Literacy, local nature and controlled growth - this is the new Espoo Story

Espoo wants to be a city where children and young people can thrive and achieve their goals. Nature, safety and a sustainable future make Espoo a good hometown for all its residents.

In Espoo, all children and young people can succeed and fulfil their potential, states the city’s new strategy, the Espoo Story, for 2025–2029.

Supporting the opportunities and everyday life of children and young people are key goals for Espoo.

In the coming years, special focus will be placed on ensuring that every child achieves good literacy in Finnish or Swedish. Literacy forms the basis for further studies, work and coping in society in general.

Espoo wants to ensure that residential areas are pleasant and safe, with local nature always close by. These goals should not be overshadowed by rapid growth.

Therefore, the new strategy emphasises controlled growth, promising that the city will prioritise quality over quantity in its development. Construction plans will place special emphasis on forests, parks and outdoor trails.

Safety goes hand in hand with comfort. Espoo wants to ensure that every district is a place where families can live worry-free and where children can get to school and recreational activities safely.

An increasing number of Espoo residents have a mother tongue other than Finnish or Swedish. Looking ahead, it is important to make sure that new residents become part of the community.

Internationality also brings enormous opportunities to Espoo. Aalto University and technology companies attract talent from all over the world.

The aim is to be the best place in the Nordic countries for international experts and, at the same time, to offer Espoo-based companies ways to grow on the international market.

Espoo's strategy is supported by a roadmap that serves as a strategic tool. The roadmap consists of seven main goals, and their achievement is monitored with concrete indicators.

For example, improving children’s literacy is not just a statement but it is monitored and measured in practice. 

1. In Espoo, all children and young people can succeed and fulfil their potential.
2. Espoo grows in a controlled manner and all neighbourhoods are pleasant and safe.
3. Espoo moves towards carbon neutrality and improves the natural environment.
4. Espoo is the best place for innovation, business and employment.
5. Espoo succeeds in the opportunities and challenges of internationalisation.
6. Staff thrive and make use of partnerships.
7. Espoo’s finances are on a sustainable footing.

The Espoo Story – the city strategy for 2025–2029 – has been prepared in close cooperation with Espoo’s residents, staff and elected officials. Espoo residents were able to participate in the preparation by responding to two My Espoo surveys, among other things. 

Read more about the Espoo Story

Text: Susanna Cygnel
This article was originally published in the Espoo-lehti magazine 3/2025. Read other Espoo-lehti articles.