Children have an impact on their municipality and living environment – recognition of participation for Kolsan School 

Decisions made by the municipality have a significant impact on how the rights and well-being of children living in the municipality are realised. Tuusula is home to more than 8,000 children and young people under the age of 18, and efforts are made in many different ways to promote their opportunities to participate and influence matters in the municipality and in their everyday lives. Ways of consulting children and young people and utilising the information obtained are also being developed in the Child-Friendly Municipality project.

In Kolsa, pupils found the school playground boring and had long wanted a more versatile playground for recess games. The issue was also discussed in the student council, and eventually the children took their wishes for a more stimulating playground to the local councillors.

The children’s advocacy work came to fruition when Keuda students painted the requested labyrinth, dragon and tar pot murals in the courtyard in the spring. To the children’s delight, a new swing, a portable basketball hoop and a gagaball arena were also added to the courtyard. 

Municipality’s recognition of participation for Kolsan School 

This week, Kolsan School was awarded the 2025 Participation Award in recognition of its efforts to promote child participation in a schoolyard painting project. Genuine consultation

with children and multi-stakeholder cooperation between the parents’ association, the school and local communities is a good example of activities in line with the Tuusula participation model. Cooperation and working together have created a pleasant and communal living environment in line with the municipal strategy, according to the award citation.  

Previous participation awards:
Tuusula Green Services 2021
Tuusula Libraries 2022
Ahti Leivonen 2023
Tuusula Food Services 2024 

This content has been translated using AI