Children and young people from Riihimäki involved in the city's strategy work

Photo: Jenniina Nummela

Children under school age shared their thoughts on what a nice, safe and fulfilling daycare center, school and place of residence is like. In the children's answers, nature, the proximity of water and enjoyable activities both indoors and outdoors came to the fore. The young people felt that leisure activities, the prevention of bullying, matters related to the health of young people and the functioning of public transport were important issues and targets for development. Children and young people have been consulted on various matters, including during the fall and spring of last year, about child-friendliness, influence, and students' living conditions.

"The participation and consultation of children and young people is important when developing a city. Today's children and youth will be young adults and working families in fifteen years. We want to invest in the well-being of children and young people now, and we want to see them live and enjoy themselves in Riihimäki in the future as well," says cultural director Jarkko Niiranen.

Children and young people have been asked to share their thoughts about the future and development targets as part of the city's RakasRiksu 2035 strategy work. They expressed their opinions through drawings, workshops and participatory surveys.

Since the beginning of 2020, Riihimäki has been actively involved in the development work aimed at the Child-friendly municipality recognition. If the work proceeds according to the planned schedule, Riihimäki can receive the Child-friendly municipality recognition by spring 2023.

Link to the strategy's website.