School meals received the most votes in participatory budgeting

The City of Riihimäki will implement twelve resident ideas based on the participatory budgeting vote in 2026. This year's participatory budgeting saw a record number of resident ideas and a significant increase in the number of voters. In January, 1464 Riihimäki residents voted in the participatory budgeting vote, which is a record number, 49% more than the previous year.

There were many suggestions from children and young people themselves, and they also received strong support. The suggestions from young people particularly emphasized school meals and snacks offered at school, and they were also supported. No fewer than three school meal or snack experiments were voted for implementation.

"It is a pleasure to note that there were many suggestions from children and young people this year and they received strong support. We will be able to implement no fewer than eight ideas that will impact the lives of children and young people. This year's results show that residents are active and value the smooth flow of everyday life, community spirit and equal opportunities to do activities and feel good," says Wellbeing Coordinator Marjo-Kaisa Konttinen.

35,000 euros for school food experiment

The largest project to be implemented through participatory budgeting in 2026 in terms of euro is the Better Quality School Food experiment. The project received an overwhelming response from city residents, receiving the most votes, 836 votes. The project's budget is 35,000 euros. This budget can be used to implement a one-month experiment, where 0,50 €/student more is budgeted for school food in comprehensive schools and upper secondary schools than at present. With the additional budget, fresh bread, cold cuts, fruit, a richer salad or dessert can be offered on a daily basis. After the experiment, feedback will be collected from the students and the feedback will be brought to the attention of decision-makers.

100 euros allocated annually

An annual budget of 100,000 euros has been allocated for participatory budgeting. The cost estimates of the plans now selected for implementation exceeded that amount, so the budget for the last proposal selected for implementation by vote, benches for bus stops, remains at 7,000 euros, which will enable the purchase and installation of 3–4 accessible benches at the most frequently used bus stops where adding a bench is possible.

Ideas voted for implementation in order of number of votes:

• 836 votes, Higher quality school food experiment €35,000
• 478 votes, Afternoon snack for middle schools experiment €10,000
• 396 votes, Contribution to the costs of the Homeless Night event €1,000
• 386 votes, Free activities for all ages €10,000
• 377 votes, water tram to Riihimäki swimming pool €5,000
• 307 votes, Free snacks for high school students experiment €10,000
• 299 votes, More defibrillators for Riihimäki €10
• 292 votes, support from Asenne ry and moped activities for young people €6,000
• 277 votes, Bicycle maintenance equipment to borrow from the library €1,000
• 273 votes, Riihimäki Traffic Park pop-up €2,000
• 270 votes, Children's Ö, Ö-house life for children and families €3,000
• 251 votes, Benches for bus stops (Original budget €10,000) €7000

From the 6th grade you can vote

The participatory budgeting vote was held from 5 to 31 January 2026 on the website atsaltu.riihimaki.fi. All 6th graders or older registered in the city of Riihimäki had the right to vote.

A total of 82 proposals were submitted by city residents for participatory budgeting, some of which did not exceed the support threshold, some did not comply with the rules of participatory budgeting, and some were combined. 50 plans ended up for voting.

"Participatory budgeting gives city residents the opportunity to improve the amenity of the urban environment and the development of city services. Participatory budgeting offers a direct channel for influencing the use of city funds," says Mira Ahjoniemi, project manager for participatory budgeting.

All voting results are visible on the participation platform.