Citizens' initiative is a source of direct influence. It allows municipal citizens to raise a topical matter or problem and encourage decision makers to pay attention to it.
An initiative usually proposes an improvement on a particular issue, and often seeks to promote the interests of a wider group. The citizens' initiative should therefore not to be confused with a feedback or an application.
Submit the initiative to the municipality either electronically or on paper.
You can submit a citizens' initiative on the website kuntalaisaloite.fi or you can deliver it electronically or by letter post to the municipality’s administrative and support services.
The residents of a municipality, people who own or govern real property in the municipality, and communities and foundations that operate in the municipality have the right to submit initiatives on matters that concern the municipality’s activities. People who use the municipality’s services have the right to submit initiatives on matters concerning the service in question.
The community and foundation refer to parties that have ownership in the municipality or a connection to a service. Such a community or foundation may be local, regional or national.
An initiative usually concerns developing a service or tackling an issue at a general level. The competent municipal authority must consider the initiative as soon as possible. In all cases, the municipality must respond to the person who submitted the initiative and report on any measures taken as a consequence of it.
A minimum of four per cent of municipal residents who have turned 15 can submit an initiative to organise a municipal referendum. If at least four per cent of the residents who have turned 15 jointly submit initiative to organise a municipal referendum, the council must decide without delay whether to hold a municipal referendum.
Local Government Act