Participation in Youth Services becomes easier in Turku
Youth Services Manager, Anna Salminen explains that the city has decided to discontinue the youth card because the aim is for every young person to feel welcome without unnecessary barriers.
Participation in youth services will become easier in Turku at the beginning of 2026, as the use of the youth card will be discontinued. The purpose of this change is to lower the threshold for young people to take part in youth centre activities, VimmA’s open activities, and the Cube skate hall. The goal is to make participation simpler and more accessible for all young people.
Youth Services Manager, Anna Salminen explains that the city has decided to discontinue the youth card because the aim is for every young person to feel welcome without unnecessary barriers.
"The feedback we received from young people played an important role in preparing this decision," Salminen says.
Commitment to safety and openness remains
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Previously, the youth card was required, for example, to ensure that the identity of young participants was known and that their guardians could be contacted if necessary.
Salminen notes that discontinuing the card is not expected to affect how well the young people participating in activities are known.
"We will continue to emphasise building a safe and open relationship with young people. Each young person is met as an individual."
Existing practices such as bans from facilities and mandatory notifications — including child welfare, criminal, or concern notifications — will remain unchanged.
An evaluation survey regarding the discontinuation of the youth card will be conducted in spring 2026. If the new practice is not considered effective based on experience, its use will be reassessed.Youth Services Manager Anna Salminen explains that the city has decided to discontinue the youth card because the aim is for every young person to feel welcome without unnecessary barriers.
IMAGE: Heikki Raisanen