The ongoing Hyvän arjen rakentajat programme has operated in Vantaa’s Havukoski for two years, building a lively and communal district with its residents. It has organised activities and services for children, families, young people and the elderly in the area within its framework.
– The results have been so promising that the Foundation has decided to expand the programme, choosing Helsinki as a partner, says Päivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation's representative Ulla Nord.
This is a unique partnership between the public and third sector. In the programme, the Päivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation, the City of Helsinki, third sector organisations and other partners of the foundation are building a new way to support residents.
The Mayor of Helsinki emphasises the importance of cooperation.
– Engaging with the Sohlberg Foundation is a fantastic opportunity for Helsinki! Our goal is to build communal districts together with residents so that schools, youth work and city services work closely with each other and with organisations. Measuring the effectiveness of the programme and its actions is an essential part of this multi-year cooperation, says Mayor Juhana Vartiainen.
Programme to be introduced in Malmi and Tapulikaupunki
In the discussions between Päivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation and the City of Helsinki, the aim was to find areas with a need for services. Malmi and Tapulinkaupunki were selected as new areas for the programme on the proposal of the City of Helsinki.
– Basic education and youth work are key services in the lives of children and young people, and we are looking for new ways to develop them together. We are very committed to this long-term cooperation, says Head of Basic Education Ville Raatikainen.
According to Raatikainen, the areas were selected holistically with the needs of the areas in mind. That these areas had not seen these types of activities before was also a factor.
– In recent years, the City of Helsinki has focused significantly on youth work and recruited many new youth instructors. We definitely need to work with the third sector, as they can introduce expertise and operating models that the city itself may not yet have, says Deputy Mayor Paavo Arhinmäki.
Funding to be finalised once the districts’ needs are known
– I think that it is highly significant to start this cooperation with the Sohlberg Foundation. During the programme, work to increase the well-being of children, young people and families in these districts will definitely see a boost. It is especially important that the work is carried out together with the city, organisations and districts’ residents. This boosts not only inclusiveness, but also the communal spirit, says Deputy Mayor Johanna Laisaari.
In the spring of 2025, Päivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation and the City of Helsinki will carry out a service design process in which they will consider how to create as much well-being as possible for the residents of Malmi and Tapulikaupunki. The residents of the districts will be included in these discussions in workshops that take place during the spring.
– In the previous programme in Vantaa’s Havukoski, we provided people with hobbies, work opportunities and all kinds of help for mental well-being, among other things. We can take advantage of the experience, keeping in mind that different areas can have very different needs, says Ulla Nord, representative of the Päivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation.
Once the needs and wishes of the residents of Malmi and Tapulikaupunki are known, negotiations with third sector organisations will begin. The organisations will implement the services and activities in the districts.
Decisions on which organisations are responsible for implementing the services will be made in autumn 2025, and the Päivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation will make a decision on the amount of funding for the next three years.
