Article categories: News
Vote to decide which participatory budgeting ideas will be implemented with €50,000!
Published: 11.3.2026
This year, the City of Vaasa has earmarked €50,000 for the implementation of the residents’ ideas through participatory budgeting. Vaasa residents were invited to submit their ideas through January and February, and you contributed a total of 138 ideas. Online voting for the winner is open until 29 March and the winner will be announced on 10 April.
You can vote for the winning idea from among the following proposals:
- More urban greenery and community food gardens
- Summer jobs for young people in planting and invasive species control
- Equipment lending stations and drinking water spots in parks
- A small observation tower at a Vaasa nature site
- A park concert for residents by the City Orchestra
- An outdoor basketball court made from recycled materials
- Afforestation of vacant land in honor of the Green Leaf year
- Palosaari energy park
Vote for your favourite idea by 29 March
You can vote for your favourite idea online until 29 March. Vote here!
You can also vote at Citizen Services (Tammipiha, Teräksenkuja 1) and at the Vähäkyrö Joint Service Point (Vähänkyröntie 11) during opening hours.
Striving for community spirit and a good environment for everyone
In honour of the Green Leaf year, all ideas open for voting promote sustainability and support the wellbeing of both the environment and the people of Vaasa.
Vaasa is the European Green Leaf City 2026. The award, granted by the European Commission, is given to cities that promote sustainable development and work actively to improve the environment and tackle climate change.
– To celebrate the Green Leaf anniversary year, we asked residents of Vaasa to share ideas that support green values such as biodiversity, energy efficiency, and the circular economy. The goal is also to encourage community spirit and inspire Vaasa residents of all ages to develop their city into a more pleasant and greener place, says Strategy Manager Suvi Aho.
The winning idea will be announced on 10 April
The aim of participatory budgeting is to allow residents to take part in developing their own environment and to highlight ways in which public funds can be used.
Residents’ wishes have already led to a cherry tree park on the Onkilahti shoreline, a flower meadow in Vaskiluoto, toys for daycare centres, larger trash bins and more benches along the beach round, and a winter swimming area at the Inner Harbor. In 2025, the winning idea was borrowable rowboats.
This year’s winning idea will be announced on 10 April. You can follow the progress of the idea on the city’s website and social media channels.