Kotka received the Child-Friendly Municipality recognition from UNICEF Finland

17.3.2025 | Kotka has been awarded its first Child-Friendly Municipality recognition by UNICEF Finland. The city began its Child-Friendly Municipality work in 2020.

When granting this recognition, UNICEF Finland has evaluated only the goals, measures, and results included in Kotka’s Child-Friendly Municipality action plan. It has not assessed all municipal activities related to children and children’s rights.

The recognition does not mean that Kotka’s work for children’s rights is complete; rather, the city is committed to continuing its efforts to develop child-friendliness and promote children’s rights. The recognition granted to Kotka is valid for two years. Kotka is the 35th municipality in Finland to receive UNICEF’s Child-Friendly Municipality recognition.

UNICEF Finland especially commends Kotka for enhancing the staff’s expertise in children’s rights through extensive training. Training and orientation on children’s rights will continue across all municipal sectors.

Additionally, Kotka has actively developed structures for children’s participation. Various city programs now include specific measures to promote the participation of children and young people.

A structured Participation Day for primary school children has also been established, with a clear plan and an annual schedule. This new structure ensures that children’s perspectives are heard more directly and without filtering.

Furthermore, children’s voices have been better incorporated into projects within the city’s technical sector, including co-developing nature trails with children. This collaboration is set to become a permanent part of the city’s operations.

Dialogue between children and adults has also enabled discussions on topics important to children. This dialogical approach is becoming an established practice in Kotka’s municipal operations.

Many ideas from children and young people have been implemented through participatory budgeting, which has been co-developed with them.

Kotka has systematically introduced an anti-bullying prevention and intervention model across all schools. As a result, the various forms of bullying have become more visible, and understanding of the phenomenon has improved.

UNICEF Finland encourages Kotka to continue developing its child rights-based approach and to support a shift in mindset regarding children’s rights. It also recommends systematically conducting child impact assessments and ensuring that staff have the necessary expertise for this work. Special attention should also be given to the ongoing training of decision-makers.

“The work done in Kotka has embedded children’s rights into both everyday life and municipal structures. Awareness has increased, and children’s rights have become a natural part of daily conversations and actions. We are pleased to continue working with Kotka,” says Johanna Laaja, Child-Friendly Municipality expert at UNICEF Finland.

“We are delighted to receive this recognition! We have done great work at the grassroots level together. From the very beginning, our Child-Friendly Municipality work has focused on everyday structures and ensuring that children’s rights are implemented in municipal operations. The core of this work has been participation, as well as daily practices that promote inclusion and equality. We have increased awareness of children’s rights and identified existing good practices that support their realization in the city,” says Tuula Tissari, Child-Friendly Municipality Coordinator and Head of Youth Services in Kotka.