Unicef approved the Janakkala Child-Friendly Municipality action plan in the summer of 2021. Unicef has granted Janakkala the Child-Friendly Municipality status and on January 1, 2025, we began the implementation of the second action period plan.

The goal is for Janakkala to be a safe, meaningful, and enabling place for EVERY child – wherever they go and engage. This goal is pursued by all residents according to their age and in all their roles.

The achievement of goals is also guided by the early childhood education plan, the curricula for basic education and upper secondary education, as well as the well-being plan for children and youth. The actions of all different parties together lead towards the goals.

Goal 1. The municipality allocates resources and special support for vulnerable children

Actions

• Developing and evaluating data management: collecting information about various child and youth groups and their well-being status, reporting it also in the context of well-being reporting.
• Communication to different groups: websites at least in English, considering accessibility. Guidelines and information will also be produced in English and, if necessary, in other languages.
• Resources for positive discrimination: identifying potential risks of marginalization and directing resources and funding towards prevention.
• Functional equality plan: Includes measures to prevent discrimination against different groups of children and youth by sector.

Goal 2: In addition to representative structures for participation, the municipality has other structures that strengthen participation, allowing children and youth to express their views at different ages. These views are taken into account in the planning and development of services.

Actions

• Children’s and youth’s participation in the municipality’s major documents and planning; municipal strategy work in 2025-2026
• Participation methods will be developed; anonymous feedback channel for children and youth
• Increasing the influence of the youth council; cooperation with decision-makers, enhancing dialogue, involvement in municipal decision-making, student councils to have connections with the youth council

Goal 3: The municipality systematically promotes the positive mental health of children and youth in its services.

Actions

• Mental well-being pathway; together with Kanta-Häme LYK municipalities and the welfare area
• School actions to promote children’s and youth’s nutrition
• Prevention of sexual violence; training and low-threshold support
• Small climate actions; schools and classes have the opportunity to influence their own living environment

Goal 4. Assessments of child impact are in use

Actions

• All decisions affecting children and youth undergo child impact assessments; training for preparers and decision-makers on children’s rights and child impact assessment
• The municipality has guidelines for preliminary impact assessments, and child impact assessment is part of the guidelines
• The views of children and youth are taken into account in decision-making

Goal 5. Youth’s own goal: Safe leisure time

• Young people organize events and activities in the municipality
• Safe leisure venues: principles of safe spaces; in schools, classrooms, youth facilities, hobbies, and everywhere children and youth move. Leisure time free from discrimination. Children and youth are involved in planning the spaces available to them and preventing the emergence of unauthorized gathering places.