Creative Industries: Helsinki’s ‘9 Actions’ creative economy strategy 

Helsinki is scaling up its commitment to the creative economy strategy through the ‘9 Actions’ roadmap, co-developed with industry professionals. It proposes targeted steps to strengthen cultural entrepreneurship, remove administrative barriers, activate underused spaces, and support urban creative ecosystems. With global creative sectors growing rapidly, Helsinki’s long-term competitiveness hinges on how effectively it fosters creative sector growth and supports inclusive, innovation-driven cultural business models.  

Creativity as an engine for economic resilience 

Rather than directly steering the sector, the City of Helsinki’s role is to enable a thriving creative economy strategy. This includes removing bureaucratic barriers, offering targeted incentives, creating affordable creative spaces, and fostering ongoing dialogue with industry stakeholders. 

The report emphasises the importance of the city acting as a facilitator and connector, helping artists, entrepreneurs, and cultural producers navigate systems and access opportunities more effectively. 

The 9 Actions for Helsinki report highlights how the creative industries – from design to audiovisual production – can serve as a core driver of future economic growth and innovation. Despite a strong cultural identity, Helsinki still holds untapped potential in unlocking the creative sector’s contribution to business expansion, employment, and global reputation. 

Nine targeted actions for creative sector growth 

Based on close consultation with creative professionals and international benchmarking, the report proposes nine actionable steps including the creation of bold, long-term cultural initiatives that raise Helsinki’s global profile, competitions to encourage innovation, and dedicated co-working environments to support creative entrepreneurship. The study also recommends activating underused spaces in neighbourhoods to support grassroots business and tailoring small-scale public procurement to support emerging talent in architecture and design. 

Further actions include implementing incentive models to attract audiovisual productions, appointing city-funded facilitators to help creative professionals navigate city systems, leveraging external producer networks for agile project delivery, and establishing pilot residencies for performing arts groups. 

These measures are both visionary and practical – some can be implemented quickly; others require long-term investment and commitment. But all are aimed at enabling a thriving ecosystem where creative businesses can grow, create jobs, attract talent, and fuel innovation. 

Building an inclusive urban creative ecosystem 

A key element in Helsinki’s approach is supporting urban creative ecosystems that extend beyond central institutions. By investing in grassroots infrastructure, underutilised urban spaces, and community-driven platforms, the city aims to democratise access to resources and ensure broad participation. This shift empowers creatives across disciplines, lowers entry barriers, and builds a more inclusive and innovation-driven city identity. 

From vision to momentum 

Now is the time for Helsinki to translate intention into action. Industry actors are ready, and the tools are in place. The city’s future competitiveness depends on making creativity central to urban development – not as an add-on, but as a structural force shaping its economic and social future. 

By implementing these actions, Helsinki will not only grow its creative industries but also reaffirm its identity as a vibrant, forward-thinking, and globally connected cultural capital.