Building “Espoo – The Capital of Children and Young People” together with entrepreneurs
With the new Espoo Story, Espoo proudly carries its title as the Capital of Children and Young People. This is not just a slogan, but the city’s strategic ambition and promise: to build everyday life in which every child and young person can grow, learn and reach their full potential. It means everyday life where children and young people can be active in stimulating environments, and where the cost of hobbies does not become a barrier to participation. The Espoo Story aims to make Espoo a safe, green and pleasant city where literacy, support for learning and wellbeing are prioritised — and promoted together. But how are these promises turned into action? One of the most important tools is public procurement, working in partnership with entrepreneurs and companies.
Procurement helps create everyday environments where children and young people can succeed
Espoo’s procurements cover a very wide range of services and products that are directly connected to the everyday lives of children, young people and the adults who work with them. Current and upcoming tenders listed in the procurement calendar include, for example:
- School and daycare photography services – helping create lasting memories for families through high-quality services.
- Sports and physical activity equipment – providing equipment and environments that support physical activity and wellbeing.
- Intensive individual and group coaching for young adults – supporting independence and a fresh start.
- Translation services – the city’s multilingual nature is directly reflected in service needs, and high-quality translations are a cornerstone of equality.
At the same time, many other services tendered by the city — such as window and high-surface cleaning, building measurements, cost planning, and the procurement of growing media and aggregates — help ensure that daycare centres, schools and local environments are safe, clean and pleasant.
These details may seem small, but together they form the foundation of everyday life for children and young people. The Espoo Story also highlights literacy, nearby nature and managed growth. These are goals that are continuously reflected in the city’s investments and maintenance procurements.
The Capital of Children and Young People needs partners — your company could be one of them
Espoo is growing strongly, and this is exactly what makes the city such an interesting place for companies. As a city with a young population, Espoo needs new daycare centres, schools, services, technologies and operating models.
It needs coaching, translations, digital solutions, cleaning services, construction expertise, care for natural environments and multidisciplinary promotion of wellbeing.
The Espoo Story emphasises that every child and young person deserves equal opportunities — and that this is achieved together. This “together” also includes companies that want to be part of the ecosystem building the city. When you offer your expertise to the city, you are also offering it to future generations.
Why take part in Espoo’s procurements?
- You have a direct impact on the everyday lives of children and young people. In practice, almost every procurement is reflected in learning environments, opportunities for physical activity, safety or the work of professionals.
- Espoo offers predictability and transparency. The procurement calendar, market dialogues and clear guidance make it easier to get involved.
- A wide range of procurements opens doors to many industries. Translations, coaching, equipment purchases, construction, digital services, maintenance, cultural services and countless other opportunities — there is potential for almost every type of company.
- Participation is an investment in our shared future. The children and young people of Espoo are the experts, entrepreneurs and doers of the future. Their success benefits the entire city — including its businesses.
You can easily explore these and other key upcoming tender opportunities in Espoo through the procurement calendar published on the city’s website (in Finnish). The calendar is updated at least four times a year.
More detailed information on tenders already underway and invitations to market dialogue can be found in the Hilma service(external link, opens in a new window). In Hilma, you can also create your own search alert, for example based on the procurement category or CPV code.
Entrepreneur — seize the opportunity and join us in building Espoo for children and young people
Espoo’s procurements are not simply about buying at the lowest price. They are also a way to realise the vision of a city that grows in a controlled way, learns, renews itself and takes care of every child and young person.
For companies, this is an opportunity to help build a future where wellbeing, equality and responsibility are turned into concrete action.
Espoo invites companies to become its partners. It is an invitation to make an impact — and to build, together, a city where children and young people can truly reach their full potential.
Further information and guidance on public procurement
See also the frequently asked questions on public procurement
The Espoo Story
The content of this article was partly produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence.