International Kokoomus of Espoo
When no one hears you, your voice is lost – no matter how loud you speak. And without a voice, how does one truly integrate?
We’re here to open two-way communication between Espoo’s international community and the city’s decision-makers – ensuring every voice is heard. By empowering new leaders, we aim to foster true representation and a more inclusive future for all.
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- APRIL 2025 ELECTIONS
ABOUT US
The city of Espoo is the most international in all of Finland. Not only do Espoo inhabitants speak 156 native languages, but also international companies located in Espoo create half of the value in the Helsinki stock exchange. And, together with our universities they publish so many patents that Espoo ranks sixth in annual patents in all of Europe.
Nearly one in four inhabitants in Espoo come from outside of Finland and they are a true positive force of nature. While the Finnish average of university education is 41% of people, the Espoo average is 50%, but the international community living in Espoo boasts 56%!
That being said, naturally we do not limit our action to the educated but instead we are welcoming to all international backgrounds. And yes, native Finns are naturally welcome too.
Meanwhile, the Kokoomus party has always been the most international party in Finland, supporting Finland’s memberships in international organizations and building bridges across the globe with all nations throughout its history.
In 2024 – better late than never – a group of Espoon Kokoomus members launched a new local association, the International Kokoomus of Espoo, to address the following three large issues in our beloved city:
1. How to advance the integration of international residents to the Finnish society.
2. How to get them to actively participate in both the active decision making and the background conversations of the decision making.
3. How to mitigate the challenges of immigration and the feelings of having no roots.
In the spring of 2025, we have one solid goal. To get at least one Kokoomus candidate resident from a foreign background elected to the Espoo city council. For this, and for the sake of democracy, we strive to increase awareness of the local municipality and wellbeing area elections and the fact, that a majority of international residents have the right to vote – no matter what nationality their passport indicates! See more on the April 2025 elections -page of Espoo city. (linkitä alleviivattuun https://www.espoo.fi/vaalit)
THE BOARD
Chairman
Treasurer
Vice Chairman
Senior Advisor to the board
Secretary
Member
Member
Member
Marcell Kismartoni
Member
Member
Member
GET INVOLVED
Would you like to be involved in our association? We will welcome any nationality, gender, religion, etc. All you need to do is to be willing to share Kokoomus values and be willing to play a part in shaping the future of Espoo and Finland – with respect towards others – as we will act respectfully towards you.
Whether you simply want to keep your political participation on the background, or just help us distribute flyers or coffee, or whether you have the ambition to one day be the prime minister, anything, and we will support you and value you equally.
To join, fill out the form online and contact intkokoomusespoo@gmail.com
CONTACT
