Student, now is your time to make an impact!

The celebration of democracy – the elections – is only a few months away! Municipal elections are often the elections that feel closest to one’s daily life, as they directly affect our surrounding community at the grassroots level. Municipal and county elections are also the elections where you can vote and be a candidate if you have lived in Finland for two years and have a municipality of residence in Finland. You don't need to have Finnish citizenship. So if you are a foreign student who is interested in municipal politics this is your opportunity to make Vaasa a better place to live! 

Municipal and regional elections consistently feature a diverse range of candidates and future decision-makers from various age groups and backgrounds. However, voter turnout among 18–29-year-olds remains the lowest. In addition, young people are underrepresented in municipal and city councils compared to the rest of the population (*Statistics Finland, 2021). A significant portion of these young people are students like us. Due to our shared life situations, many of the decisions made by municipal and regional councils directly affect us. These decisions can include topics such as transportation, housing, healthcare, and the overall urban environment. As students, we know best how the functionality of these services impacts our lives.

The Student-friendly City survey, conducted by VYY last year, received an impressive number of responses. Based on the results, we have had an excellent opportunity to assess the needs of Vaasa’s students and identify ways to make the city more student-friendly. You can find the survey results in an article and report published in December. The findings revealed several figures that are particularly relevant as elections approach:

• 73% of respondents reported using forms of light transportation (e.g., walking, cycling) in their daily lives. This underscores the importance of functional public transportation and well-maintained pathways for light traffic in students’ everyday routines.
• 56% of respondents found it difficult or somewhat difficult to find housing. The increased number of students has heightened the demand for affordable student housing, a need that has not been adequately met. The construction of new student housing has faced significant challenges, with proposed cuts to investment subsidies.
• 57% of respondents rated the price-to-quality ratio of housing in Vaasa as good or excellent. However, proposed reductions in support for student housing construction, such as shortening the duration of interest-subsidized loans, could lead to rising rents for student apartments. Solutions to this issue must also be found locally.
• For the first time, municipal and county elections will be held simultaneously in April this year. In these elections, we will elect new representatives for both municipal and regional councils. For students, the regional elections particularly highlight the cooperation between the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) and the wellbeing services counties.

Despite shared interests, students are not a homogeneous group. Among us are individuals from various backgrounds and with diverse opinions. You don’t need to be an expert in municipal politics or have detailed knowledge of the administration of wellbeing services counties to participate in decision-making. It’s enough to know what matters and values are important to you. Local politics provides an opportunity to influence your immediate environment and develop your skills. That’s why I encourage everyone to embrace civic activity, whether by running for office or exercising their right to vote!

* Statistics Finland: Over one-half of voters voted in advance

Julius Pentti

Board Member, Municipal Affairs