Taneli, who grew up in Kontiolahti, found his field of studies after a few false starts through folk dancing. He also found his way to the Finnish Youth Association's project team and became a candidate in the municipal elections. While he is sometimes concerned over young people’s opportunities in rural areas, Taneli nevertheless trusts the vitality of the countryside.

The Finnish Youth Association helped Taneli grow into an influencer and inspired him in selecting his field of study

In a sense, Taneli’s road from Kontiolahti to participation was paved at the age of three.

“The back story is quite funny. My parents met in a dance group for young people in Savo. They also wanted us to try dancing. I have been doing folk dancing in Motora, a youth association in Joensuu, since I was three. This sparked my personal interest in youth association activities.”

What Taneli finds the best is belonging to a great dance group that has remained the same for as many as six years. The group has also gradually led him to many types of meaningful activities. First of all, Motora trains instructors, which is why Taneli also ended up leading younger people’s groups. This, in turn, helped clarify his plans for the future.

“I'm studying for a qualification as a youth and community instructor for the second year. I guess it was Motora that got me interested in this instruction thing, to the point where I wanted to do it as a job.”

When you participate and do things together, you feel a part of something bigger.

Soon enough Taneli found himself in the core team of the Finnish Youth Association’s Young influencers project.

“I had been interested in the Finnish Youth Association as a national organisation for a long time. I have also always wanted to influence things, so I figured, what could be a better way of exerting influence than through something that is close to my heart. The project has coached us in exerting influence, but at the same time we get to bring up issues ourselves.”

Based on talking to young people, Taneli believes that their willingness to participate is on the rise: young people have opinions and even solutions to bigger problems, as long as they have the courage to come out with them. However, Taneli needs to reflect for a moment when asked where his own desire to exert influence actually stems from.

“Perhaps it makes you feel a part of something bigger when you exert influence and do things together. When we talk about things in our groups and then are told that the Finnish Youth Association’s Board has discussed them, it’s a really great feeling. We have been given power, and they really listen to us.”

Finally, Taneli would like to add one more thing.

“The Young influencers project also gave me the courage to go for municipal politics! I am now a candidate in the next municipal elections.”

Rural young people deserve their share of the budget

The European Youth Goal number six is Moving rural youth forward. In other words, it aims for safeguarding their equal opportunities with young people in the cities.

“That goal sounds insanely fantastic. As I have lived in Kontiolahti, I have not exactly had the same opportunities as those who live in Joensuu, for example. We have two youth clubs in Kontiolahti, but there are more in Joensuu, even in smaller areas. The amount of money the municipality budgets in youth work is also not the same.

In the Finnish Youth Association, Taneli is hoping to influence recreational and low-threshold activities, including ‘relaxed exercise’ open to everyone. From the point of view of equal opportunities, Taneli is concerned over not only the availability of hobbies but also about education and the provision of public transport in rural areas.

“I’ve actually been thinking about this a good bit. I live in student housing at the moment myself, and I think this really tells us something. The opportunities are not quite the same. I know some people whose parents would not let them live in the dorms. Or if there is a certain choice you would like to take in general upper secondary school but it’s not available around here – well, tough luck. I would like to see better public transport, for example between the small villages and larger cities, so that young people could go to school without having to move into a dorm or other major hassle.

Despite everything, Taneli sees a bright future with vibrant villages for young people in rural areas, at least in Kontiolahti.

"What gives me loads of hope is that the rural villages of Kontiolahti have really proud people. There is a real sense of community and people feel good – that’s what gives me hope.” 

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

Arman and Aimal were confused to observe the anxiety felt by people living in ‘the happiest country in the world’. Now their observation is being turned into a documentary film that got off the ground thanks to Solidary Corps project funding. Arman and Aimal reflect on how the lack of communality impacts on wellbeing, and on the obstacles that hamper refugees’ or immigrants’ involvement and participation.

The idea of a documentary expanded beyond the Solidarity Project and is already generating new ideas for peer support

Armani and Aimal had an idea for a documentary film about mental health problems in Finnish society which stems from an everyday observation.

They had carried out background research and talked to experts, they had the required training and skills for directing and filming, and they had spent several years getting the filming equipment together. Because of their studies and work, however, it was difficult to find time for the project.

“Then a Finnish film producer told us about the Solidarity Projects and said that although they had never funded a film project before, it was worth a try. We did receive funding, and the Solidarity Project gave us the energy to really launch the project”, Aimal recalls.

At first, they were planning to produce the documentary independently, only relying on the Solidarity Project funding. However, film producers advised them and said that taking more time and a more professional approach would be worthwhile if they wanted the documentary to reach the audience.

Some of their acquaintances, producers and production companies are currently interested in the documentary, but the first task is to find the rest of the characters from different parts of Finland. This is where some luck will be needed, as the topic is sensitive and requires networking, and the pandemic makes finding such people even more difficult. The film-makers have also had to take trouble in order to remain loyal to themselves as the process goes on.

“We have talked to many documentarists and producers, and all of them – each and every one – has suggested that we should have more refugees in our film. I have said from the outset that I do not want to make a film about the mental health problems of refugees. I have not experienced them, but I have experienced the mental health problems of Finns. People often think that everything a refugee does is about being a refugee. I do not agree. I do not want to be a refugee filmmaker. I just want to be a filmmaker, a person who makes films. Even so, it is more acceptable for me as a refugee talk about refugees’ problems. However, it is also possible for me to have knowledge about Finnish people’s problems. In fact, I can know more about them because I look at them from the outside”, Arman emphasises.

After coming a long way themselves, Arman and Aimal have started considering ways of making their skills, knowledge, networks and tools available for others interested in filmmaking to use and borrow. Not everyone has the same opportunities.

Arman and Aimal are also concerned in a more broad sense over how obstacles related to language skills, cultural differences, networks and resources affect immigrants’ and refugees’ possibilities to influence societal issues.

“When I came to Finland almost eight years ago, I was experienced and really wanted to change things, but there did not seem to be many opportunities for that. The language was one of the biggest challenges, and also people’s narrow way of thinking”, Aimal describes his experience.

Cultural focus on individuality may expose Finns to mental health problems

The fifth European Youth Goal is about Mental health and wellbeing: recognising them as an important theme and problem for young people, a need for better services, and fighting the stigma about mental health issues.

Arman and Aimal’s idea for the documentary also originated from an observation related to young people’s mental health – especially in Finland.

"It all started when I listened to Finns talking about their ordinary life. At some point I noticed that many of my friends suffered from anxiety. Some could not leave their homes for several days or weeks because they were so anxious. It was new to me, I had not experienced anything like that in my home country, Iran, where I lived for a short time. Then Finland was selected as the happiest country in the world. I think this is an interesting contrast”, says Arman.

Arman and Aimal hope to use their documentary to draw attention to this phenomenon and raise questions. As artists, they find that this role comes more naturally to them than proposing solutions directly.

“Personally, I think that this phenomenon could be caused by the focus on individuality and the fact that there are no communities in Finnish society. There are individuals and society, but nothing in between. If you think about Iran and Afghanistan, for instance, religion creates communities in these countries. Feeling that you belong to something makes it easier to face the difficulties of life. On the other hand, such issues as environmental problems have a negative effect on young people’s mental health, in particular”, Arman analyses.

Arman and Aimal think it is comforting that young people are not afraid to talk about mental health. It is not a taboo. On the other hand, they worry because people talk about it and agree, but that is all.

“Individualism is a tricky thing. We can't just say that you should get a community together. Different parties need to react and have access to support, we need public awareness, the media – perhaps a few films about this subject”, Aimal smiles knowingly.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

Eveliina went on her first youth exchange a decade ago and got addicted to opportunities for young people's international participation. While Eveliina is grateful for her experiences, she is concerned over the availability of youth-friendly information and the division of young people into active participants and those who are more difficult to reach.

Interest in theatre opened doors to Europe and Eveliina’s eyes to the world

“I participated in my first youth exchange at the age of 13. When they asked me in English how old I was, I used my fingers to indicate the answer. I could remember how to spell thirteen, but I was not brave enough to try and pronounce the word. I think of this development as a ladder or a staircase. When you had been on one exchange, you had the courage to go for the following one, then you were brave enough to go on your own for the first time, and now I have completed my university studies abroad. I have always found courage for the next and slightly bigger adventure.”

This description comes from Eveliina, whose enthusiasm has carried her to as many as four youth exchanges and two Youth Initiative projects, a twin towns trip, a period of volunteering and EuroPeer training. She also completed her Bachelor's degree in the United Kingdom.

At the age of five, Eveliina joined a drama group at Loimaa Theatre. Since 2011, all youth exchanges and initiatives in which she has participated have been organised by Loimaa Theatre, with the exception of one. The theatre has always been the common denominator. The destinations have been Ireland several times and Austria once. Some of the activities have taken place in Finland, and Eveliina also went to a twinning project camp in Denmark.

Eveliina no longer remembers if the initiative to take part in the first youth exchange originally came from her. However, one good experience was always followed by the next. Broadening her horizons became addictive.

“It’s kind of addictive. I come from Loimaa, which is not a particularly international place. These projects have opened my eyes to see that there are other things in the world. They have introduced me to internationalisation and encouraged me to learn languages. This is why I have taken every chance to share information about mobility opportunities and my personal experiences. For example, if someone tells me that they are taking a gap year, I also promote these opportunities to my friends and people I hardly know!”

Sometimes the opportunities have come just at the right moment in Eveliina’s life.

“After general upper secondary school, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. I wanted to take a gap year. I volunteered in Grenoble in the French Alps. It was exactly what I needed at that point. The EuroPeer training, on the other hand, I found myself on the Internet. It was something of a sudden notion and I did not think I would get picked at first", Eveliina recalls.

Eveliina still remembers the body percussion she learned in a dance workshop themed on sexual health on her first youth exchange. The youth exchanges and Youth Initiative projects have included countless activities: shows, various workshops and forms of theatre, getting to know other cultures through food and music, or sometimes a surprise activity, such as kayaking, climbing or rugby.

Sometimes her feelings have been mixed.

"The first youth initiative trip was one of my best and worst experiences. We went to a great Irish boarding school, a combination of a super modern school and Hogwarts. But we were a theatre group and they were pupils in a Catholic boys’ school, so maybe we did not click so well. They were athletes and only interested in rugby. Well, we ended up doing a play about rugby.”

The eternal challenge of inspiring and the pain of boring information

The fourth European Youth Goal, Information and constructive dialogue, calls for young people to have access to reliable and youth-friendly information and support for their ability to evaluate information critically and engage in constructive dialogue. The ninth Youth Goal, “Space and participation for all', adds to this the demand for safe and accessible physical and virtual spaces for young people. The facilities should guarantee possibilities for democratic participation for all young people with different backgrounds and in all decision-making processes.

Eveliina, too, sees room for improvement in young people's access to spaces and opportunities as well as information about them. She also reflects on the problem of young people being divided into those who participate and those who do not know about or have no interest in the opportunities for participation.

“You often involve those who are already participating. If you get your foot in once, it’s easy to take the next step. But all these European opportunities are kind of hidden. When I tell people about them, they often have no idea what I’m talking about. And even if they did, can they find a project, or will there be one close to where they live? It’s easier to reach young people through education, but how about those who are working or doing something else?”

On the other hand, Eveliina recognises young people’s need to be encouraged and inspired.

“Even if I am 23 already, I feel I’m too young, I’m not part of the adult world. They sometimes make things sound really difficult when they explain them, and things that sound difficult are not very interesting, either. Participation as a concept is broad and a bit boring. Yeah, come and participate and exert influence, but on what? The information should be more focused on the actual issues, and the issues should also be important for young people.”

Eveliina finds that setting European Youth Goals is a good sign, but she wonders if they will remain empty words.

“On the other hand, I have been able to take part in so many things and it has been great. They have been really concrete opportunities, so why shouldn’t we also be able to achieve these goals in concrete terms?” Eveliina concludes, leaning on the side of hope.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

Inês from Portugal and Betty from Spain came to Finland to do a period of voluntary work with the Finnish Blue Ribbon Foundation. While they do not see that equal opportunities are realised between or within European countries, efforts to encounter, understand and respect all people have brought them meaning.

Beyond stereotypes and towards understanding different societies and groups of people

As she completed her Bachelor's degree in a precarious employment situation and in the advent of the second wave of Covid-19, Inês decided to take on voluntary work abroad. Short periods of volunteering had already familiarised her with this concept.

She selected Finland because of the better Covid-19 situation in this country and the Finnish Blue Ribbon, which helps people with homelessness, substance abuse and mental health problems, because such themes are not often available.

“I always only try choose things that I have not done before. Many projects involve working with young people or people with disabilities, which is of course important, but I went for this one as the most different choice. Some would say that this is the 'worst spot' of all societies. Many people do not like homeless people because they do not follow our rules. I think it is important to get to know this part of society that is often forgotten about and understand what these people think and how they can be helped. Leaving them outside will certainly not improve things", says Inês.

Betty also completed a Bachelor’s degree, found her possibilities of getting a job doubtful, and wanted to focus on improving her English language skills with a view to later studying for a Master's degree in a country where the standard of English is good.

“I chose the Blue Ribbon Foundation because I have studied social work and thought that I could get to know the Finnish system and compare it to the one in my country”, Betty explains.

Inês and Betty both say they thought, or people in their home countries stereotypically think, that everyone in the Nordic countries is doing well, everyone is rich, and homelessness is not part of the picture. While working with the Blue Ribbon Foundation, they have found that this is not true.

Inês and Betty’s tasks have included making meals for homeless people and sorting out donated clothes. Sometimes they write posts for the website.

“When the pandemic situation allowed, I played chess with a client a couple of times a week. The employees do not always have time for such things, but I really liked doing it. Clients also like the idea that a stranger, and a foreigner at that, takes an interest in them and would like them to feel good, "Inês explains.

“Yeah, sometimes we are for the clients...if not exactly friends, then also not authorities like the employees, and our relationship with them is different”, Betty adds. 

When you cannot change the big picture, you have to change the world one encounter at a time

The third European Youth Goal is Inclusive societies where everyone has the same rights, and problems including poverty or discrimination are intervened in, making it possible to stop the marginalisation of people and groups.

The journey towards this goal appears long to Inês and Betty, as there is inequality in Europe both within and between countries. Both point out that young people in southern Europe, for example, do not actually have the same starting points as their peers in the north: when they apply to Master's degree programmes abroad, for instance, the English proficiency level offered by their education systems is not considered adequate, unlike the systems in Germany and Finland.

“However, it is important to be grateful for what you have in order to help others. Otherwise we might start thinking that we are the ones with the most problems in life", Inês says.

Completing each other’s sentences, they describe the idea that the most important thing is caring. When you start caring about others, you share something with them, and you can also change the way they think. Rather than learning about different life situations, the key is having concrete dealings with different people. Both believe that things can also be changed at the grassroots level by meeting the right people, one small act at a time.

“I can only say that handing out a bun to a homeless person is the best thing you can do. I don't know why, but it makes them really happy,” Inês laughs, half seriously.

“In the end, I am very hopeful about the future. I always try to think that things are getting better, at least if we compare what we have today to life a hundred years ago”, says Betty, for whom being active in communities is part of normal life. 

“I think we often tend to see the future as negative because, as we get older, we start understanding the problems better. I don’t believe that we can achieve a fully equal society, but we can always fight for it, and this is the best we can do. I’m not quite sure what young people think about today in addition to TikTok and Instagram, but I hope they will understand this and not take everything for granted", Inês concludes.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

Equality is an important theme for Valo, a student and transgender activist from Helsinki. Valo believes that we should listen to young people and pay more attention to gender diversity and the specific nature of the problems faced by each gender.
One helping of gender equality, please!

The aspects of European Youth Goal number 2, Equality of all genders, include equal rights, ending gender-based discrimination and violence, equality in the labour market, eliminating stereotypical gender roles and embracing diverse gender identities. When you ask Valo Vesikauris, a young person from Helsinki, what they sound like, the response is a laugh:

“Yes, more of all this, please! One of each.”

Then Valo turns serious and points out that, when we aim for gender equality, the objective should really be equality for each and every gender, and we should remember what the special characteristics of the different genders are that we should pay attention to.

“For example, when we talk about the sexual violence, hate speech, harassment, safety issues and lack of pay equality faced by women, the challenges of cis women (whose gender identity corresponds to the sex determined at birth) and women with a trans background are partly the same, but partly also very different. On the other hand, men face structural discrimination in the form of military service. Men also suffer from mental health problems and commit suicide statistically more often than women. Men’s narrowly defined and toxic culture of masculinity harms not only women but also men themselves”, Valo analyses and continues:

“As a genderqueer person myself, it often annoys me that even today, the discussion on gender equality is summed up as equality between men and women. Gender diversity and the entire spectrum of genders are often forgotten.”

Because of Valo’s minority status, trans people’s rights are a natural topic on which Valo strives to exert influence. A year ago, Valo was involved in setting up a new organisation, the Trans association. Its activities have rapidly got off to a good start, and it has also received funding for its Solidarity Project from the European Solidarity Corps.

“We want the whole trans community to have the tools for defending their rights”, Valo explains the idea behind the project, which consists of workshops on activist themes.

On the other hand, all this has also been influenced by the evolution of Valo’s personal drive to exert influence.

“Ever since I was a child, I have had a pretty strong sense of justice. Although they keep telling us that Finland is the happiest country in the world, our gender equality situation is good and we are pioneers of an equal welfare society, there has been little or no progress in many things, and discriminatory attitudes and practices can be found in every structure and institution, from politics to the world of school, working life and upbringing. I have learned to recognise areas of inequality and started becoming angry: this is not how it should be, we have to do something about it!”

Future in the youth, hope in the community
Valo had done years of volunteer work with young people before the Trans association and finds strengthening and respecting the voice of young people in society important. Valo also believes that young people want and know how to participate, as long as channels for this are provided and they are made aware of everything that civic participation can be.

“In the world of school, young people could be given concrete options, for example giving them the possibility to influence theme days, the time the school day starts, school lunches... Through such things, we could get across the message that they have the right to say their opinion and show which solutions would work for them. You do not have to accept everything that is handed down from above.”

Valo believes that young people are the group that finds it the easiest to let go of outdated stereotypes and norms and learn to regard equality between people and genders as normal and diversity as the new standard.

“I would like to believe that at some point, gender issues would no longer be something extraordinary, topics of debate and a cause for shock. Diversity would be a matter of routine. As a trans person, you would not have to consider in every situation whether or not you should come out, and the whole concept of coming out could be discarded", Valo visualises.

However, Valo is concerned because there seems to be a backlash against every movement that promotes progress in society. As an activist, Valo has also received a fair share of harassment.

On the other hand, Valo has been delighted to see that people finally are more interested and talk about trans persons and their rights.

“The sense of togetherness and communal spirit give me hope. The idea that us transgender people, for example, can work together to try and influence matters that concern us. For example, the 'Right to be' citizen’s initiative has felt empowering. It is easier to be an optimist and strive for a hopeful future than to keep worrying. You could feel bad endlessly and about everything. Personally, I think it’s better and healthier to focus on hope – that way you can achieve more.”

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

Inkeri became enthusiastic about 4-H activities in grade 7. When she went on a youth exchange, she found her preferred way of learning, through practical work and with the support of friends. Inkeri calls for different learning opportunities for all young people.

4-H activities and youth exchanges motivate different learning than sitting at school

When Inkeri from Uurainen starts telling you about all the 4-H activities in which she has been involved, the list takes your breath away: she has led children's clubs, participated in short training sessions and courses, and managed two 4-H companies. She has even found summer jobs and an internship through 4-H.

4-H youth exchanges, on the other hand, have offered her international learning experiences and chances to travel. Starting at the age of 14, Inkeri has participated in three exchanges – annoyingly, her fourth youth exchange was cancelled because of the pandemic.

While Inkeri has had a broad interest in all opportunities of doing and experiencing things, she notes that not all participants in the youth exchanges were particularly outgoing.

“This experience is just so perfect for everyone. The people really were not all the same. Even if you were a bit shy or couldn’t speak English very well, the others encouraged and helped you, made sure that everyone who wanted to could join in. I learned to hang out with different people and get along with them, too. Making good friends that I still keep in touch with today was great, and my English improved so much. I found the courage to speak, and I am still fluently today", Inkeri recalls.

The theme of the first youth exchanges was entrepreneurship, which resonated with Inkeri’s experiences of keeping 4-H cafés with her friends. 

“You learned a lot about entrepreneurship culture in the other country, and the differences between it and Finland. For example, here in Finland we got the facilities for the summer café for free in Uurainen, but in Austria they usually have to pay a high rent for all premises.” 

The theme of the most recent youth exchange was robotics and technology skills. The programme included company visits, and the young people organised for each other workshops related to such topics as programming, coding and game design.

“I had done little else before except played computer games. I knew nothing about coding and programming. I got interested in it especially because you could work with your friends. There was no pressure, you did not get the feeling that oh my god, I should know how to do this right away. My friends and other people were around to show me what to do and helped me understand it. I learned an insane amount of things – about computers, phones and applications, or how to programme LEDs to get green and blue lights to flash in turn”, Inkeri explains.

Inkeri feels that participating in youth exchange projects has given her a certain self-confidence in everything that she does. At times, she has found that this way of learning is more of her thing than sitting at school.

“Oh, we really did do absolutely everything there! Learning like that was so different from what you do at school! At times we did just sit there and listen, too, but it was not all about working in a classroom. We got to see places and do different activities, and my motivation to learn was just so much higher. I have never been particularly interested in learning that is based on doing maths or mother tongue assignments at school. The way I learn is first seeing and then doing”, Inkeri stresses.

Opportunities to participate: against exclusion and for learning

On the list of European Youth Goals set by young people themselves, Quality employment for all came seventh and Quality learning eighth.

Inkeri believes that in addition to formal education, quality learning should also contain opportunities for projects outside the school. Inkeri finds that active participation and working with different people also benefit young people from the perspective of learning skills needed in the workplace and improve their motivation.

In fact, different learning experiences and internationalisation have also helped Inkeri to set her personal goals in life.

“I really liked those exchanges and internationalisation so much, and maybe this is why I realised that the tourism industry could be my thing. It’s a field where you get to do lots of different hands-on work", explains Inkeri, who is currently completing her Vocational Qualification in the Tourism Industry.

Inkeri wishes that young people would know about and have access to such opportunities as youth exchanges early on. She believes that young people are increasingly interested in exerting influence and participating, while she also understands that not everyone is interested in participating.

“So many people currently have lost their motivation as you can do nothing. I hope that in five years' time, not too many people will realise that they have no qualification and that they will not be able to find jobs anywhere. This creates a risk of exclusion.”

At best, making diverse possibilities available to young people could give them hope and help them find their own thing. This is something that Inkeri would also like to promote for her part.

“I’ve been thinking that if the 4-H club in Uurainen ever organises more of these youth exchanges and projects, it would be fun to go and help them as a volunteer. To go and encourage them from a young person’s perspective.”

Updated on Friday, 20/02/2026

I was a volunteer in the YMCA summer children’s holiday programme. My job was to help  supervise the children’s activities under the supervision of a Head Coach. The activities were mostly  physical, e.g. trampolining, tennis or dance.

Being a volunteer means to show a positive commitment and willingness  to work , means  to respond enthusiastically  and professionally, means to be engaged, means to be motivated to help other people.

But not just that, because since the first day of my project I’ve played more of an “ear ready to listen to you” than an assistant activity,  than a simple volunteer. I met different types of children, ages, nationalities, education, experiences and I was so happy that I could help them.

Even after a demanding day, when I saw the result of our work, a child that goes back home calm, feeling secured, confident, understood  and happy , I just felt happy and that I completed my task.

For example, during the dance class, one child couldn’t do the choreographies and started to panic and cry and when I arrived the kid was following me. When I asked her why do you cry he answered because I “suck” When I told her that the point is to enjoy what you do and  it’s not a competition the kid went back calm and happy. Something that fulfilled my heart.

In one phrase what is the result of my volunteering project: a golden experience for both me and the children.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

Aleksi Ollonen from Lapland volunteered in Lithuania for a year. The European Solidarity Corps give young people opportunities to travel abroad and participate in volunteer work of their own choosing.

Aleksi Ollonen's working day in Kolpene, Rovaniemi is over. As he answers his phone, he has just parked the car outside his house. Ollonen launches straight into reminiscences of his experiences abroad.

Several years have already passed since he volunteered: at that time, Ollonen was 22 and had recently completed his youth instructor qualification. He had found in his mailbox an e-mail from Rovaniemi youth services, which announced the possibility of participating in an EU-funded period of voluntary work abroad. Ollonen seized the opportunity, made his way to Lithuania the following summer, and spent a year volunteering in youth activities.

Youth activities were highly suited for Ollonen because of his qualification. Ollonen had previously worked with such groups as mental health rehabilitees.

“I had suitable experience, that's why I decided to go to Lithuania. Working in a youth club supported my professional development.”

Ollonen says that the work in youth clubs in Telšiai, Lithuania, was not much different from similar work in Finland. In their free time the volunteers did all sorts of things, for example baked Finnish Christmas pastries.

“We welcomed young people to the youth club and did whatever they wanted. We also organised events”, Ollonen describes his normal working day in Lithuania.

Mutual understanding without a common language

The length of voluntary work periods can vary from two months to a year. Ollonen spent one year, plus a few days’ holiday, in Lithuania. The first six months went by in a flash. This is why Ollonen finds that a full year was more useful than the six-month period he considered first, as he had more time to integrate into the destination country.

The working language was English. Towards the end, Ollonen also learned to speak some Lithuanian. The language barrier was not a problem for Ollonen, even though everyday chores, including shopping, were a bit of a challenge at the start.

“The actual employees of the youth club were always at hand to interpret if I needed to get something specific across”, Ollonen explains.

A common language is not always needed to work together. Most of the young people only spoke Lithuanian. Ollonen and the young people often communicated by gestures, and he says that not having a common language was something fun and exciting for the Lithuanian young people.

“I remember even teaching a card game to a Lithuanian young person who didn't speak a word in English. This person then taught it to others. We did not have a single word of a common language. We just communicated by nodding or shaking our heads”, Ollonen recalls.

International experience and independence

The best thing about volunteering abroad for Ollonen was growing more independent and having new international experiences. Various projects and working together with volunteers from other countries made his work more international.

“I met volunteers from other countries, including Germany, Italy and Spain. This gave me a broader understanding of work practices elsewhere in Europe.”

His brave decision to head off to Lithuania from Lapland was a big change in young Ollonen’s life. The experience taught him a lot, including taking responsibility for himself and others.

“It was the first time I moved away from home, to a distance of 1,400 kilometres all at once. It helped me become more independent.”

Ollonen, who is today employed in Kolpene, Rovaniemi, has continued doing similar work in a day care unit for people with intellectual disabilities. Tomorrow will be another working day. Perhaps somewhere in Telšiai, Lithuania, young people are still playing the card game they learned from a volunteer from Lapland, without having a single word of a common language.

Translated from Saara Lappalainen's original text

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

Hi, I am Kristina from Ukraine and I am 24 years old. Just recently I finished my volunteer year at a cultural and youth centre in Salzburg, Austria. Despite the coronavirus it was a great year, full of great experiences and incredible emotions, new meetings and learning, new cultures and languages. I have always loved children and teenagers, and they in turn were always drawn to me and happy to spend time with me. When I found out about the opportunity to volunteer at the youth centre, I didn't hesitate for a minute and applied. A whole year of working with teenagers is behind me and I loved what I was doing. I enjoyed spending time with the youth, telling them new and interesting things about our world, listening to music and discussing contemporary artists, playing sports and board games, running competitions and organising workshops, recording radio shows and video courses. At the youth centre, I gained a lot of experience in social work, and I was able to put the pedagogical knowledge I gained at university into practice.

Living in a German-speaking environment was a huge plus for my personal growth. In this way I could improve my German and learn a lot about the culture. Communicating in other foreign languages was also a kind of challenge for me, but I coped with it and improved my English and Russian. The project has given me many good friends, some of whom have become best friends, as well as good-natured companions, colleagues and acquaintances. Travelling is a separate page of my project. Yes, even in a pandemic, we found opportunities to travel safely and discover the incredible beauty of Austria.

The support of my relatives, colleagues, volunteer friends and the host organisation accompanied me throughout the year. I can say with certainty that I had no difficulties living and volunteering in Salzburg. I enjoyed the year and made the most of it. Now I am facing a new stage – getting a job, which was also influenced by my year of volunteering in Austria.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

Every challenge is a step forward for self-growth, but the fear of getting out of the box that I created myself, can generate non-existent problems. The story is about the ability to win a fight with yourself and learn to lead a group of 5 people in an Erasmus + Youth exchange program at the age of 18 to Cyprus, Protaras.

By being a part of the project, I was privileged to celebrate cultural, ethnic and religious diversity. Exchange experiences and ideas to find the truth and benefit the global community by developing multicultural youth video and magazine materials. Which helped improve both digital skills and knowledge of and around the labour market.

I was fortunate enough to be part of the community of Erasmus + and enjoy non-formal learning methods. Collaboration and the development of significant materials with wondrous, intelligent and creative young leaders from over 16 countries improved communication skills. Working with professionals in the field and gaining new knowledge from outstanding world changers, young people with a passion for not staying still and being teachable.  20-year-old me is certain that participating and moderating an exchange program has made up at least a small portion of my personality.

To constantly develop and seek answers, to promote solidarity between the next generations - that is our future!
 

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026