Youth center renovation
Renovation of the youth center in Kaskinen, Finland
Making a decent place for a decent youth!
Finland
Aleksanterinkatu 26, 64260 Kaskinen
Early initiative
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
231: Kaskö (FI)
Our action aims to address the lack of optimism for the future in Kaskinen, including the declining population and the migration of the city’s youth. We emphasize the importance of engaging people of all ages from various social groups by revitalizing cultural life. The city’s youth centre is in a dilapidated state and in urgent need of renovation, both inside and outside. The centre is actively used each week by residents of all ages. Baking- and cooking classes are arranged two times a week for children and youth evenings are held three times a week, and every Thursday evening is an open house for all residents through a program called “Kaskinen’s Living Room,” attracting up to 45 participants of all ages. During school holidays, activities for children and youth are arranged at the centre, with close to 50 children and youngsters participating. Renovating the youth centre would be an ideal first step in revitalising the community and increasing the citizens´resilience. This building is familiar to all residents, who recognize the importance of its functions. Young people have to be involved from the start to participate in the planning phase through the youth council, under the guidance of the youth and sports coordinator. There is also a significant number of retirees and immigrants in the city with backgrounds in construction, so we have the knowledge base. The challenge lies in finding and motivating these individuals to engage in the project. It is important that the youth feel that it is their building and that they have a project of their own.
Co-creation
Participation
Inclusivity
Preserving local heritage
Promoting sustainable development
Renovating the youth center involves a commitment to sustainability on many levels. On a concrete level, the renovation will mean preserving a historic building, which serves as a kind of symbol for the city. The renovation will use new innovative and sustainable solutions and craftsmanship methods with respect for the carpentry traditions.
Since the youth center serves as the primary meeting place for children and young people in the city, the renovation will also involve a major investment in the city's future. Creating a pleasant environment for young people is a long-term investment and a vital part of the city's long-term survival. We want to create a safe space and good memories for today's young people that they can pass on to future generations.
Since the youth center serves as the primary meeting place for children and young people in the city, the renovation will also involve a major investment in the city's future. Creating a pleasant environment for young people is a long-term investment and a vital part of the city's long-term survival. We want to create a safe space and good memories for today's young people that they can pass on to future generations.
Since the city center of Kaskinen consists mostly of old wooden houses, the renovated youth center would give a boost to the overall impression of the city. The building is located in the heart of the city and is therefore visible to all residents and visitors. Consequently, a facelift would lead to something that everyone would enjoy. The building from 1906 is an aesthetic gem and it is a shame for the city that the building has fallen into its current state. A renovation would hence give a real boost to the aesthetic side of the entire city and help create a positive atmosphere among the residents. On other levels, the renovation would also show that there is hope for a brighter future. A renovation of the city's property would additionally serve as a good example for others and lower the threshold for renovating other buildings in need of refreshment.
place in town where you make friends regardless of ethnicity, background, social class, and so on. Here everyone is equal. The city pays for the youth activities and offers them as a service to the residents. Thanks to committed staff, the city has a very active and vibrant youth program. Despite the strained economy, the city has chosen to invest in our youth. After all, they are the future!
For the renovation itself, we also want everyone interested to participate. We strive for new friendships to be made during the renovation process, which will take place as part of not only the youth activities, but for the entire public. Given that many older residents have previously participated in the youth center's activities, we also want to get them involved in the renovation process. We strive to create intergenerational cooperation as we renovate the building. At the same time, we will also focus on reaching out to our new residents. We see the renovation as a new chapter in the history of the city, and we want every inhabitant to be part of it.
For the renovation itself, we also want everyone interested to participate. We strive for new friendships to be made during the renovation process, which will take place as part of not only the youth activities, but for the entire public. Given that many older residents have previously participated in the youth center's activities, we also want to get them involved in the renovation process. We strive to create intergenerational cooperation as we renovate the building. At the same time, we will also focus on reaching out to our new residents. We see the renovation as a new chapter in the history of the city, and we want every inhabitant to be part of it.
The residents will benefit from the initiative on many levels. Firstly, the renovation will contribute to a more beautiful urban environment, which will increase the well-being of our residents.
Secondly, the residents will be involved in the renovation as we would also like to have volunteers to work and help during the process. Not only in the construction itself but also in the activities that otherwise take place in the building. As previously mentioned, we see the renovation as a new chapter in the city's history and we want as many people as possible to participate in writing it. Kaskinen has gone through a lot of misfortune since the factory closed down in 2009. If there is anything positive to be seen from the difficulties, it is that civil society has been strengthened in the city, and we are convinced that this initiative will strengthen it even further. In 50 years, people will be talking about when they renovated the youth center.
Secondly, the residents will be involved in the renovation as we would also like to have volunteers to work and help during the process. Not only in the construction itself but also in the activities that otherwise take place in the building. As previously mentioned, we see the renovation as a new chapter in the city's history and we want as many people as possible to participate in writing it. Kaskinen has gone through a lot of misfortune since the factory closed down in 2009. If there is anything positive to be seen from the difficulties, it is that civil society has been strengthened in the city, and we are convinced that this initiative will strengthen it even further. In 50 years, people will be talking about when they renovated the youth center.
In order to involve people on a broader level, we will organize a wooden house and renovation fair in the city on August 16, 2025. We will advertise the fair nationally and internationally and thus hope for a wide audience. During the fair, we will also show the youth center to visitors and ask them to come in with their own suggestions and ideas. We have grand expectations that this will lead to a great deal of engagement among the visitors.
Thanks to the city's unique wooden house environment, the event will attract a large number of wooden house enthusiasts and experts. Since most of the exhibition objects are already renovated, the youth center, which is in the planning stage, will likely attract eager and creative enthusiasts and experts.
In addition, the youth council will also be involved in the implementation process. Accordingly, we will have a very broad field of people involved in the planning, including young people, older people, locals, tourists, amateurs, experts and so on.
Thanks to the city's unique wooden house environment, the event will attract a large number of wooden house enthusiasts and experts. Since most of the exhibition objects are already renovated, the youth center, which is in the planning stage, will likely attract eager and creative enthusiasts and experts.
In addition, the youth council will also be involved in the implementation process. Accordingly, we will have a very broad field of people involved in the planning, including young people, older people, locals, tourists, amateurs, experts and so on.
The project will have a particularly transdisciplinary approach. Youth councillors will be involved here, who will familiarise themselves with the processes of a democratic society, older people will bring their expertise on local traditions. Innovative solutions in sustainability and building technology will be created. Knowledge from a variety of different areas will be linked in the project. Those involved will interact with each other through various meetings and the results will be created through cooperation and compromises between the groups. In addition, the end-users of the building will consist of a multifaceted group of people. The whole of society is represented here, which will lead to increased openness and understanding of each other's needs and abilities.
The innovativeness of this project is found on many levels. Firstly, the inclusive creative process is unique. We want to give everyone the opportunity to participate and influence. Secondly, on a more concrete level, we want to use new thinking in the practical solutions implemented in the project. A youth center is a unique building that should serve many needs, which is why it is important to listen to the users, as well as experts in the renovation field. Thirdly, the project is also unique in the way that this magnificent building is actually being renovated. Too often, such buildings fall into disrepair and are then replaced by new ones. Kaskinen, for its part, has chosen to take a different path and preserve this beautiful house that carries so many valuable memories.
Co-creation is the method that best describes how we will realize the project. As a city, we really want the residents and users themselves to have a say. In the process, we see ourselves as mediators of their wishes to the experts and try to find compromises. Thanks to Kaskinen being a small city, we believe that the inclusive methodology works better than in a big city. We see and hear our residents and fellow humans in a way that is not possible in big cities. The threshold for being involved and contribute is also significantly lower, which is why we are convinced that the co-creating approach will work well.
Different parts of our initiative can be reused in many ways for the future. The planning itself and its inclusive process are something that we in the city intend to apply elsewhere as well. We strive to bring decisions closer to the residents and increase their awareness and participation. We see this project as a step in that direction. We feel that it is especially important for new residents to immediately get the feeling that there is an inclusive atmosphere in our city.
The technical solutions that will be used for our project are something that we will gladly share with others. Since there are a lot of old wooden houses in poor condition in Finland, we would like to be involved and contribute the expertise and experience that we will gather during this project. Many youth associations around the country have old buildings that are facing even greater challenges. Thus, we will document the entire process and after the project is completed, we will be happy to share our gained knowledge with other youth associations, municipalities, villages and others interested.
The technical solutions that will be used for our project are something that we will gladly share with others. Since there are a lot of old wooden houses in poor condition in Finland, we would like to be involved and contribute the expertise and experience that we will gather during this project. Many youth associations around the country have old buildings that are facing even greater challenges. Thus, we will document the entire process and after the project is completed, we will be happy to share our gained knowledge with other youth associations, municipalities, villages and others interested.
There are two completely different, major global challenges to tackle in our project. The first is the isolation of young people and the lack of social interaction. This is something that our project directly tries to remedy. By offering a fresh and purposeful youth center, we can attract young people to socialize with each other. We build hope for a better tomorrow and show that in an open democratic society, you can participate and influence as an individual.
The second challenge is climate change. The effect has shown to be significant in Finland and it places new major demands on buildings. Therefore, it is important that we use sustainable and climate-smart solutions in the renovation process so that the house can live on for at least another 100 years. We believe that the solutions can be found in local carpentry expertise and innovative experts in the field.
The second challenge is climate change. The effect has shown to be significant in Finland and it places new major demands on buildings. Therefore, it is important that we use sustainable and climate-smart solutions in the renovation process so that the house can live on for at least another 100 years. We believe that the solutions can be found in local carpentry expertise and innovative experts in the field.
The city's budget has been approved by the city council and funds have been allocated for the renovation of the youth center. The project has been discussed with the people who run the city's youth activities and they have given their full support. In other words, the initiative has support on all levels. The next step for the project is to start involving the city's residents in the process. Young people and new residents in particular will be consulted, but also other groups. Marketing for the city's upcoming wooden house and renovation fair is underway, so we expect a large turnout. Those days will be crucial for the project, as we expect to get a large amount of knowledge and expertise in sustainable solutions from visitors during the fair. When the renovation itself gets underway, we also want the residents to be involved throughout the whole process. We believe that it will engage older generations in particular, and we hope for good advice and expertise in traditional local aesthetics.
Finally, we would like to emphasize that our project goes hand in hand with the values of NEB. Residents from every part of society will be involved throughout the project. Young or old, immigrant or born and raised here – everyone is welcome to join with their suggestions and expertise. The methods that will be used will cover a very wide spectrum. By restoring the youth center to its former glory, we are building a new sustainable future for the city. We will create a decent place for a decent youth.
Finally, we would like to emphasize that our project goes hand in hand with the values of NEB. Residents from every part of society will be involved throughout the project. Young or old, immigrant or born and raised here – everyone is welcome to join with their suggestions and expertise. The methods that will be used will cover a very wide spectrum. By restoring the youth center to its former glory, we are building a new sustainable future for the city. We will create a decent place for a decent youth.
