New article: “Bring Something Here for Us, Too!” – Young people’s wishes and participation barriers in remote areas

Savonia University of Applied Sciences published a new Savonia Articles Pro piece that looks at young people’s wishes and participation barriers in remote areas – based on data from the InnoGS project.

In the article, Sami Partanen (Savonia UAS) and Janina Sjöstrand (Humak UAS) share findings from an anonymous online survey that targeted 13–29-year-olds living in rural and remote regions across Finland. A total of 89 responses were received in autumn 2025.

Young people describe what they would like to see more of in their everyday lives: low-threshold local gaming events (LANs, gaming clubs), diverse physical activities such as skateparks, frisbee golf and ball games, Discord communities, creative workshops, as well as cozy and safe hangout spaces. At the same time, they point to familiar barriers: long distances and weak transport connections, lack of information about activities, costs – and the feeling that their ideas are not listened to in decision-making.

These insights directly support InnoGS pilots and the development of regional Digital Innovation Districts. They help partners design inclusive, hybrid and gamified activities that reflect the needs of different youth groups, including those with special needs, migrant backgrounds or mental health challenges.

Read the full article:
“Bring Something Here for Us, Too! – Young People’s Wishes and Participation Barriers in Remote Areas”
https://www.savonia.fi/en/articles-pro/bring-something-here-for-us-too-young-peoples-wishes-and-participation-barriers-in-remote-areas/