'My Suburb - Best Suburb!' project within the Finnish basic education system

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

School and socio-spatial segregation emerges in Finland in the largest cities and we at Espoo aim to reduce school segregation in many ways. Here are three highlights from the “My Suburb – Best Suburb” project, continuing until 2025, where pilot actions have been conducted in three neighborhoods.

Firstly, school can be more than a place to learn – a community hub of the suburb. Local events were organized at schools where residents got to know the school’s staff, local hobby associations and other organizations supported by interpreters when needed. In late 2023, one of these events counted more than 200 participants of all ages.

Secondly, traditional parents’ evenings were customized to better meet the needs of the parents with the help of Espoo’s cultural instructors and translators. This is how not only language, but culture is translated – thus, strengthening the sense of community and building trust between school and families.

Thirdly, upper comprehensive school students were involved in battling school segregation. Students composed their ideas to an action program to the deputy mayor and participated in the Mayor’s innovation competition with ideas they were already testing at school.