Participatory budgeting has helped to improve the wellbeing and social interaction of children and the young
During the Influential Day, arranged in April 2023, children and the young were invited to generate ideas on how to spend the participatory budgeting allocation. During the course of the year, we have implemented the ideas proposed by the children and the young.
Yeboyah was the main artist at Vaskivuori high school's Halloween party. Photographer: Rea Syrjänsuo
The young got to know each other at a Halloween party
Vaskivuoren lukio (Vaskivuori high school) arranged a party on the eve of Halloween, October 30, 2023. The purpose of the party was to group students, and on estimate, 400 students participated in the Halloween party. The event was one of the winning participatory budgeting ideas of the 2023 Influential Day.
“There were seven of us who arranged the party at the school, we have received really good feedback on social media. Students want more of these kinds of activities”, says Aino Arponen, member of the board of Vaskivuori high school's student association.
“Next day, it's really great to say ´hi´ to new faces in the school hallway”
Aino Arponen, member of the board of Vaskivuori high school's student association
Outdoor movie was a success
Late on a September evening, families, groups of children and the young began to gather on the lawn of Korso’s Ankkapuisto event meadow. Blankets were spread on the lawn, and the sound of bags of chips opening began to be widely heard. At its peak, around 500 participants enjoyed the magic of the movie in the event arranged at the end of September.
“I wish these kinds of events took place more often!”
Comment voiced by the audience
Ideas voiced by children and the young promote wellbeing
During the 2023 Influential Day, all Vantaa schoolchildren and students could vote on how to spend the participatory budgeting money. After the vote, the most feasible projects were selected, to be further developed with the city’s experts and the children and the young.
For example, more comfortable seats were acquired for educational institutions, and cultural events have been arranged for students and children. Jokiuoma park will have a zipline, and Kartanonkoski sports park will be developed. Varia campuses’ gyms will be improved, and Tikkurila swimming hall will acquire new water sports and other equipment. In addition, schools in the Korso-Koivukylä area will have snacks for a few weeks in the spring of 2024.
Children and the young are helped to participate in myriad ways
In the 2024 Influential Day process, children and the young of all ages will again generate participatory budgeting ideas, supported by their teachers and counselors. Idea-generation sessions are arranged in daycare centers, schools, educational institutions, and youth centers.
The Influential Day will take place on May 8, 2024, and children and the young can then again further develop the winning proposals together with the city’s experts.
Events for children and young people that have been organised with participatory budgeting
What does participatory budgeting entail?
Ideas for the city-level can be submitted between 1 and 30 November 2023. Proposals will be voted on from April 1 to April 21, 2024. All Vantaa residents aged 13 and over are entitled to vote. Follow us on: vantaa.fi/osbu
