Participatory budgeting

In 2026, the participatory budgeting allocation is directed to the development of mountain biking trails in Hämeenlinna. A total of 1,169 votes were cast in the vote. The proposal concerning mountain biking trails received the most votes, with 253 residents voting for it, representing 22 per cent of all votes. The proposal to add street art walls came second with 167 votes, and the proposal to improve lighting at Konnari Comprehensive School came third with 91 votes.

During the idea collection phase, three similar proposals concerning the development of mountain biking trails were received. They were combined into a single option for the voting phase. The proposals put forward the implementation of downhill trails, a so-called trail centre, suitable for enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels in the Hämeenlinna area. The city will implement the winning idea in cooperation with hobbyists during 2026.

Activities supporting the mental health of teenagers were organised in cooperation between youth services, education services and integration promotion services. The activities were targeted at pupils with a background in other languages, in accordance with the original proposal.

In June, youth services organised a day camp for pupils in preparatory instruction. Young people aged 18 and over were hired as camp counsellors using summer job vouchers. The camp programme included, among other things, practice in interaction skills and conflict resolution, visits by authorities and joint excursions.

During the camp, the young counsellors and pupils were able to develop ideas for activities for the remainder of the year as well. The participatory budgeting allocation provided the opportunity to establish a shared hobby group or club for the rest of the year.

The allocation was also used to organise multicultural cultural cafés at Nummikeskus. Parent associations and pupils’ parents were invited to the events, which featured famous guests. Themes included, for example, social media, parenting, literacy and books. The cultural café was considered a successful model and the idea was awarded a Fiksua työtä commendation by the City of Hämeenlinna.

Noora Galab’s presentation ‘Growing Up Between Two Cultures’, aimed at those working with children and young people, was held in November and December at Nummikeskus. The speaker at the cultural café was social influencer, author and actor Jani Toivola.

In the 2024 participatory budgeting vote, the proposal for free live concerts for young people without age limits received the most votes. The proposal was based on young people’s wish to have more live music in Hämeenlinna, as substance-free concerts of interest to young people are available only in limited numbers. Young people participated in planning the concerts and selecting the artists.

Based on the winning proposal, the HÄX-live concert series was implemented, bringing eight topical artists to six different events at Suisto Club and at Verkatehdas Vanaja Hall and courtyard over the course of the year. The concerts were free, substance-free, and aimed at young people aged 13–18. The artists were selected on the basis of a survey aimed at young people.

The concerts were organised by HÄX, the urban culture platform for young people, and Open Cultural Centre ARX in cooperation with the youth services of the City of Hämeenlinna. The aim is for the live concert series for young people to continue in the future as well.

In January 2023, Skate ry’s proposal to develop the skate park in Hämeensaari won with 327 votes from among 18 proposals. New concrete structures were implemented in the park during the summer, and old structures were renovated through the association’s voluntary work.

In 2022, the Kantola disc golf course was implemented with 284 votes (the total number of votes was 1,124). The 18-hole course proposed in the proposal will be built in connection with Kantola Event Park, following the area’s shoreline strip. Implementation of the proposal was the responsibility of the Urban Environment Division in cooperation with Hämeenlinnan Discaajat ry.