Participatory budgeting
Participatory budgeting is a way of engaging residents in discussions, planning, and decision-making regarding the use of public funds.
In Vaasa, residents are able to propose and decide how a specific amount of money is spent.
Based on suggestions from residents, the city has already created a cherry blossom park by Onkilahti Bay and a flower meadow in Vaskiluoto, provided toys for daycare centres, and established a winter swimming spot in the Inner Harbour. In 2024, the winning idea was to install larger waste bins and more benches along the Waterfront Route.
In 2025, we have allocated €15,000 for participatory budgeting.
See below for the 2025 schedule and participate!
Schedule for 2025
Collecting ideas from 5 Feb. to 9 March 2025
Voting for the winner from 17 April to 5 May 2025
Announcing the winner 19 May 2025
How can I participate? Share your ideas! Vote!
Collecting of the ideas has ended 9 March.
You can vote for your favourite from the following ideas:
- Rowboats available to borrow at Ukkokari, Onkilahti and Vähäkyrö.
- A fountain in the basin outside the Court of Appeal
- A natural ice skating track close to the city centre
- An outdoor activity area in the forest by Alkula farm
- A cold-water plunge pool at the swimming hall
- Bookable kiosks along the Waterfront Promenade and near the ruins of Old Vaasa
- Street art / mural on a building or in underpasses
- More outdoor gym equipment at or near sports facilities
- Community sing-along event in Hietasaari
- 3 vs. 3 basketball court in the city centre
Vote for your favorite here. Vote by 5 May!
You can also vote at Citizen Services located in Tammipiha (Teräksenkuja 1) and at the Vähäkyrö joint service point (Vähänkyröntie 11) during the opening hours.
How will the ideas be evaluated?
The submitted ideas will be reviewed by a working group, which includes representatives from each of the city’s sectors. Ideas will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- When put into practice, the idea brings joy to as many people as possible.
- The idea can be implemented within the allocated budget.
- The idea is in line with the values of the City of Vaasa.
- Residents of Vaasa can participate in the implementation of the idea.
- The idea can be implemented in a way that allows for its potential future upkeep.
No idea is wasted; all of them are shared with the city’s departments for their information and added to the city’s ‘idea bank’, for future use in the development of services.
Initiatives from previous years
2024: Waste bins and benches along the Waterfront Route, budget €15,000
2023: Winter swimming spot in the Inner Harbour, budget €15,000
2022: Toys for daycare centres, budget €5,000
2021: Happiness meadow in Vaskiluoto, budget €5,000
2020: Cherry blossom park in Onkilahti, budget €5,000