues relevant to local residents and engage in discussion with the audience.
The events also offer opportunities to enjoy culture and to learn about the activities of local associations.
– At the heart of it all is residents’ opportunity to participate and have an influence on shared matters, says Regional Coordinator Jarno Koskinen, who is responsible for organising the Tampere Residents' Evenings.
Four different evenings across the city
In spring 2026, Tampere Residents' Evenings were held in Hervanta, Peltolammi, Nekala and Kaukajärvi. The events attracted around 1,050 participants in total.
– The evening in Nekala was particularly popular, with around 300 attendees. That is a high number for an area dominated by detached housing, Koskinen says.
The themes and programmes of the Tampere Residents' Evenings varied by area.
The Hervanta evening formed part of Tampere’s Anti-Racism Week events.
– During the evening, we discussed equality and safety. These topics attracted a diverse group of participants. There were many Tampere residents of different ages whose roots are abroad, Koskinen explains.
The Hervanta evening concluded with a concert by musician Isaac Sene, who ended his performance by dancing together with children and young people.
The theme of the Peltolammi Tampere Residents' Evening was the Peltolammi Wellbeing Centre, construction of which will begin in autumn 2026. Project Manager Jani Boström outlined the project timetable and the planned activities for the building.
– The wellbeing centre will house a school, daycare centre, youth facilities and a library. We knew the topic would interest residents, but we were still surprised by the crowds. One factor behind the event’s popularity was the children’s music group Mimmit, which attracted many families with children, Koskinen says.
The Nekala Tampere Residents' Evening was held at the Nekalab Cultural Centre, located in the renovated premises of the former Nekala school.
– Residents streamed in. Some came to see their old familiar school, others wanted to explore the new cultural centre, and some were interested in other topics such as Nekala’s parks, public transport connections or the southern local master plan, which will begin soon and will affect the area, Koskinen summarises.
The Nekala evening was rounded off with musical performances that drew the audience in. The crowd joined in singing with the Rauhankuoro choir of Legioonateatteri, and then stayed to enjoy music by singer-songwriter Samae Koskinen.
The final Tampere Residents' Evening of the spring took place in Kaukajärvi. The event featured a record number of themed tables, with more than 20 different organisations presenting their activities.
The main theme of the Kaukajärvi evening was local meeting places and the activities residents would like to see there. Participants could respond to an interviewer’s questions or write their wishes on sticky notes about activities that bring people together.
– In Kaukajärvi, as well as in Hervanta and Peltolammi, there were many children and young people among the participants. We have succeeded in creating such a welcoming atmosphere at the residents’ evenings that even teenagers feel comfortable attending, Koskinen says with a smile.
Praise and criticism from residents and mystery shoppers
The spring Tampere Residents' Evenings have received praise from residents, hosts of themed tables and local associations alike. The events have also generated criticism and ideas for improvement.
– I hope we will receive even more feedback and ideas from Tampere residents. What city-related topics would you like to hear about? Have city representatives presented issues clearly, and have they engaged with residents in a respectful way? Have the venues been easy to access? Koskinen asks.
All feedback is received with gratitude, and it is used to further develop the Tampere Residents' Evenings to better meet residents’ needs.
At the Tampere Residents' Evenings in spring 2026, so-called mystery shoppers recruited through the Tampere Panel were also involved. They systematically assessed the events and their communications.
Improving through feedback
Thanks to feedback received in previous years, one or more Deputy Mayors now regularly attend the Tampere Residents' Evenings to meet residents and engage with them directly.
Based on residents’ wishes, the content of the Tampere Residents' Evenings has been made increasingly local. The programmes of area-specific events held outside the city centre are designed to reflect topics that are of particular interest to local residents.
Communication relating to the Tampere Residents' Evenings has also been renewed.
– Nowadays, we publish a separate news item about each Tampere Residents' Evening with more detailed information about the programme. We also go out into the neighbourhoods ahead of the events to distribute invitations to residents, Koskinen explains.
Information about the Tampere Residents' Evenings continues to be shared via the City of Tampere website and social media, on screens on buses and trams, on digital screens in libraries and other city facilities, in the Tampere events calendar, in the Tampere.Finland city app, on posters placed on local noticeboards, and through announcements in local newspapers. The events are also promoted in residents’ own local Facebook groups.
– Even so, we still receive feedback that our communications are not sufficient. Please tell us what other ways we could use to promote the events, so that as many people as possible hear about the Tampere Residents' Evenings, Koskinen encourages.
Three Tampere Residents' Evenings in the autumn
The Tampere Residents' Evenings will continue in autumn 2026.
The season will begin in early September with a Tampere Residents' Evening attended by the Mayor, Deputy Mayors and the Chair of the City Council. An area-specific evening in Tesoma and an English-language Tampere Residents' Evening are also planned.
