Eero-Pekka Hautamäki, 21, has worked actively as a developer in his home region. Hautamäki became interested in social influence at an early age.
- When I was under school age, I watched the Itsevaltiaat series and asked at home what the parliament and the president meant, Hautamäki laughs.
In junior high school, Hautamäki got involved in the activities of the student union board. Since then, the desire to develop and act for the benefit of the community has only grown. Hautamäki has worked in Ilmajoki's youth council since 2017 and as Nuva's chairman since 2019.
- In the youth council, I have been able to take important matters forward for myself and my reference group.
The youth council has organized events and made the voice of young people heard in decision-making. Hautamäki reminds that it is not self-evident that the youth council is listened to.
- It is really important that the youth council and the municipality and other communities in the region strive for close cooperation. It requires mutual communication from the actors in question, i.e. mutual work for working relationships – a real desire to understand the important perspectives of young people.
In 2021, Hautamäki was the person in charge of the group applying for and implementing two Youth Leader projects. The Ilmajoki youth council's Youth Leader project procured a pool table for Ilmajoki high school, which increases community spirit during recess. With Nuoriso-Leader funding, Ilmajoki High School's student union acquired a tennis wall and equipment to support young people's tennis activities.
Hautamäki participated in Liiver's Ideas for Euros campaign as the chairman of Ilmajoki's youth council. The Youth Council filmed a video for the campaign, which presented the idea of an outdoor gym near Seppälä's youth facility and key sports venues. The idea was the most liked of the campaign.
- At the moment, the project is being carried forward with the working group, and in the future we hope to have the much-desired outdoor gym available to young people and active people. In cooperation, this project will also be taken forward, Hautamäki sums up.
Hautamäki is the recipient of Liiver's 2022 Ideas for Implementation diploma. He has shown initiative and cooperation, as well as a positive development attitude. He communicates actively on social media, introduces local decision-making to young people and boldly takes matters into his own hands. Currently, Hautamäki is studying administrative sciences in Tampere in the 2nd year course and works in the Ilmajoki municipal council and as a member of the church council of the Ilmajoki parish.
Liiveri annually awards a diploma for exemplary development work. The diploma highlights the development work supported by Liiver and good practical examples.