Kihniö Youth Office has decided to apply for a Leader grant for the project "Kihniö, on the youth's side". Leader Pohjois-Satakunta is a local development association operating in the North Satakunta and Northwest Pirkanmaa regions. It finances projects of companies and communities from the EU Rural Development Fund that create jobs, support the development of the region and improve the well-being of residents.

The aim of the project is to promote the well-being, independence and inclusion of young people and to prevent exclusion. The activities organised through the project also aim to prevent vandalism. The project will be implemented in a youth centre that is politically and religiously non-aligned. Young people have participated in the planning of the centre and activities in order to meet the needs of the municipality. The youth centre is a safe environment for all young people, where themed evenings and events are organised that are desired by young people and support the aims of the project. During opening hours, reliable adults can be found in the youth centre, who will advise and guide young people on questions that concern them. The aim is to open the youth centre on Friday, 16 February 2024, during Valentine's Day week. The project will be implemented in cooperation with Kihniö 4H.

The need to promote the well-being and inclusion of young people and to establish a youth space has come from the young people themselves and from a survey conducted among the residents in the summer of 2023. In addition, the project responds to the municipal strategy and budget goals of the municipality of Kihniö.

The project is planned, coordinated and implemented by Arttu Latvajärvi, leisure instructor, Hanna Nordström, school youth worker, Jenni Vehmasto, educational secretary, Johanna Poikelispää, Kihniö 4H executive director, and Vilja Lankinen, welfare director. In addition, 1-2 part-time project workers will be hired. During the project, cooperation will also be carried out with other associations and clubs.

The project application will be submitted by email to the Education and Welfare Board for review. The deadline for submitting the application is January 15, 2024.