4.8 Current debates and reforms
On this page
On this page
Forthcoming policy developments
’Into’ – the Association for Outreach Youth Work and Workshop Activities has, like many other active organisations working with youth, published its Parliament Programme Goals for the years 2024-2027 following parliament elections held in April 2023. ‘Into’ titled its proposal as the following: ’Finland, in which no-one needs to cope alone’ (available in Finnish). It lists some of the following demands: higher level of funding for outreach youth work, accumulation of funding level of workshop activities to resonate with the actual needs, renewing the way workshop activities are offered and tailored, comprehensive development of the service field (including for example health services) for young people needing support.
Ongoing debates
What is open youth work for over 16 years old and what are their needs? This has been pondered upon in the +16 network of youth workers of the Centre of Expertise for Municipal Youth Work Kanuuna. Many from that age group move out for the first time to live on their own. Moving to one’s own household happens in Finland relatively early because of the long distances, sparse population, and the relatively thin network of educational institutions in many areas. Based on that need, Kanuuna created Young people getting independent online pages. Three important messages are included: moving out on your own isn’t just about having a flat and a place to study, there are many other kinds of needs to be discussed, such as one’s feelings, well-being, financial situation, and free-time activities. A youth worker can step in as a reliable adult discussion partner. And in some cases, in which a youth worker needs more knowledge, methods or information about supportive services, material has now been created to support them in their work.