Advocating pays off! The City of Vaasa raises thesis remuneration

Students can now see results of advocacy work and cooperation in thesis commissions and the remuneration for the work paid by the city. On September 18., the City Council of Vaasa adopted a decision to update a new system for remuneration for theses and dissertations made for the city.

"Every student deserves to be paid for their work."

VYY had started discussions on thesis remuneration in 2022, so advocacy work has been going on for a long time. The most significant step forward was taken in spring 2023, when we joined forces with young councilors from different parties in the Vaasa City Council. That is how we created a common vision: every student deserves to be compensated for their work.

In the past, the city has not had a policy on how much a student is paid for doing their thesis for the city. Individual thesis remuneration may have been paid, but there has been no systematic approach. VYY wants students to be paid the compensation they deserve based on the scope and success of their work. The city also wanted to create a policy. In the past, the city had made it possible to combine an internship with thesis work. This will also be an option in the future. In this case, the student can receive a monthly salary in addition to the remuneration for the thesis.

Advocacy work is a long-term effort

VYY started advocating for the City of Vaasa's budget in 2022, when we sought to increase the number of internships and a month-long free trial for students of public transportation. However, at that time, both themes fell through. This year, we wanted to continue advocating for these themes. In this way, the VYY's handprint can be seen in the benefits and services offered to students in the city for years to come.

The help of the young councilors has been invaluable in advocacy work, and the 50 % increase we now have could not have been achieved without their help. This advocacy work shows how valuable cooperation between young influencers is in Vaasa and elsewhere. It also shows that young people and students in Vaasa recognise their shared interests, such as the well-being of young people and students and how to increase the city's holding power. Together we can make a strong impact. 

The City Council's decision mentions that students can be compensated for their expert work, i.e. a thesis or dissertation, in a situation where the City of Vaasa decides to commission such a thesis and the associated remuneration is agreed in advance with the student. We students can apply to do a thesis for the city through an open application or through a thesis worker position opened by the city.

More information

Elmo Paloniemi
Chair of the executive board
elmo.paloniemi@vyy.fi

Sara Güven
responsible for ampus and municipal affairs
sara.guven@vyy.fi