'Youth Municipality of the Year' distinction raises the status of youth issues

We spoke to an earlier winner of the award and asked the municipality to share some memories and experiences from the time as Youth Municipality of the Year.

Åsa Askerskär, Municipal officer responsible for youth affairs from Kristinehamn – Youth Municipality of the Year 2007.

What are your recollections from the ceremony when you won the award?
Oh my! I remember standing on the stage and phoning our information officer in the municipality. And the news spread quickly. The newspapers started ringing and the next day there were already signs up at the entrance to Kristinehamn welcoming visitors to Youth Municipality of the Year!

What did it mean for you to be Youth Municipality of the Year?
Youth issues received a boost, with greater focus in the municipality and in the media. And, not least, young people in Kristinehamn felt proud of the achievement.

Did things change with the award?
Yes, the distinction of Youth Municipality of the Year raised the status of youth issues. It was a kind of recognition of our activities. And I think now that people listen more when we raise the youth perspective in other political areas.

What did you do with the prize money?
Top of the wish list among young people themselves is a youth centre. But unfortunately, of course, there wasn't quite enough money for that, ha ha. So we turned the Municipal Building into a youth centre for one week. The week was filled with concerts and activities that young people themselves had requested and planned. And in connection with that week, we also held a national conference on how to combat social exclusion among the young.

What are the most important youth issues in the municipality now?
We have just put together a youth survey. The answers to the survey are a good indication of what young people themselves consider to be important questions. But otherwise I think youth unemployment is an extremely important issue.

Text: Claudia Torres
Photo: Torunn Andersson