Turku has begun a new chapter in its leadership. With a new City Council and Mayor recently appointed, the city is prepared to implement an ambitious Mayor's Programme aimed at fostering growth, enhancing well-being, and significantly improving support for international residents
The recently approved Mayor's Programme, "Turku into the New Century," clearly outlines Turku's dedication to becoming an even more welcoming and inclusive city for everyone.
Key commitments for international residents include:
- Expanded English Services: Turku will broaden its English-language services to better attract and retain international talent. This includes strengthening the International House Turku service model, which assists newcomers with settling-in, language training, and employment support for both individuals and their families.
- Streamlined Integration: The city aims to create Finland's leading models for promoting integration. Integration and language learning services will be readily accessible, high-quality, and effective, taking into account diverse backgrounds. Learning Finnish is recognized as a crucial step for prompt employment and becoming part of Finnish society.
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Empowering Families: The Programme highlights the vital role of women, especially mothers, in successful integration. By supporting mothers with language skills and information, the city intends to help entire families integrate more smoothly.
Practical measures within the Programme include: increasing participation of immigrant-background children in early education, improving language training to reduce waiting lists, better recognizing immigrants' skills to boost employment, and enhancing cooperation with immigrant and religious organizations. Turku also plans to recruit more multilingual staff within its city administration.
Mayor Piia Elo has stated that the new leadership will focus on core city functions such as schools, daycares, housing, sports, and culture, while also working to ensure positive development across all areas of Turku.
Get Involved: Advisory Councils Seeking New Members
Turku actively encourages all residents to participate in shaping the city's future. Important advisory groups like the Multicultural, Older people's, and Disability Councils play a key role in ensuring that the voices of various communities are heard in city decision-making.
These councils are currently being renewed, and organizations have the opportunity to nominate their candidates for the 2025–2027 term. "Our goal is to make these processes clearer and more unified," commented Integration Director Minna Sartes.
Becoming a council member offers a direct way to influence city policies and support your community's specific needs.
The deadline for nominations is June 30, 2025!
Learn more about these councils and how to nominate candidates Here