New channel for reporting racism coming to Tampere

– In a panel discussion on racism, young people asked us deputy mayors to establish a clear channel for reporting racism. We took action, and the goal is to have the new channel up and running by summer in city services and facilities, recreational venues, public transportation, and eventually in sports clubs and associations, says Deputy Mayor Anne-Mari Jussila.

During the spring, the city will test different forms of feedback and their functionality for the reporting channel. Experiences and feedback will be collected, for example, during the Vaikuta Days for 9th graders, in youth centers, on the Discord platform, and in collaboration with members of the city's immigrant council, Roma working group, and basic education anti-racism working group, who have experience and expertise in racism.

Reports can be made anonymously

Along with the new reporting channel, the models for addressing racism in all city services will also be updated. It should be possible to give feedback anonymously, and the reporter should be able to receive a response to the racist situation they have reported if they wish.

– We aim to learn from the reports and use them to develop preventive tools to avoid similar situations in the future, Jussila continues.

– It is the city's legal obligation to promote equality and intervene in racism, but supporting equality is also an essential part of Tampere's strategy and the mayor's program. Tampere is a city for everyone, where the city's residents also play a major role in ensuring that everyone can be themselves here in peace, emphasize Deputy Mayors Jaakko Mustakallio and Ilkka Porttikivi.

Anti-Racism Week is visible throughout the city

Anti-Racism Week, coordinated by the Finnish Red Cross, is visible in Tampere in numerous events organized in different parts of the city. For example, at the Tampere Residents' Evening held at the Hervanta Leisure Center on 17 March 2026, residents will have the opportunity to learn more and discuss the upcoming reporting channel with the deputy mayors. The patron of Anti-Racism Week in Tampere is Mayor Ilmari Nurminen.

In addition to the events and visibility organized by the city and its partners, Tampere is also participating in a joint anti-racism communication campaign organized by the Finnish Red Cross, the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities, and Finland's six largest cities.