
About me
I am Tiina "Tinsku" Mikkonen, an accessibility specialist, feminist, and Green Party activist who's involved in all sorts of things. I am running in the municipal elections in Tampere to ensure that Tampere is truly and openly a city for everyone, now and in the future. I want Tampere to be a place where people can live a good and meaningful life within the limits of our planet. Decisions should reflect the diversity of Tampere’s residents, not just those who are already well represented.
I’m a Tampere local by choice—I moved here from Valkeakoski over 10 years ago to study. Tampere quickly became my beloved home city—I’ve lived in Hervanta, Annala, and the city center.
I love Tampere because it’s a city that’s constantly evolving. New restaurants, exhibitions, and possibilities for hobbies pop up all the time. Tampere is my beloved home, and I want to make sure it’s a great place to live for everyone—not just a stopover, but a place to live well and enjoy life. In my free time, you’ll find me enjoying the sauna and swimming at Rauhaniemi, playing kyykkä in Hervanta, enjoying arts, or catching live gigs—Tampere is the perfect place for all of this and so much more!
Values
In politics, I am guided by evidence-based decision-making and empathy. It is irresponsible to make decisions without relying on researched knowledge—this is especially clear when discussing the climate crisis. The necessary information has been available for a long time, yet it continues to be ignored in favor of economic growth at the expense of people’s well-being and nature. Politics also needs more empathy and a genuine ability to listen. Decision-makers must be able to understand and relate to different people and their situations. That’s why I prioritize collaboration and open dialogue with individuals and organizations. I work with determination and through discussion, but I never compromise on my values.
Justice and equality are my core values. I stand up for others and strive to make the communities around me better places to live and participate in. I do not tolerate injustice or the oppression of others. In politics, I work to ensure that diversity and inclusivity are considered in decision-making so that our society truly belongs to everyone.
I am a feminist and a vegan because of my values. To me, feminism means, above all, ensuring equal opportunities to live and participate in society without discrimination or barriers. Veganism is a way to advocate for animal rights, protect animals, and take tangible climate action for a more sustainable future. Justice also extends to how we treat nature and animals.
My journey
Tampere has been a part of my life even before I moved here — being just a short trip away, it was the perfect destination for day visits. After high school, it was clear to me that I would study in Tampere. The city offered a wide range of educational opportunities and felt just the right size — big enough to have plenty to do, but small enough to feel personal and welcoming.
When I arrived in Tampere, I started studying materials engineering at the university. However, I soon realized it wasn’t the right field for me, and I found myself unsure of my direction. Fortunately, I dared to reflect on what I truly wanted to do and eventually found my place in information technology and computer science. I firmly believe that everyone should have the opportunity to discover their own path, regardless of their background or ambitions. That’s why accessible education is one of my key priorities — I’m now in my dream job, and I doubt I would be here without free education and the ability to change career paths.
In my work, I ensure that digital services are accessible to everyone—regardless of their skills, limitations, or background. My job is all about understanding different people’s needs and making sure that everyone can navigate digital platforms independently, whether they’re shopping online, managing their banking, or reserving a book.
My work in the Greens
I joined the Greens after the 2019 parliamentary elections. For a long time, I had been active in the student movement, but I eventually felt it was time for something new. I wanted to continue working in line with my values, and the Greens were the perfect fit. The choice was clear—at the heart of the party are environmental protection, equality, and human rights.
Since joining, I’ve been involved in many ways: I’ve served on the boards of various associations, working to promote Green values both locally and nationally. I have led Green activities as the chair of the Greens in Tampere and helped shape the party’s policies as a member of the party council. In the 2021, I ran for municipal elections for the first time, and since then, I’ve served as a vice member of the City Council, vice chair in the council group Greens in Tampere, vice chair and member of the Community Council, and deputy member of the Regional Public Transport Committee. Working on the Community Council has been challenging but deeply meaningful to me. I see it as one of the most important places to advance Green values: every city plan and street plan affects how easy it is to get around, how Tampere is developed, whether we enhance biodiversity, and how we address the climate crisis in everyday life.
All of this has happened in a relatively short time, which reflects who I am: I don’t sit around waiting for opportunities to come my way but I actively seek ways to make a difference. To me, what matters most is that when I commit to something, I do it properly.
My positions of trust
Below you will find a list of my most significant positions of trust.
Board Member, Tampere University
Vice chair and member of the Community Council, City of Tampere
Board Member, Green Women in Tampere Region
Vice member of the City Council, Vice chair in the council group
Council Member, Greens, Academic Engineers and Architects in Finland (TEK)
Deputy member of the Party Council
Deputy member of the Regional Public Transport Committee
Current
Chair, Greens in Tampere
Member, Party Council
Board Member, Academic Engineers and Architects in Finland (TEK)
Vice Chair of the Information Policy Working Group, Greens
Board Member, Finnish Greens for Science and Technology
Board Member, Finnish Greens for Science and Technology in Pirkanmaa
Member, Consistory in Tampere University
Chair of the Youth Committee, Academic Engineers and Architects in Finland (TEK)
Chair, Student Union of Tampere University of Technology
Board Member, Student Union of Tampere University of Technology. Responsible of communications and student culture.