Good practice:

Regional sponsors support citizen initiative

In several residential areas in Lahti and Hollola, there are one or more regional sponsors who are ready to listen to the suggestions of the residents to develop the surrounding area and increase community spirit.

The regional sponsor facilitates a close working relationship between residents and the city. The regional sponsors are people who have a passion to increase well-being in their city, their activity is based on voluntary initiative and they do not receive any compensation or salary. Regional sponsors listen to the townspeople, activate them to work to improve the common environment, and take the message or ideas to the official city sponsors they are familiar with so that the views of the townspeople can be taken into account in planning, decision-making, and implementation in the area.

Citizens reach out to the regional sponsors if they might have an idea that could improve the comfort, safety, or community in the residential area, but they don’t know how to get started or need a permit, etc. Regional sponsors can help or direct the citizens to city officials or others. In Lahti, the voluntary regional sponsors are assisted by city officials and a sustainable development director. The city of Lahti has a regional sponsors list that is in a form of an updated document on the city website. The practice is completely voluntary and supported by the city of Lahti.

The sponsors may be reimbursed for some costs as bus tickets or during cleaning days, where all the citizens voluntarily join to clean up some streets or beaches, the city of Lahti pays for the trash bags and the pick-up of the trash.

Currently, over 100 residents act as regional sponsors in Lahti and Hollola area. The city officials involved are currently 13 people who are in charge of diverse areas as the environment, harbour, city planning, forestry, etc. Furthermore, there is one director in charge of sustainable development and in charge of mobilizing the residents. The director writes newsletters to the regional sponsors who forward the information to other citizens.

Many regional sponsors lack interest in the practice after a while, as it is run by citizens on a voluntary basis, it might not work as effectively as it could.

The city of Lahti is in charge. Other small associations help implement the voluntary practice. The city of Lahti has trained regional sponsors to promote active citizenship.

The Finnish word “Aluekummit” can be translated into regional sponsor or as area godparents.
A regional sponsor is an ordinary, easily approachable, voluntary resident who undertakes to act as a link between residents and city officials if necessary. An important task of the regional sponsor is to listen to residents and to move forward with ideas that are thought through together among the residents to increase the comfort and security of the common environment in the Lahti region.
It is easy to implement a practice, however, it is dependent on positive encouragement and willingness from the city. As the practice is supported by the city it showcases the importance of citizen involvement in circular practices and climate action in order to reach a flourishing regional development.