Membership criteria for joining the network

Municipal commitment

• Senior municipal management are responsible for promoting health in the municipality
• Senior municipal officials and elected officials have approved the plan to join the network/decision of the municipal council or board
• The municipality commits to the tasks agreed upon within the Network as well as preparing and organizing Healthy Cities Network meetings on a rotational basis

Administrative arrangements in the municipality

• The municipality has a welfare and health promotion management/steering group consisting of representatives of different administrative sectors.
• The municipality has appointed a health promotion coordinator / contact person.
• An elected official (politician) has been appointed to be responsible for Healthy Cities activities.
• Funds have been allocated for Healthy Cities activities.
• Clerical staff have been allocated for Healthy Cities activities.

Operations within the municipality

• A strategy to promote welfare and health has been prepared in cooperation with different administrative sectors. The operational objectives and indicators of the strategy are part of the action and financial plan.
• The municipality has an action plan for Healthy Cities Network activities, and its implementation will be reported to the Finnish National Healthy Cities Network annually.
• Activities to promote welfare and health are monitored and assessed according to the processes agreed upon within the National Network.

Operating within the National Network

• The municipality participates in the meetings of the National Network.
• The municipality has set up Healthy Cities web pages within the municipality web site to provide information on Network activities. The pages are updated regularly.