The Espoo Youth Council

This article series presents cases of innovations built here in Espoo that strive for a better tomorrow for all.

The Espoo Youth Council, composed of forty 13–18 year old Espoo residents elected every two years in the city-wide youth council election, is a politically independent body representing the interests of young people in Espoo, acting as their voice in the city's decision-making process: providing statements, initiating proposals, and making positions known to the Espoo City Board, City Council, and all city committees. Proposals often arise from issues with city services and suggest new courses of action. These ideas come from youth council members and other young people in Espoo. Voting is conducted electronically in all Espoo schools and educational institutions where eligible voting-age youths are present. In the last elections in 2023, 8270 votes were given.

Next elections are held in November 2024, and starting in October, election panels will be organized in schools and educational institutions leading up to the election week. The youth council has the right of presence at all politically-elected decision-making bodies in the city and carefully use their seats to raise the voice of young people.