City Council approved goals of cross-administrative development programmes

For this council term, there are four programmes. Each programme’s steering group includes both elected officials from different parties and office-holders from the city’s sectors. The programmes will promote development, help create new ideas and build networks.

“Within the cross-administrative programmes, we will develop solutions to Espoo’s main challenges through experiments and pilot projects and by learning together. Our approach is built on network-based cooperation with the city’s operators, residents, businesses and other partners,” says Programme Director Päivi Hoverfält.

The cross-administrative development programmes for the council term 2025–2029 are:

• Entrepreneurial Espoo
• Sustainable and Nature-friendly Espoo
• Community Spirit in Espoo
• Event City Espoo

The Espoo Story profiles Espoo as the most business-friendly city in Finland. The aim of the programme is to improve the operating conditions of businesses and promote the creation of new jobs.

“The effectiveness of our development programme is created by the entire Espoo community. The programme focuses on high-quality innovation that generates success for companies of all sizes and creates the conditions for new jobs in all sectors. We will identify and remove barriers to growth, encouraging companies to take steps towards growth and supporting critical expertise. It is natural for Espoo to operate in the EU and make use of EU funding,” says Markku Markkula (National Coalition Party), chairperson of the programme.

The programme takes into account local expertise and future potential.

“We will strengthen local innovation and expertise clusters and make them more visible. We want to create more jobs and services for Espoo residents, for example in the tourism, wellness and experience industries. The programme also encourages young people to become entrepreneurs, especially those who have had limited access to services and support,” says Mervi Heinaro, programme owner and Deputy Mayor for Economic Development, Sports and Culture.

Goals of the Entrepreneurial Espoo programme:

• Businesses and entrepreneurship grow and develop in Espoo
• Espoo’s innovation community grows and achieves its full potential
• Vibrant urban spaces in Espoo attract businesses and residents
• Espoo gives all young people the skills and spark for entrepreneurship

Through the Sustainable and Nature-friendly Espoo programme, the entire city organisation and its partners work towards the environmental sustainability goals defined in the Espoo Story. In particular, the programme focuses on halting biodiversity loss, reducing climate emissions and strengthening Espoo residents’ relationship with nature.

“Solving global environmental crises requires concrete action at a local level. Our aim is to take measures that will lead the city and its partners towards more sustainable practices,” says Tiina Elo (Greens), chairperson of the programme.

“The programme will give a valuable extra boost to Espoo’s climate and environmental work with residents and partners and hopefully encourage new approaches that we would not otherwise explore,” says Olli Isotalo, programme owner and Deputy Mayor for Urban Environment.

The Community Spirit in Espoo programme strengthens inclusion and safety and prevents segregation.

“The main aim is to increase community spirit. We will create conditions for encounters between people of different ages and backgrounds and strengthen our residents’ opportunities to make a difference in their living environment. Segregation is a problem for which there is no ready-made solution. We are building a knowledge base that will help us find solutions to segregation prevention in early childhood education, schools and residential areas,” says Taru Salovaara (Social Democratic Party), chairperson of the programme.

“Promoting community spirit and inclusion and reducing segregation are key elements in our efforts to increase our residents’ wellbeing. Our day care centres and schools lay the foundation for community spirit and inclusion. Everyone should have a sense of belonging and feel that their life is meaningful,” says Merja Narvo-Akkola, programme owner and Deputy Mayor for Growth and Learning.

The Event City Espoo programme helps enliven urban culture by supporting the participation and influence of local operators, the creation of shared spaces, temporary use of spaces, and sustainable travel to events in Espoo.

“We want to bring local operators together and help channel their energy into activities that strengthen neighbourhood pride and vitality. When residents, communities and businesses have genuine opportunities to influence their surroundings, we can create a vibrant urban culture that is reflected in the everyday lives of children and young people and the future of the entire city,” says Noora Fagerström (National Coalition Party), chairperson of the programme.

“The Event City Espoo programme also strengthens urban culture through the use of spaces. Increasing access to shared spaces and enabling their temporary use enlivens different parts of the city. Through collaboration and communication, we promote sustainable travel to events in Espoo,” says Pasi Laitala, programme owner and Director of Strategy and Development.

Goals of the Event City Espoo programme:

• Local operators have more opportunities to participate in and influence the development of urban culture
• Access to shared spaces is increased and temporary use of spaces is enabled to enliven urban culture
• Sustainable travel to events in Espoo is easy and appealing