“The London skids say there’s nothing to do,” sang the legendary Ratsia, guessing that young people in the metropolis have no idea what life was like for their peers in a small Finnish town in the 70s. Regardless of time and place, the lack of things to do is probably an age-old problem among young people. But what is good about their home municipality and could the enjoyment be improved, for example, with project funding? Liiveri set out to find out this with a survey, which was answered by 184 young people from Ilmajoki, Jalasjärvi and Seinäjoki.
Potential residence for a third
Perhaps a little surprisingly, in addition to family and friends, the respondents who responded the most appreciated the peace and small size of their hometown. There were also at least enough services for young people's tastes. Young people were driven to move away for natural reasons, such as a place to study and better employment opportunities. However, up to a third of 13-18 year olds estimated that in ten years they could find a place to live in their own hometown.
According to researcher Timo Aro, people seek out areas that resemble the environment they grew up in as children. A key prerequisite for young adults to return is a location close to growth centers and a vibrant service structure.
– From this perspective, our region has a lot of potential. Returning to one's roots is also encouraged if memories of one's home region are good, reflects the person who summarized the survey results. Paula Vannesluoma From the liver.
Public transport as a stumbling block
How could the positive experience of home be increased in Ilmajoki, Kurikka and Seinäjoki? The young people found the most disappointing things in public transport. As expected, they also wanted more things to do. There was a lot of variation in interests and desired hobby opportunities. Of the various events, young people would most likely participate in LANs. In LANs, a group of computer owners gather to tinker with each other on a local area network.
– Young people would be willing to participate in organizing such events in addition to volunteering in traditional sports, Vanneluoma suggests.
Vannesluoma also encourages event organizers, associations and municipalities to utilize information about the popularity of various social media channels.
– Currently, the number one application for young people in our region is Snapchat, which was used by more than half of the respondents. On the other hand, Facebook and Instagram do not work when it comes to reaching young people, he reminds us.
Internationalization opportunities Liiver's trump card
Based on the survey, it seems that Leader activities are particularly good at responding to young people's desire to see the world. International exchanges interested 20 percent of respondents, which of course pleases Vannesluoma, who works as Liiver's international coordinator.
– As soon as the interest rate situation in Europe eases, the SAYouth project will begin in earnest, offering young people the opportunity to exchange experiences about the opportunities for young people to influence each other in different parts of Europe. The project will organise study trips to eight different partner countries and an introductory event in our region. The project is part of the Europe for Citizens programme, Vannesluoma explains.
Youth Leader funding, which improves opportunities for influence, was also used. If young people were given a thousand euros, they would invest in improving the comfort of schools and gathering places, organizing events, and buying hobby equipment.
– It's nice to see that the call has been answered. Liiver's Youth Leader funding has been utilized for exactly these needs in 70 places around the region, Vannesluoma says.
The Liiver youth survey was carried out in cooperation with Southern Ostrobothnia Leader groups. Read Uhoo news story, if you want to know what kind of responses were received throughout the South Ostrobothnia region.
Caption: Leader youth gathered for their first national meeting at Ellivuori in Sastamala in early 2020.