MerikarviaThe municipality of Nõmme has implemented a unique experiment in which local residents participated in budget planning. Sitra is funding the development of this new operating model, which expands local democracy. The municipal panelists at RatkaisuTori brought today Merikarvian to the municipal council for consideration in the municipal budget for 2024. Already on the bus trip MerikarviaTowards Turku, a discussion began with councillors and officials. The exchange of ideas became even more lively during the actual seminar at Turku Forum Marinum.

We want to invest in employment and well-being through new means

The development of educational services, especially by strengthening the position of upper secondary schools, was considered a fundamental value that should be built on.

“We have excellent resources – expertise in, for example, natural sciences and international themes, as well as in guiding children towards entrepreneurship at the primary level,” the panelists stated.

However, new ways were needed to bring workplaces and workers together, and cooperation was found to be key. Practical means were identified as preparing for the TE service reform, which is being carried out, for example, through the OPH's "Path to Working Life" project. The project brings together workers. Another significant advantage was found to be the resources for strengthening the work of training supervisors throughout the municipality. Innovative study models were also welcomed at all levels of education, and coordination was also hoped for in the future for other project work that develops the municipality.

Workshop activities were seen as a joint activity of the entire municipality, where the service network includes, for example, educational institutions, associations and especially companies. Fresh operating models could include, for example, corporate sponsorship activities, flexible completion of compulsory education by utilizing workshop activities, or producing services as workshop activities. The mayor stated that from 2025, municipalities will directly pay the livelihood of the unemployed, labor market support. This will create a new kind of incentive for maintaining the employment situation, the municipality will finance labor market support all the way to employment in the open labor market, the mayor stated.

A positive problem was that more people are asking for apartments and industrial premises than are currently available in the municipality. New solutions will be sought for this.

Marketing as a success factor

Tourism and social media marketing were found to be MerikarviaThe backbone of the municipality, which must be strengthened with new means. Content comes first, it was stated. Communication via websites must also be strengthened, and it was also remembered that the municipality's own most important marketing person is the municipality's own.

“We are proud Merikarvia"and we will bring it up everywhere," the RatkaisuTori panelists unanimously stated.

There was also agreement that the RatkaisuTori discussions were considered an interesting peek into financial data and news was also awaited about the implementation by the municipality of Pieksämäki. Hahmota Oy's new way of presenting financial data was seen as an interesting opening. The councillors praised the RatkaisuTori concept and even those who had a negative attitude in advance considered the experiment worthwhile - it is good to continue with this.