FULL ELECTION PROGRAM
FORWARD TOGETHER: OUR ELECTION PROGRAM FOR MARIEHAMN 2023-2027
Our politics are grounded in you— the citizens of Mariehamn. We prioritize initiatives where we can create the best living conditions and support for you. We stand for a society based on solidarity, mutual respect, and shared responsibility for our city. It is self-evident for us that this is built on parity, gender equality, freedom, democracy, and sustainability.
All residents of Mariehamn should feel secure with the opportunity to reach their potential.
Mariehamn’s Social Democrats are a significant party in Mariehamn and want to grow even stronger. Our political engagement is interwoven in all the city’s undertakings.
We work for people to have employment, receive good treatment, have access to quality healthcare, education, and care, and have the opportunity to shape outcomes, regardless of gender, age, disability, sexuality, nationality, religion, or ethnicity.
OUR MARIEHAMN CAN DO BETTER!
Mariehamn’s Social Democrats want to develop healthcare, education, and care in the city.
We work for a socially just community. We want all Mariehamn residents to navigate through life securely. Socioeconomic differences, gender power structures, and racism should be replaced by equal and equitable relationships.
The perspective of the child should permeate all the city’s activities. Mariehamn should offer excellent childcare and extracurricular activities. Fees should be as low as possible. Childcare should have sufficient trained staff, facilities that meet various needs, and flexibility regarding the number of children. Mariehamn must offer childcare and after-school care in accordance with the child’s needs and parents’ working hours.
We support a resource center for children with neuropsychiatric disabilities (NPF) and special needs, with sufficient individual support for children who need it. Mariehamn’s schools must have sufficient trained staff, facilities, and resources. Schooling that meets the needs of all students is an investment in our future.
Primary school should be completely free of charge, with no hidden fees during the school day. There should also be sufficient equipment to participate in school activities. No child should be forced to abstain from extracurricular or school activities due to their family’s finances.
The city must be proactive and involved in offering summer job placements, job internships, and employment opportunities in the city’s various working environments for young persons and individuals who may otherwise have difficulty finding employment due to various disabilities and health issues, in collaboration with interest organizations.
”We want children who need extra support to be able to participate in extracurricular activities during school breaks up to Grade 4. We demand the construction of a daycare center at Strandnäs School during the mandate period. We want to ensure good access to study groups, assistants, school coaches, speech therapists, counselors, and more modifications in classrooms and school buildings. We shall prioritize the mental health and well-being of children and young persons.”
A CITY FOR ALL
Mariehamn should be an age-inclusive city where enhanced accessibility benefits all residents. The senior population is growing, and efforts are needed to guarantee safety, good service, and adaptable housing.
In Mariehamn, there must be housing options that also suit smaller budgets, including communal living spaces to combat the pervasive issue of elderly loneliness.
Space-efficient, cost-effective, and adaptable apartments are built to meet current needs and with future needs in mind.
Modifications to the urban environment to enhance accessibility must be made continuously. We propose that a specially designated accessibility supervisor be appointed within the city’s organization.
To increase seniors’ safety, we will introduce assistive devices and technology as a complement to increase independence and improve the quality of life for older adults. Assistive technology should not replace personal care and attention but can provide added support to care workers. Assistive technology and devices also help caregivers to continue working longer.
We work for a Vision Zero for accidents in the home. A trial with a 30-hour workweek while retaining full-time pay in the care sector is our vision to improve the health and well-being of personnel. We advocate for competitive salaries and benefits within the city’s own administration and municipal functions. Municipal social services include special aid, addiction treatment, social aid, and child protection. We prioritize investment in preventive work and digitization in all care.
”We prioritize the construction of a memory care facility, rental apartments, and other housing forms with future needs in mind. We know that an investment in e-health increases both life quality and safety of the elderly and people under care while facilitating the work of staff. Preventive measures are a priority.”
PEOPLE FIRST!
We welcome all newcomers to Mariehamn and are proud of the efforts made to increase immigration. The city has a fantastic range of leisure and cultural offerings that we want to gather on a common digital portal where information is available in several languages.
Medis is a center for lifelong learning. The city should ensure that the facility has suitable premises.
Costs should never be a barrier for anyone to participate in the city’s activities. Wellness, exercise, and physical activity are important preventive methods for a healthy life.
The city’s leisure and facilities should introduce cost-free admission during off-peak hours. Discounts for retirees and students shall be revised and also include free admission for care aides.
A gender and age analysis in the city’s support and grant policy needs to be developed so that support is distributed more broadly and equally.
We work for strengthened and formal citizen influence throughout the authority. Residents’ engagement and ideas should be taken seriously. Participatory budgeting is an important democratic measure where residents in different neighborhoods and areas can participate in shaping their nearest environment and shared space.
A SUSTAINABLE CITY
We want a beautiful city with well-maintained and accessible outdoor environments, parks, and streets.
We want a city center where people thrive – with increased housing, more trade, culture, and more restaurants. In a sustainable city, we live in close proximity, have workplaces and services within walking distance, and have an active and diverse social life on streets, squares, and other natural gathering spots.
We want to actively promote cycling, public transport, and other fossil-free modes of transportation to reduce the amount of microplastics in our sensitive water areas and protect air quality.
We want to invest in several weather-sheltered bicycle parking areas where you can safely park your bike. A bicycle perk for city employees is introduced as a work and wellness benefit.
The city needs a real investment in public transport. The city hosts a diverse array of cultural events, and services should be augmented to ensure broader accessibility, even for those residing outside the city center. This benefits everyone.
Outdoor waste disposal is gradually replaced by sorted recycling with higher security against pests.
Mariehamn is a major procurer of food in Åland, and with that comes great responsibility. Locally produced ingredients, organic ingredients with an emphasis on seasonal produce, nutrition education, and reduced food waste should permeate the city’s food service. Carbon dioxide emissions from city operations must be reduced, and encouraging healthy eating habits throughout life is an investment in public health.
We prioritize the preserving and utilizing of Doktorsvillan, Bastun, Engelska parken, and Lilla Holmen to give culture a boost in the city. We are proud of the cultural heritage of Mariehamn and propose a fund to secure the financing and maintenance of culturally historic areas and buildings.
We believe that the Östra hamnens recreational area will become a reality in the future. It will be an accessible and beautiful part of the city, connecting Lilla Holmen with Sjökvarteret, creating new recreational areas on the shores of Slemmern. The city expands.
”We work for an expanded public transportation in the city that includes evenings and weekends. We welcome an increase in cycling in the city and prioritize dedicated areas for bicycles. A fund with allocated financing ensures the maintenance and care of culturally historic buildings and areas. Outdoor environments are prioritized and weatherproofed.”
A GOOD AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY
We want to invest in people and think long-term. We must use our common resources wisely to attract new citizens, help them integrate, and make the city appealing.
Decisions should be based on facts and implemented with consideration for how they affect the coming generations of Mariehamn. We support workers’ rights and the freedom to unionize to improve working conditions and pay.
We want a strong social safety net and investment in education and support for small businesses.
We invest in making our properties more energy-efficient by means of solar panels and smart water management. Technological upgrades assist us in working more efficiently and reduce costs.
The health and well-being of our employees is key to reduce sick leave and work-related problems. We collaborate with other municipalities and organizations, especially in infrastructure and joint projects.
All of this requires careful budgeting and sustainable fiscal solutions. We must be honest about the costs and revenues in each budget and not underestimate our commitments.
”We work for a climate-smart efficiency of the city’s properties to reduce operating costs. We believe in increased collaboration within the city and in joint investments with other municipalities and the public sector as well as the business community. Increased immigration, more housing, and jobs are to be prioritized. Investing in employee well-being and technological advances not only saves costs but also prevents work-related health issues. We must stop underfinancing our committees in the name of savings.”
