RUS with young people: "Why should everything be in the city center?"

What would make you feel even better where you live? What does your dream location look like, and how do you achieve it? Why is a certain issue important to you? These were some of the questions when our youth consultant Isa Ponturo met with the Youth Council in Boden. Norrbotten's young people are the future of the county. Of course, we want to know what they think about how the place where they live should develop until 2040.

The teenagers in the Youth Council were already excited when youth consultant Isa Ponturo arrived at the Hörnet farm in central Boden. They had been shown a future meeting place for the municipality's young people. It was clear that they are used to having their say on issues that affect social development in Boden.

 “We get to meet politicians, share opinions and thoughts,” said Mimmi, who is one of the veterans on the council. She has been on the council for four years and is also chairwoman of the youth council’s board’s events committee.
“It's fun to be involved in something,” said youth council colleague Josefin.

After a few minutes of presentation and small talk, it was time for the workshop. The Youth Council was given the opportunity to take part in the material that had been developed specifically to get young people's thoughts, perspectives and suggestions for the work on Norrbotten's new regional development strategy (RUS). The discussion was immediately started. First question: What is good about living in Boden?

 – That we have a new riding stable!
– There are a lot of sports to choose from, many sports clubs.
– It's kind of the perfect population, not too many people. There will be more, but so far I think it's a very good population.
 – You can feel safe, it's a fairly safe city.

Tor and Artöm wish it were easier for young people to create and run associations and clubs themselves.

“Bad bus service”

Afterwards, the Youth Council discussed what was bad about living in Boden, and what could make them feel better in their city.

 – It's a long way to bigger cities.
 – Buses are bad on Saturdays, and none at all on Sundays.
 – There are limited educational opportunities, which is why people move and don't make it back.
 – You could try to attract larger clothing chains here because Boden is going to grow.
 – The village roads are terrible in Boden, every single one. When they try to fill in the bumps, the bumps get worse, try driving EPA to Gunnarsbyn.

Almost everyone on the council has ended up there through the Youth Council, an important part of the democratic process among young people in Boden for almost twenty years. Throughout the year, work is underway to involve young people at schools in developing proposals, thoughts and ideas for Youth Council Day – a day of panel discussions, discussion, motion writing and meetings with local decision-makers.

One of the two groups that took on the worksheets focused on how to create a better connection between the city center and the villages.

When it was time to summarize the conclusions, many of the requests concerned measures to ensure that rural areas survive.

 – It is important to have a vibrant countryside, Boden should be an inclusive municipality.
– The dream scenario is a good connection between the countryside and the city center, it should be convenient to get from villages to the city.
 – Connect the countryside with the city. There are no buses, in Unbyn there are two buses a day. If you miss them, you're screwed.
 – It's the outdoor life that's the thing about Norrbotten. Everything new is coming to the city center, but people still come here to see nature. Why should everything be in the city center?

Easier to start clubs and associations

Other requests concerned the range of shops and leisure activities. The council requested measures that support young people's ability to organize themselves in clubs and associations, such as grants, premises and help with administration.

 – What if you want to have a role-playing club in Harads, and you can apply for money to start one?

The final workshop question was about how it would feel to compare their dream situation to reality.

 – It would be fun to see how well the municipality works, that there has been such development and cohesion. Of course, you would be happy about that! says one of the participants.

Norrbotten Region's youth consultant Isa Ponturo helps Tor, Artöm and Alice with the questions. 

Individual responses

The hour-long RUS workshop concludes with the young people giving their individual answers digitally. The idea is that no one should need to be interpreted by someone else, or that the group should have to agree.

 – Take the opportunity to say what you don't want to say in a group, Isa advised.

The Youth Council's input is handled in the same way as all the others we have collected during the year, on dialogue meetings in the municipalities, via workshop on your own and through what we call “open question” – a single question about what you think is important.

Are you young yourself or work with young people aged 12-20? Feel free to use our special method material with instructor and worksheet. In this way, you help us to get to know more young people's opinions, suggestions and perspectives. The last day to contribute is November 1. Questions? Please contact us at isa.camara-ponturo@norrbotten.se.

Read more about young people's influence and participation in Boden:
The Youth Council
Youth forum
Youth Council

Text & image: Sara Stylbäck Vesa