Municipal Election 2025

Suomeksi | På svenska | In English

A FUTURE WITH CARE AND SECURITY

THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION is about making decisions that directly affect our daily lives – day care centres, schools, the environment, safety, recreational opportunities and mobility.

For Social Democrats, Vantaa is a city where everyone should feel safe. We promote equality. We do not tolerate any forms of discrimination or racism. We will ensure that residents can use services in both Finnish and Swedish.

We want to build an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable future. We promote transparency, democracy and knowledge-based decision-making.

We Social Democrats believe in cooperation. We want the city and the wellbeing services county to work closely together to support residents’ health, wellbeing, safety and smooth daily life.

A SAFE PATH TO GROWTH AND LEARNING

All children and young people are valuable. We must invest in early childhood education, schools and recreational opportunities and develop the city as a child-friendly living environment. The level of education among Vantaa residents must be raised. Families must be supported in all situations and at an early stage.

It is important that our day care centres have skilled staff who enjoy their work. Stimulating facilities are needed to support children’s development and learning. We will ensure that day care centres have large enough yards for play, with plenty of trees and shaded areas.

We adhere to the local school principle and want to ensure that teaching group sizes are appropriate for learning. The city must offer morning and afternoon activities tailored to children’s needs in connection with school.

We want school meals to be nutritious, environmentally friendly and visually appealing. There must be sufficient availability of small groups for those needing special support, special education and other solutions to meet pupils’ needs. Everyone must have the opportunity to learn Finnish or Swedish and acquire good basic skills in reading and mathematics.

Upper secondary qualifications provide a solid foundation for further studies and work. Young people need sufficient teaching and guidance from teachers.

The best way to prevent bullying is to take care of the wellbeing of children and young people. It is important to recognise individual strengths and needs. Timely access to services, including child health clinics, doctors, school social workers and psychologists, must be ensured for children and young people.

The availability of free low-threshold services for young people must be increased. Close cooperation between the city and the wellbeing services county is key to promoting the wellbeing of children and young people.

The city must develop activities that support children and families during school holidays. The summertime meal service in playgrounds must be continued and further expanded. We want to develop the hobby guarantee to ensure that all children and young people get to take part in an enjoyable hobby.

COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND WELLBEING

Community spirit, inclusion and wellbeing are at the heart of everything in Vantaa. We want all our residents to feel welcome and valued in our multicultural and international city. Cooperation, openness and mutual respect are key to our city’s success. We do not tolerate any forms of discrimination or racism.

In youth activities and street outreach work, we must find the most effective ways to help young people in cooperation with the Wellbeing Services County of Vantaa and Kerava.

We want Vantaa to have easily accessible local sports facilities for residents of all ages, including seniors. Vantaa must offer services that are accessible to all residents, such as swimming pools and cultural services.

Culture belongs to everyone. We will organise and support events that give people joy and bring them together. This includes cultural festivals, sports events and community celebrations.

HOMES FOR ALL AND SMOOTH TRANSPORT

Vantaa is a city that attracts people with diverse housing options and excellent transport connections. We want Vantaa to be able to offer everyone a home that meets their needs.

We need thriving urban centres, vibrant suburbs and safe residential areas that better serve residents’ needs and promote a sense of community. High quality must always be ensured in housing construction.

Vantaa must continue to regulate the size of apartments in order to ensure that new apartment buildings include larger family homes and to prevent the selection of apartment types from becoming very narrow. The city exists for its residents, and housing construction should not be purely based on investor interests.

In addition to urban greenery and comfort, housing policy objectives should include a requirement to consider the impacts of land use planning on the social environment. We need more yards and spaces that promote interaction between residents. To prevent fragmented land use planning, the construction of areas must be examined from a wider perspective.

Vantaa’s old neighbourhoods need redevel opment, and Vantaa must create a city-level programme to start the renovation of these neighbourhoods. At the same time, the renewal and relocation of the old rent al housing stock must be considered. This will reduce the risk of segregation and en sure balanced development of different are as. More ARA (state-subsidised) apartments must be built.

Public transport services must be well-functioning and accessible. We will promote sustainable transport that reduces the city’s carbon footprint and supports environmentally friendly growth. To achieve this goal, the HSL zone ticket system must be replaced by a flat fare system, at least in the Vantaa, Helsinki, Espoo and Kauniainen area.

A PLEASANT, GREEN AND ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE CITY

Vantaa has to be a green and lush city that is developed with respect for nature. We want parks and other green areas to serve as meeting places where people of all ages can take part in recreational activities, feel a sense of community and enjoy life. More outdoor gyms and workout stairs are needed in Vantaa.

A liveable environment is a necessity, facing challenges posed by climate change. Vantaa must continue to develop as a climate-friendly city. We need more resource-wise energy and construction solutions. We will promote the circular economy and reduce waste by providing residents with clear and easy-to-use recycling options.

Many streets and urban environments are in poor condition. The amount of money allocated for repairs is insufficient. A concrete plan must be created for repairing streets in older areas.

PROMOTING VITALITY, COMBATING UNEMPLOYMENT

Everyone’s work is valuable. Finding employment must be easy, and support must be available. Therefore, we will develop employment services to ensure that individual needs are taken into consideration and that everyone has equal access to the labour market.

We will ensure close cooperation with the city’s economic development services and immigration services and pay particular at tention to improving Finnish language skills and increasing language training. We must make full use of Vantaa’s strengths as an international city.

Vantaa must prepare a comprehensive employment programme and a development plan concerning services for special groups to find new ways to reduce unemployment. No young person should be left without a job or a study place. Cooperation with the wellbeing services county is essential in this process.

Education must meet the needs of the labour market, and everyone should have opportunities for lifelong learning. It is important that skilled and trained labour is available to businesses and that the city provides high-quality guidance and advisory services for entrepreneurs.

STABLE ECONOMY AND STAFF WELLBEING

We want to ensure that Vantaa’s economy is managed responsibly and proactively. In good years, the city has reduced its debt and prepared for future investments. The care ful management of finances over the past years now helps us in the current uncertain economic situation.

To increase internal financing, the city must invest in vitality and growth. We will take care of basic services and, if necessary, adjust the economy carefully and systematically.

Vantaa must lead the way in responsible procurement and tendering. We do not tolerate any form of corruption.

Employees are our most important resource. It is important to ensure that Vantaa is a good and reliable employer that takes care of its employees’ wellbeing and fair terms of employment. When developing work and services, employees must always be heard and involved.

Vote

Advance voting 2–8 April 2025

Election Day 13 April 2025