The Ostrobothnia Civil Society Academy

Are you interested in fostering positive intergroup relations, promoting inclusion as a means of supporting integration, and encouraging youth participation? Join us in Vaasa on 1 October for a discussion on these topics.

The Ostrobothnia Civil Society Academy will take place in Vaasa on 1 October 2025 from 9.30 to 15.00. The event is aimed at public officials, organisations, and elected officials with an interest in the topic. The event will be held in three languages (Finnish, Swedish and English).

The aim of the Civil Society Academy is to increase mutual understanding, dialogue, and networking between public administration and civil society stakeholders.

The event will focus on good intergroup relations, inclusion as a means of supporting integration, and youth participation. See the detailed programme in the attachment!

Attend in person or remotely

You can attend in person at the Administrative Building in Vaasa (Vaasanpuistikko 10), or join remotely via Teams. A Teams link will be sent to remote participants a few days prior to the event.

Register for the event by 23 September: https://link.webropolsurveys.com/S/780719B6EC7A0C87

PROGRAMME

9.30 Morning coffee and networking
10.00
Opening remarks by Frans Villanen, Chair of Vaasa City Council
Greetings from Open Government
10.20
Keynote speaker: Youth participation, Pietro Gagliardi, Policy Analyst, OECD
The story of a young immigrant, Sa Myer Oo, expert by experience from EHJÄ ry’s Kuule minua project
Youth Council address, Santiago Laitinen, Chair of the Vaasa Youth Council
11.20
Municipalities and NGOs as key actors in promoting good intergroup relations, Nexhat Beqiri, Senior Planning Officer, Uusimaa ELY Centre
"Ti arbeit i laag" – Cooperation between the municipality and associations, Heidi Nyman, Director of Welfare, Municipality of Vörå
Announcement of the 2025 NGO-friendly municipality, Ostrobothnia Associations and the Regional Council of Ostrobothnia
12.00–13.00 Lunch break (self-funded)
13.00 Panel discussion: The future of NGOs
13.30 Small group discussions
14.30 Afternoon coffee and informal discussion
The event ends at 15.00

The event is organised in collaboration by the City of Vaasa, the Regional Council of Ostrobothnia, the Wellbeing Services County of Ostrobothnia, the Ostrobothnia ELY Centre, Aktion Österbotten, and Ostrobothnian Associations.    

The event will adhere to the principles of safer spaces, they guide us to treat each other well, promote equality, take responsibility for a positive atmosphere, and learn from each other’s experiences. Our goal is to create an environment where every participant feels safe and respected.