The subject for the thesis was discovered from the cultural office of the city of Joensuu. Aim of this study was to examine the current state of children’s cultural activities in Eno and Uimaharju areas. The work was carried out by executing a survey for the parents of the fifth grade students. The basic idea of the survey was to examine the importance of the cultural activities and services in the area. The survey examined the quantitative and qualitative issues of the cultural activities and services, such as financial resources of the families, the use of cultural hobbies and services as well as their quality. Also the future needs and desires of the families with children were mapped out.

Questionnaires were sent to schools in Eno, Uimaharju and Louhioja. The flexible teaching groups were also included. Total amount of the questionnaires that were sent was 59 and 29 of those were returned back, one of which was empty form. Most of the respondents were women. The majority of respondents' children lived in rural areas. This raised a number of questions such as the need for the transportation, should more activities be arranged in the rural areas and the quality of the content of the activities.

The needs for development were intended to find out through a survey. Based on the survey the most important areas of development in Eno and Uimaharju areas were to enhance the sharing of the information about the activities and services, to develop the content of the activities and services, to improve the cooperation with the third party agents and to modify activities and services so that the resources of the households are taken into account.

The history of the region and the knowledge of man’s own cultural background foster the cultural tradition. The cultural heritage has modified the identity and behavior of the inhabitants of the region. Changes in the environment and society are modifying the elements in the living environment. When man moves to a new place, man wants to know about the services and leisure opportunities of the new living environment. The social structure of the new area is also one of the subjects that interests people.

The basis of the survey was the strategic goal to preserve the cultural services as the basic municipal services. Enhancement of the children’s and young people's well-being through means of cultural and art education has given good results in the prevention of children's and young people's social exclusion. The goal for the development is to get a stimulating and safe environment for Eno and Uimaharju area children and young people to live as well as to organize high-quality cultural activities and services for children and young people.