Who?
Hey! I am Noora Hakulinen, a 25-year-old Journalism Master’s Student involved in student advocacy. I want to make Tampere a city that welcomes people to study, live, and build their future.
I grew up in Savonlinna, but Tampere became my home over five years ago, and I quickly put down roots here. As a freshman, I eagerly jumped into building the student community within my subject association, and before I knew it, I found myself leading the Tampere Student Union as its chair. A year in student advocacy strengthened my passion for making an impact. Along the way, I’ve learned that real change happens when enough people take action. Now, I’m ready to channel that drive into working for a better future for Tampere and Pirkanmaa.
The voice of young people is underrepresented in decision-making. That is why I want to bring the viewpoint of a young student into policymaking so we can build a sustainable future. The Tampere I want to build offers affordable living, reliable public transport, and smooth pathways to employment. The Pirkanmaa I stand for ensures humane drug policies, and accessible mental health services without endless queues.
I’ve learned that politics is, first and foremost, the art of listening and having the courage to make decisions. At its core, politics is about making value-based choices; and I stand for sustainability, justice, and education. To me, Tampere isn’t just a place on the map – it’s home. Together, we can make Tampere a city where each one of us feels at home and has a chance to live well.
Themes
Education – belongs to everybody!
Our society is built on education – it is an investment that fosters knowledge, innovation, and prosperity. All my life, I’ve always been told that education pays off, but at the same time, I’ve seen its funding slashed time and time again. Yet, Finland’s success depends on a highly skilled workforce.
Tampere should strengthen its reputation as the best city for students and the leader in education. This means investing in education at all levels. We must safeguard adequate funding for primary and secondary education, as high-quality education is a right for every child and young person.
University students are struggling – financial aid has been cut, student debt is rising, and purchasing power is at an all-time low. Tampere may not have the power to fix every issue students face, but it can set an example of how to ease their burden. This means ensuring a smooth daily life: affordable housing, internship opportunities, and making sure that students’ voices are heard in decision-making.
Learning and education belong to everyone and should never be compromised for financial savings.
Employment – fair chance to succeed!
Many young people move to Tampere for their studies, yet many leave after graduating because they struggle to find suitable jobs. It is crucial to invest in job creation, bring in new opportunities, and strengthen entrepreneurship alongside universities and schools.
We need to create better job prospects for young people. This means more internships, more flexible career paths, and reassessing language requirements to help international students find employment.
The public sector must review its salary levels and working conditions. The wellbeing services county must ensure that healthcare professionals receive competitive salaries and good working conditions so that Pirkanmaa can provide vital services to its residents. The city must prevent workforce shortages from affecting early and primary education teachers and support staff.
In my Tampere, the job market is fair, and everyone has a chance to succeed.
Well-being – prevention and care for all!
Well-being is a universal right. Everyone must receive the help they need promptly and smoothly.
We need comprehensive mental health and substance abuse services with a low threshold for seeking help. No one should be denied support due to bureaucracy or long waiting lists. The youth mental health crisis must be tackled decisively.
As Finland’s largest wellbeing services county, Pirkanmaa should set an example by providing accessible and equitable services. Healthcare must be accessible to everyone, including those who do not speak Finnish.
Investing in preventive healthcare is not only humane but also economically wise. The earlier help is available, the less people have to suffer. At the same time, preventive healthcare significantly reduces the costs of expensive specialized medical care and emergency services. Early investment in health and wellness eases the future healthcare burden.
In my Pirkanmaa, everyone is taken care of.
Sustainability – future-oriented decisions!
A truly sustainable city ensures the well-being of both its people and the environment. Tampere’s growth must be driven by sustainable choices – environmentally, economically, and socially – without compromising nature or quality of life.
Tampere is committed to becoming carbon-neutral by 2030, and achieving this goal requires determined decision-making. We must continue to develop public transport to ensure it becomes a truly accessible and affordable option for everyone in the city. We must continue investing in better walking and biking infrastructure. The preservation of natural areas is more important than ever as biodiversity loss accelerates. These ecosystems are not only environmentally valuable but also essential for residents’ well-being and leisure. Additionally, investing in children and youth is key to sustainability – without a thriving new generation, our future will suffer.
A sustainable Tampere is about more than the environment – it’s also about justice.
Follow me on Instagram!
Noora 