Youth Services Initiatives and Projects

The City of Porvoo’s “Integration through Hobbies” project helps children and young people with immigrant backgrounds get involved in recreational activities in Porvoo and introduces them to various leisure opportunities. All families who have moved to Finland, their children, and young people up to age 29 are welcome to participate in the program.

The project supervisor may, as needed, for example,

• provides information about various recreational activities in Porvoo
• helps you get in touch with the organizers of the activity
• go with a family member or a young person to try out a hobby
• help with practical matters related to getting started with a hobby, such as filling out a registration form
• help and support participants in understanding the group’s practices and in becoming engaged in the activity

The goal is to enhance comfort, a sense of community, and experiences of inclusion during the school day. Recess activities are organized based on the students’ wishes, such as:

• Joint activities for the entire school
• quiet rooms and opportunities to rest
• safe opportunities for conversation and interaction with an adult

Recess activities are intended for students in grades 7–9 at the following schools:

• Lyceiparken skola
• Pääskytie koulu
• Linnajoen koulu
• Albert Edelfeltin koulu
• Strömborgska skolan

The goal of the project is to reach children and young people who do not yet have a leisure activity. The goal is to provide positive experiences, strengthen a sense of community through small-group activities, and help them discover their own interests and find a hobby they enjoy.

The program is aimed at students in grades 3 through 6 at the following schools:

• Albert Edelfeltin koulu
• Keskuskoulu
• Peipon koulu
• Kevätkumpu koulu
• Vårberga skola

This program also makes it possible to organize small groups for middle school-aged youth, for example, as an after-school activity.

For example, an instructor can:

• organize small-group activities that introduce participants to various hobbies
• come with you to check out the hobby
• help you get started with your hobby
• help you find a hobby that suits you

Club activities are free of charge and are held on school grounds immediately after school.

Porvoo Youth Services is developing moped-related activities in collaboration with young people and volunteers. The project is being carried out in cooperation with the Finnish Parish of Porvoo and the Motorcycle Workshop at the Children and Youth Center. The goal is to launch year-round moped workshop activities, organize legal riding and moped events, and prepare a joint traffic safety project for Eastern Uusimaa. 

The program supports young people in their moped hobby, strengthens their road safety skills, and increases opportunities for them to engage in independent activities and participate in the community. The main objectives of the project are: 

• Strengthening Youth Agency and Supporting Youth Activities 
• Promoting Traffic Safety   
• A decrease in disruptive behavior and related issues associated with moped use 
• Highlighting the positive aspects of moped riding and influencing attitudes 
• Providing Substance-Free Leisure Activities and a Community

The Mopopaja program provides young people with a space and the tools they need to maintain and customize their vehicles and learn together. The program includes: 

• Open moped workshop for all young people over the age of 13 who are interested in mopeds and engines  
• Group Activities 
• Events organized in collaboration with young people  
• Internships and work experience opportunities for young people

The purpose of events planned and carried out with young people is to create safer alternatives to illegal moped gatherings, strengthen young people’s skills in organizing events and collaborating, and provide them with the opportunity to have a say and create activities for other young people.  

Traffic safety is a cross-cutting theme in all activities. The project will organize themed events, such as the “Brakes in Order” and “Lights in Order” campaigns, and will develop a regional road safety project in collaboration with neighboring municipalities and expert organizations. 

Funding for the project is sought annually from the Regional State Administrative Agency for Southern Finland (ESAVI).