Youth Council

The Espoo Youth Council is a nonpartisan representative body for young people in Espoo, which wields the voice of young people in the city’s organisation.

In Espoo, the Youth Council has the right to speak at and attend meetings of the City Board, the City Council and all city committees. The Youth Council contributes by making statements, taking initiatives, stating positions and organising events. Members of the Youth Council meet once a month at a general assembly, where the biggest decisions are taken.

Members are elected in Youth Council elections every two years. All young Espoo residents between 13 and 18 years of age can stand as candidates and vote in the elections.

The aim of the Youth Council’s activities is to raise young people’s awareness of social activities and opportunities for influence in order to inspire them to follow current matters and actively influence them.

The activities of the Youth Council are coordinated by youth work coordinators from Espoo’s Youth Services. The aim of the coordinators is to help the council members carry out the Youth Council’s activities in the best possible way throughout the city organisation.

Further information: nuorisovaltuusto@espoo.fi

The coordinators of the Youth Council are Tiia Ylä-Peräinen and Camilla Bergman (firstname.lastname@espoo.fi).

Chairperson for 2024 is Pauli Rantatupa (pauli.rantatupa@gmail.com).

The highest decision-making body of the Youth Council is the general assembly, which takes place once a month at the City of Espoo’s Council Hall. Agendas and minutes are available at espoo.fi. The general assemblies are open to all interested parties and can be observed on site.

The general assembly is chaired by the chairperson, the agenda is published at least three days beforehand, and the minutes are drawn up formally afterwards. The agenda and invitation the general assembly are sent to all members of the Youth Council.

The general assembly makes the important decisions about the Youth Council. The general assembly approves initiatives and positions and elects the chairpersons, the board of directors, the regional chairs and the representatives for committees. The general assembly decides on the direction of the Youth Council’s activities and the use of its budgetary appropriations. At general assemblies, members also report on topical issues in their respective areas of responsibility.

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Meetings start at 5 p.m.

The Youth Council elects representatives from among its members to the city’s committees and various positions of trust. The elected representatives can attend meetings, present the initiatives approved by the Youth Council and express young people’s opinions on the issues discussed at the meetings. The representatives of the Youth Council do not have the right to vote at meetings. A position of trust is about concrete and practical advocacy work. Being a representative in a position of trust can be challenging and requires effort, but it is also an excellent way to make a difference and participate in the city’s development and decision-making.

Positions of trust in 2025

Committees:

Growth and Learning Committee: Olli Tiihonen, deputy member Kaisa Pohjanmaa

City Planning Committee: Miko Manninen, deputy member Isabel Saario

Culture and Youth Committee: Iida Karjalainen, deputy member Edwin Kivijärvi

Sports and Wellbeing Committee: Thomas Karppinen, deputy member Ilmari Kangas

Environment and Building Control Committee: Aatos Caesar, deputy member Hashim Abaas

Committee for Swedish Education and Culture: Max Höglund, deputy member Zakaria Maadidi

Technical Services Committee: Kasperi Reunanen, deputy member Olli Tiihonen

Advisory boards and committees:

Equality Committee: Elif Huttunen, deputy member Elina Parviainen

Cross-administrative steering groups:

Sustainable Espoo: Lahja Pietilä, deputy member Edwin Kivijärvi

Dynamic Espoo: Aatos Caesar, deputy member Olli Tiihonen

Events Together in Espoo: Ilari Sell, deputy member Elina Parviainen

Healthy Espoo: Elif Huttunen, deputy member Olli Tiihonen

Welfare working groups and other bodies:

Welfare working group for Espoonlahti: Väinö Multamäki, deputy member Asma Hussein

Welfare working group for central and northern Espoo: Sofia Denut, deputy member Kaisa Pohjanmaa

Welfare working group for the Leppävaara area: Noora Suikkari, deputy member Kaisa Pohjanmaa

Welfare working group for the Matinkylä-Olari-Tapiola area: Iida Karjalainen, deputy member Hashim Abaas

Youth welfare working group: Väinö Multamäki, deputy member Hashim Abaas

Growth and Learning Sector Management Group: Outi Ala-Kojola, deputy member Hashim Abaas 

Disability Council: Sofia Denut, deputy member Olli Tiihonen

Steering group for Ohjaamotalo: Sofia Denut, deputy member Lahja Pietilä

Initiatives by the Youth Council are most often inspired by shortcomings in the city’s services and bring forward new proposals for action. Ideas for initiatives come from Youth Council members and other young people. Anyone can contact the Youth Council and suggest important issues the Youth Council should address. A member of the Youth Council prepares an initiative, which is discussed in the General Assembly. Approved initiatives are taken to the committees through the City Registry.

The aim of positions is to influence the current decisions of the city. The preparation of a position requires careful examination of the matter and related reports. Often positions are prepared jointly or a responsible person is chosen for their preparation. Positions are approved by the general assembly.

The chairperson of the Youth Council acts as the chairperson of the council’s general assemblies and board meetings and is responsible for the development of the Youth Council’s activities as a whole.

The chairperson is the primary representative of the Youth Council externally and, together with the youth work coordinators, invites the media to the council’s events. Furthermore, the chairperson is responsible for cooperation with other youth councils, especially in the capital region. The chairperson is also responsible for starting the preparation of the annual action plan, together with the board.

The first vice-chairperson is responsible for all duties of the chairperson during his/her absence. The second vice-chairperson is responsible for all duties of the first vice-chairperson during his/her absence.

The Youth Council’s chairperson is Pauli Rantatupa, the first vice-chairperson is Patrik Lähdesmäki and the second vice-chairperson is Kaisa Pohjanmaa.

The Youth Council elects six persons from among its members to form the Youth Council Board. The board also includes the chairpersons.

The board prepares the agendas for the general assemblies and makes proposals for decisions on the matters to be discussed. The board meets at least once between general assemblies, and its meetings are open to all members of the Youth Council.

The board members are Outi Ala-Kojola, Aatos Caesar, Thomas Karppinen, Kasperi Reunanen, Sofia Denut, and Elif Huttunen.

The secretary is Iida Karjalainen.

The round table of the student council boards (OPKH) includes the chairperson and one vice-chairperson of the student council from each general upper secondary school in Espoo. The members have the right to bring initiatives and statements to the round table.

The round table has a chairperson elected by the Youth Council, and the body also has a vice-chairperson. The chairperson and vice-chairperson are obliged to attend the meetings of the Youth Council Board. The chairperson must convene the round table once every two months. Representatives are elected to positions of trust annually. The round table meetings follow the same rules as the Youth Council meetings. The round table members also elect a secretary for the body.

The round table has the right to bring statements and initiatives to the general assembly of the Youth Council through the board. The round table also has the right to two representatives entitled to attend and speak at the general assemblies. The round table is responsible for preparing its action plan and annual report.

Sofia Denut is the representative and chairperson of the Youth Council and Patrik Lähdesmäki is the vice-chairperson.

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The Espoo Youth Council has five seats in the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County’s Youth Council. The Western Uusimaa County Council granted the representatives of the Youth Council the right to attend and speak at the meetings of the County Board, the County Council and the county’s committees. Western Uusimaa and Espoo will continue to lead the way in promoting young people’s opportunities to make a difference.

The Wellbeing Services County has been responsible for providing health, social and rescue services as well as the services of school psychologists and school social workers for the residents of Espoo, Hanko, Ingå, Karkkila, Kauniainen, Kirkkonummi, Lohja, Raseborg, Siuntio and Vihti as of 1 January 2023.

Members:

• Outi Ala-Kojola
• Kaisa Pohjanmaa
• Pauli Rantatupa
• Kasperi Reunanen
• Miko Manninen 

Deputy members (based on their number of votes; no personal deputies):

1. Ilari Sell, 2. Elif Huttunen, 3. Aatos Caesar, 4. Thomas Karppinen, 5. Olli Tiihonen

Youth Council 2026-2027. After each member’s name, you can find the number of votes they received when elected.
 

Results are announced on 5 December 2025

The members of the Youth Council are elected through an election every two years. All young people who turn 13–18 during the election year and whose official municipality of residence is Espoo can vote and stand for election.

The term of the Youth Council is two years. For example, the current term started on 1 January 2024 and ends on 31 December 2025. A total of 40 council members are elected based on the number of votes they receive.

Espoo’s first Youth Council was established in March 1997. The members were elected through postal voting. Young people aged 13–20 were allowed to vote and stand for election. Since then, the age limits and voting method have changed. The election takes place in the autumn of odd-numbered years at all Espoo schools that have pupils and students who are eligible to vote and stand for election. The election is organised online.

Espoo’s youth council election is coordinated by the city’s youth work coordinators, but the election is organised in close cooperation with the city’s other sectors and the cities of Helsinki and Vantaa.

The next youth council election takes place in the autumn of 2025. More information about the youth council elections and candidates can be found here.

Positions and initiatives

• Aloite nimellisistä mielenterveyskyselyistä 
• Aloite Leppävaaran Uimahallin aukioloaikojen muuttamisesta
• Aloite poliisin läsnäolon lisäämisestä kouluissa
• Aloitteet HSL:n toimintaan liittyen; aloite HSL:n lähijunien liitäntäyhteyksien parantamisesta; aloite HSL:n tarkastusmaksujen korottamisesta; aloite HSL:n runkobussien toimintaperiaatteen muuttamisesta
• Aloite laajan kielitarjonnan säilyttämisestä Espoon peruskouluissa
• Aloite kouluruoan ruokarajoitusten poistamiseksi
• Aloite puhelimen käytön rajoittamisesta Espoon peruskouluissa 
• Aloite koskien nuorisovaltuutettujen varajäseniä
• Aloite koskien sijoitustaitojen opettamisen lisäämisestä Espoon peruskouluissa
• Aloite nuorten sähkötupakoinnin kitkemisen tehostamiseen
• Aloite opettajien kouluttamisen lisäämisestä siitä miten puuttua rasistisiin tilanteisiin
• Aloite pulloroskiksista Espooseen
• Aloite peruskoulun kieliohjelman muutoksista
• Aloite yhteisöohjaajien vakiinnuttamisesta kouluarkeen
• Aloite Espoon yläkoulujen oppilaskuntien välisen yhteistyön kehittämisestä Yläkoulujen Pyöreän Pöydän perustamisella
• Kannanotto toisen asteen maksuttomuuden säilyttämisestä 
• Kannanotto Espoon kaupungin osallistumisesta Helsinki Pride-tapahtumaan
• Kannanotto Espoon lukioiden uusien opiskelijoiden nimilistojen julkaisemisesta kaupungin nettisivuilla
• Kannanotto Espoon kaupungin edistettävä Tallinnan tunnelin rakentamista
• Kannanotto Espoon vetäydyttävä Turun tunnin junan hankkeesta

Statements

• Liikuntavammaisten nuorten yhdenvertaisuudesta 
• Lausunto Iivisniemen koulun ja Kaitaan koulun mahdollisesta yhdistämisestä
• Lausunto lasten ja nuorten sähkötupakoinnin kitkemiseksi 
• Lausunto kiusaamisen vastaiseen suunnitelmaan
• Lausunto valtuustoaloitteeseen kotiväkivaltatapauksista
• Lausunto koskien Yleiskaavaa 2060
• Lausunto valtuustoaloitteeseen turvallisesta koulupolusta

Positions and initiatives

• Aloite: Julkisen liikenteen tarkastusmaksu 
• Espoon nuorisovaltuuston aloite Espoon koulujen välisten urheilutapahtumien järjestämiseksi​
• Nuorisotila Niittykumpuun -aloite​
• Painotus luokkien infot englanniksi -aloite
• Liikuntakannanotto​
• Kannanotto: Viherlaakson koulun oppituntien pituutta ei tule lyhentää​
• Kannanotto Espoon kaupunginteatterin uudesta logosta ja julkisista hankkeista​
• Kannanotto: Vastuullista taloudenpidon linjaa jatkettava tulevalla valtuustokaudella​
• Kannanotto Lahnuksen koulun lakkauttamista koskien​

Statements

• Lausunto Kilon ja Keran kaksikielisten opetuksesta​
• Lausunto valtuustoaloitteeseen rauhallisten välituntitilojen saamiseksi kouluihin​
• Kuuleminen valtuustoaloitteeseen lasten ja nuorten älypuhelinten liikakäytön haittojen ehkäisemiseksi opetuksen keinoin​
• Lausunto valtuustoaloitteeseen perusopetuksen ja toisen asteen väliseen siirtymisen tuen mallin​
• Lausunto lukuvuoden 2024–2025 työ- ja loma-ajoista

• Position on sexual harassment experienced by young people
• Position: The number of votes cast in the youth council election must be published!
• Espoo Youth Council’s position on including contact information in initiatives, statements and positions
• Initiative: Registration of general upper secondary schools as return locations for beverage containers
• Initiative to allocate the Espoo Youth Council’s budget surplus to responsible investments
• Initiative: Enabling of admin rights on upper secondary students’ computers

• Youth Council’s statement on the council initiative on increasing competence in body-emotion education in day care centres and schools
• Espoo Youth Council’s statement on the establishment of the wellbeing services county’s youth council
• Espoo Youth Council’s statement on the completion of compulsory education in a local school
• Espoo Youth Council’s statement on the launching of school police activities
• Espoo Youth Council’s statement on school terms and holidays in Espoo in 2023–2024

• Improving the digital learning environment

• Statement relating to breakfast service 

• Recycling capacity at schools must be improved
• Combination birth control pills should be dispensed until 25 years of age
• Sustainable development at schools in Espoo 
• COVID-19 pandemic prevention measures at Espoo schools
• City finances must be put in order
• ‘Economically sustainable Espoo’ productivity and adjustment programme for economic stabilisation measures
• The future of Espoo’s sustainable development policy
• Increasing voter turnout among young people

• Statement on the call for preparations for organisational reform (PDF, 16 KB)

• Statement on the story of Ohjaamotalo
• Statement on Arja Juvonen’s summer voucher initiative
• Statement on Espoo’s municipality-specific upper secondary school curriculum reform for 2021
• Statement on making the Leppävaara school sports class experiment permanent practice (PDF, 12 KB)
• Open letter from the youth councils of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area to the Board of the Helsinki Region Transport joint local authority regarding the increase in ticket prices (PDF, 12 KB)
• Observations of the Espoo Youth Council on the City of Espoo’s statement on the Government’s draft proposal on the organisation of social welfare, healthcare and rescue services (PDF, 64 KB)
• Text of the Youth Council on Espoo’s VLR report (PDF, 47 KB)