Ambitious climate policy and diverse local nature

Jyväskylä must consider environmental and nature values in all decision-making. Climate change threatens life on Earth, and it is our responsibility to change course to avoid the worst consequences.

In Jyväskylä, we need to promote sustainable mobility, urban planning, and food systems. Public catering plays a huge role in shaping eating habits and reducing the city’s emissions. It is essential that daily mobility in Jyväskylä is convenient by bike or on foot and that public transport is smooth and affordable. Safe, well-functioning cycling routes and better winter maintenance will make cycling more attractive and increase its use, which improves residents’ health and well-being, eases congestion, and reduces noise and pollution.

Tasty, nutritious vegetarian food must become the new norm in public catering. The amount of animal-based products, especially red meat, must be significantly reduced due to their large environmental footprint.

It is crucial that we protect local natural values and biodiversity in Jyväskylä. Urban planning must ensure that we do not destroy any more valuable natural areas or reduce biodiversity—instead, we should increase opportunities for diverse nature to flourish. Good measures include adding more meadows, stopping roadside grass mowing (which also saves money!), and humane control of invasive species.


Early Childhood Education and Schools

Jyväskylä must invest in early childhood education and schools. In recent years, there have been significant cuts to education, including reductions in staff, lesson hours, and high school support services. These cuts affect the quality of education and increase the workload of staff.

It is crucial that daycare and school staff are well-supported and able to do their jobs effectively. Every child must receive adequate support for learning and development. We need smaller class sizes, more special education teachers and assistants, and a well-supported workforce in our schools.

Pedagogical leaders and daycare assistants, which were previously cut from early childhood education, must be reinstated, and group sizes should be reduced. While large daycare centers can function well, daycare must also be available as a local service to fit into families’ daily lives. Therefore, smaller daycare centers must continue to exist in the future.

High school students deserve better! The level of high school support in Jyväskylä is currently very low and must be increased. This would ensure reasonable class sizes, sufficient support for students in need, preparatory courses for final exams, and adequate school facilities.

A Bike-Friendly City and Attractive Public Transport

More human-powered movement means more health and well-being, less congestion, noise, carbon emissions, and pollution.

It benefits everyone to improve cycling opportunities in Jyväskylä. Our city is relatively compact, making it important to encourage muscle-powered transportation, especially for short distances. The decline in active movement is already reflected in school health surveys. Convenient and safe bike lanes, along with better winter maintenance, will promote cycling year-round.

Public transport must be an attractive travel option. Lower ticket prices, smooth connections, and an extensive route network will encourage more people to use public transport. A trial for free public transport would be a crucial step toward a more sustainable city!

Hobbies for Everyone!

Everyone should have the opportunity to pursue a hobby!

Libraries, sports facilities, adult education centers, cultural activities, and organized hobby groups bring joy to life and nurture both body and mind—from infants to seniors!

Every young person must be guaranteed access to an enjoyable, structured hobby. Hobbies promote well-being, help develop various skills, and boost self-confidence. We should create models that integrate physical activity and non-academic hobbies into the school day.

Adults also need hobbies! The city should offer public spaces for both organized and informal activities at low or no cost, making it easier to find a place for shared hobbies. Schools, for example, have great spaces that could also be used for recreational activities, and their locations throughout the city make them convenient for everyday hobbies. Supporting organizations and cultural actors through funding creates opportunities for people of all ages to participate and experience new things.

Nearby forests and local sports facilities encourage daily exercise and well-being. It is also essential that hobby locations are accessible by public transport. For example, a weekend ski bus to the hugely popular Ladun maja could be tested, allowing those without cars to enjoy this wonderful outdoor spot!