On 8 March the Marttinen Youth Centre in Virrat, Finland received the Council of Europe’s Quality Label for Youth Centres for the period 2019-2021 and thus became the 13th youth centre to be honoured. The award ceremony was held in the presence of Viivi Pekkonen from the Ministry of Education and Culture, Eija Pietilä, Executive Director, Finnish Youth Centres Association and Antje Rothemund, Head of Youth Department of the Council of Europe.
The Council of Europe Quality Label for Youth Centres labels youth centres for their achievements in promoting Council of Europe values in youth policy. The European Steering Committee for Youth (CDEJ) decided to award the Quality Label to the Marttinen Youth Centre for its pedagogical programme, expertise in environmental education and social youth work and ability to build strategic partnerships and networks. Surrounded by nature, the Marttinen Youth Centre with its well-functioning and multi-purpose infrastructure also responds thoroughly to modern standards.
