The recognition reflects wide-ranging work across the city: training staff in children’s rights, improving public transport and cycle paths, expanding access to hobbies and leisure activities, and creating structures that ensure children and young people can take part in planning and decision-making.

Unicef Finland commended the city’s approach, noting: “Vaasa has integrated the Child-Friendly Municipality work into the city’s 2026–2030 strategy. This is a remarkable achievement that reflects strong political commitment and effective collaboration.”

Christina Knookala, Vaasa’s former director of education and culture, highlights how broadly the work has taken hold: “The development work spans the entire city and all sectors, from urban and transport planning to early childhood education and care, as well as basic education.”

She adds: “Through the Child-Friendly Municipality work, the views of children and young people are now being taken into account more effectively, starting from the planning stage. Vaasa will become an even better place to grow up and live in.”