The Sports and Exercise Committee was responsible for the Youth Council initiative on recreational activities for children and young people

The first interim report examines operations from the beginning of January to the end of April. At the beginning of the year, events for seniors and children and young people were well attended. The trial event for seniors and the dance event were attended by nearly 600 seniors. The Hop-On Hop-Off event for children and young people during the winter holiday week or attended approximately 2,500 children in the Kameleonten multi-purpose hall.

A total of six partnership events were also organised at the beginning of the year. The Assembly Gaming Day Espoo event organised in cooperation with youth and cultural services reached more than 5,400 young people.

“On the basis of this council term, I can say that the strength of Espoo is its diversity. There are opportunities for sports and fitness activities that suit every taste, including traditional sports such as swimming or football or e-sports games. Events are good places to try new things and exercise together with others,” says Leo Heiskanen, Chair of the Sports and Exercise Committee.

The Sports and Exercise Unit continuously develops ways to support recreational activities for children and young people in Espoo

The Sports and Exercise Committee acknowledged the response of the Sports and Exercise Unit to the Youth Council initiative. Its aim is to increase opportunities for physical activity, especially for young people who do not feel they are well suited to high-level competitive sports. This would strengthen the physical and mental health of young people, promote their social life and create a positive team spirit between young people from different backgrounds.

The Sports and Exercise Unit has taken several measures to enable each young person to find something that interests them. The Sports and Exercise Unit cooperates closely with Espoo clubs.

“The aim of the entire city is to ensure that every child and young person has a hobby and that everyone’s physically active lifestyle is supported. For this purpose, we use the Finnish Model for Leisure Activities, and the department also has its own model for recreational activities in Espoo,” says Martti Merra, Director of Sports.

Each year, the Sports and Exercise Unit supports clubs in setting up recreational activity groups for children and young people. Almost 200 groups have been established with the support of the Sports and Exercise Unit, and more than 3,500 children and young people are engaged in these activities.

In the autumn of 2023, a new form of support was introduced as part of the operational grant for clubs. The emphasis is specifically on organising recreational activity groups aimed at young people outside club activities who are not yet engaged in any physical activity. In 2024, these groups totalled 46, with 33 different clubs organising them. There were a total of 18 different activities. The Sports and Exercise Unit provided clubs organising these low-threshold groups with a total of EUR 220,000 in support.

“We provided extensive information on the recreational activities, but not all of the information has reached its target yet. We also need support from young people to share information. Our Sports and Exercise Unit is happy to cooperate with the Youth Council so that we can better bring together young people wanting to join a club, clubs and functional conditions for recreational activities,” says Merra. 

In addition, the Sports and Exercise Committee processed claims for a revised decision. Read more about all the topics discussed and decisions made at the meeting (in Finnish).(external link, opens in a new window)

This June meeting was the last meeting of the current Sports and Exercise Committee. The Sports and Well-being Committee will convene in the autumn.