Cultural vitality in Järvi-Suomi — Savonlinna as European Capital of Culture 2026 — project is a regeneration, revitalisation and image project aiming at economic benefits. The aim of the project is to bring culture to a new level when considering the vitalities of Savonlinna and its surrounding Järvi-Suomi. The municipalities of South Savo, North Savo, South Karelia, North Karelia and North Karelia, as well as the cities Savonlinna, Mikkeli, Kuopio, Lappeenranta and Joensuu.The concrete objective of the cultural vitality project in Järvi-Suomi is to prepare Savonlinna’s participation in the 2026 national competition for the European Capital of Culture and to work on the application document required for the competition. The preparation of the application and the planning of the content of the centenary year are carried out extensively and with the involvement of various actors. The project also serves as a feasibility study, as the project will examine the readiness of Savonlinna and other actors to commit and ressource the preparation and implementation of the eventual European Capital of Culture 2026.The project consists of three networking activities for the ECOC,2.Culture in the strategic development of the regions and preparation for the 3 rd National Capital of Culture Competition.The result of the cultural vitality project in Järvi-Suomi will be 1.background materials and studies that will form the basis for the application for the title year2., an application booklet enabling Savonlinna to participate in the national competition for the Capital of Culture Year, and3.a Finnish network of cultural actors. The Network’s activities will be translated into the common plan and programme content for the 2026 Capital of Culture year.