The UNICEF Child-Friendly Cities Initiative is based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, a human rights treaty applied to all people under the age of 18. The initiative promotes the realisation of children's rights in cities and municipalities in keeping with Finland’s National Child Strategy. Many things that are important to children and young people are the responsibility of the city or municipality.
Helsinki has been part of the Child-Friendly Cities Initiative since 2021. In September 2024, UNICEF Finland recognised Helsinki as a Child-Friendly City. The initiative identifies which areas of the Rights of the Child the city has succeeded in and which areas need development. It also defines what the city should do to maximise the implementation of the Rights of the Child. Progress towards the set objectives is monitored systematically.
The objectives for the 2025–2028 period are:
- Improve the knowledge and understanding of children's rights among professionals and stakeholders.
- Ensure the implementation of child impact assessments across the city.
- Strengthen professionals' skills to identify, prevent and address violence against children (focus on domestic violence).
- Improve opportunities for children and young people to participate in urban environment planning.
- Work to foster children and young people's safety and safe encounters with adults.
Work according to the Child-Friendly Cities Initiative is one of the ways Helsinki will continue to promote the wellbeing of children and young people. The work will be coordinated with the Helsinki Welfare Plan. In addition to Child-Friendly Cities Initiative work, Helsinki will continue to promote a healthy, safe and secure life for children and young people in the city in a number of other ways. Helsinki is committed to promoting equality, equity and human rights in all its activities. Participation and interactivity will be strengthened in all City activities. Every child is precious, and the rights of the child belong to all children.
For more information on the objectives of the upcoming Child-Friendly Cities Initiative period, the related measures and what has been achieved so far in the context of the initiative, see the ‘Health and welfare promotion’ website.(Link leads to external service)
