IrisHelsinki is the City of Helsinki’s rainbow youth centre, which organises youth evenings, small group activities and outings for LGBTQ+ young people aged 13–25 and their friends. Peers and youth workers with expertise in LGBTQ+ issues serve as instructors. IrisHelsinki works in close collaboration with third-sector LGBTQ+ organisations and carries out outreach work in educational institutions, with the aim of enhancing young people’s sense of safety and wellbeing within their own environments.
“IrisHelsinki is being recognised for its exceptionally impressive and successful work in safeguarding the wellbeing of young people. Over the last few years, the organisation has established itself and grown significantly, expanding its activities to meet the growing need among LGBTQ+ young people to find communities of their own. The activities have reached a vast number of young people in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, and rainbow youth have really made the facilities and evenings their own: the activities now reach around 40–50 young people each time an event is hosted. IrisHelsinki engages in vital work to reduce loneliness among young people and provides them with a space where everyone can be themselves,“ says Matti Numminen, Chairperson of the Helsinki Pride Community Board of Trustees.
“City of Helsinki Youth Services is proud to receive this award. This recognition is a wonderful testament to the persevering work of our youth instructors. It is important for young people to find places that support their growth and the development of their self-knowledge. We particularly want to emphasise the importance of equality and non-discrimination for everyone,” says Area Manager Ilmo Jokinen from the City of Helsinki Youth Services.
The other award winners are ice hockey player Ronja Savolainen and actor Niki Rautén.
City of Helsinki Youth Services would like to congratulate all the award-winning organisations on their important work. Together, we are changing the world.