Tampere launches 'Listen to Youth' campaign after survey finds one in three pupils hesitate to confide

The city launched the month-long Listen to Youth campaign after young people asked to be heard. Running through the end of August, it encourages adults to check in with teenagers and offers practical tips for starting those conversations.

The campaign complements the city's spring launch of a youth wellbeing ecosystem, which set measurable goals for 18–28-year-olds to improve wellbeing.

It follows the 2025 national school health survey, which found about one in three pupils in grades 8 and 9 feel they cannot discuss their concerns with their parents often enough. Ulla Ojalammi, Tampere’s director of basic education, says a simple "How are you?" can have a real impact. Being heard strengthens a young person's sense of safety and belonging, deepens their connection to school and helps adults spot worries early, before they grow into bigger problems.

Eighty local young people helped shape the campaign's messages and visuals, alongside partners including the police, Pirkanmaa wellbeing services and several NGOs. Mayor Ilmari Nurminen, the campaign's patron, said every young person should feel accepted and supported by listening adults. Practical tips and resources to start conversations are available at tampere.fi/kuuntelenuorta.