Finland: Siltanews – News Desk
Finland’s regional state administrative agencies have allocated more than €28 million in government funding to youth outreach and workshop programs aimed at supporting vulnerable young people and preventing social exclusion.
The funding, distributed in February and March 2025, will reach 239 youth outreach services and 208 youth workshops across the country.
The grants cover staffing costs for youth workers and trainers, as well as operational expenses for workshops.
Each year, these initiatives help over 33,000 young people. Youth outreach services support 15–28-year-olds by connecting them with essential public services, education, or employment pathways. Participation is voluntary and based on cooperation between the youth and outreach workers.
Workshops offer hands-on training and personal guidance to improve life skills and promote independence and societal participation. Young people engage in work-based activities tailored to their individual capabilities, often helping them reorient towards education or the labour market.
“Most young people are doing well, but the number of those needing special support continues to grow,” said Jukka Moilanen, senior inspector at the Regional State Administrative Agency for Western and Inland Finland. “Professionals in youth work reach more than 30,000 young people every year. Their impact is socially significant.”
The outreach services reach over 20,000 young people annually who are not currently accessing public services. More than 12,000 young people take part in the workshop programs each year.