What is a Youth Council?
Youth councils are groups of young influencers that operate in municipalities and welfare areas to advocate for the interests of local youth.
Background of Youth Councils
In addition to “youth council,” youth influence groups may also be called a youth parliament, youth representatives, youth board, or youth forum. The oldest youth councils have operated continuously since the late 1990s. Today, approximately 98% of Finnish municipalities and all welfare areas have a youth council or another equivalent youth influence group.
In 2015, youth councils were included in the new Municipal Act to guarantee young people the opportunity to participate and influence decision-making. Every municipality should therefore have a youth council. Since 2023, all welfare areas are also required to have a regional youth council.
Purpose and Activities of Youth Councils
According to Section 26 of the Municipal Act, municipalities must establish youth councils to ensure young people’s opportunities to participate and influence. Youth councils should be able to participate in the planning, preparation, implementation, and monitoring of all municipal activities.
Youth councils represent the youth of the municipality in local decision-making. Democratically elected councils bring young people’s voices to the table, comment on current issues, and submit initiatives and statements.
Youth councils also inform young people about municipal decision-making, help them find ways to influence, and promote dialogue between youth and decision-makers. In addition, they organize events, campaigns, and initiatives.
Official Influence Body
Municipal youth councils are officially established by the municipal board. Their position in the municipal organization varies, from administration to youth services, which can affect their operations and effectiveness. Municipalities are responsible for ensuring that youth councils have the conditions to operate, such as meeting arrangements and guidance.
Youth councillors influence decisions in municipal and welfare area committees, councils, and other bodies. Increasingly, youth councils also have the right to speak and attend municipal boards, as is the case in Vantaa and Punkalaidun.
Youth Councils in wellbeing services counties
Wellbeing services counties started operating at the beginning of 2023. Each of the 21 wellbeing services counties must have a youth council (referred to as ALNU) under Section 32 of the Wellbeing Services County Act to ensure youth participation and influence.
Youth councils in wellbeing services county:
- Comment on current issues
- Submit initiatives and statements
- Represent youth in working groups and other bodies
- Organize events and campaigns
Their role is to bring young people’s voices to welfare area decision-making and service development, represent local youth, and participate in developing participation and consultation processes. Youth councils can influence areas such as mental health services, student welfare, and school health services.
Nuva ry emphasizes that regional youth councils should also be able to influence cross-municipal and regional issues, such as climate, transportation, and education. Ideally, they collaborate with regional councils and other authorities.
Youth councils in wellbeing services counties operate similarly to municipal youth councils.
Nuva ry’s Role in Advancing Youth Councils
The first youth council was established in Kangasala in 1995. Three years later, Nuoret Vaikuttajat ry was founded, later renamed The Union of Local Youth Councils in Finland (Nuva ry).
Over the past 25 years, Nuva ry has promoted youth participation and influence in Finnish society. Key achievements include establishing youth councils in law through the Municipal Act (2015) and the Wellbeing Services County Act (2021).