Welcome to the website of Finnish youth societies!

Youth societies are nonpolitical organisations that provide cultural and other activities for young people. There are nearly 900 local youth societies all over the country, with over 80,000 individual members. Half of the members are under 29, and about 22,000 are under 16. The societies run a total of 600 youth clubs providing a wide range of leisure and community activities.

The societies organise activities according to the needs and wishes of their members. The most popular activities are sports, theatre and folk dance, along with other communal dancing. The societies are also active in developing their local community and international relations. 

Youth societies are supported by the Finnish Youth Association with its 18 district organisations, as well as the Kaleva Youth Association and its district organisations.

Finnish Youth Association is o­ne of the oldest youth organizations in Finland, it was established already in 1897. Within the districts of its 17 central societies there are altogether over 900 Youth Societies and over 80.000  individual members. The association has its own publication called Nuorisoseuralehti.

CULTURAL EVENTS AND HOBBIES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH

The Kaleva Youth Association is politically independent educational and cultural organization for children under 16 years of age. It aims at promoting the balanced physical and mental development of children's personality by organising clubs, camps and other hobbies. Important factors are children’s own activity and interaction between youth and adults.

Members:
Approximately 22 000 under 16 year-old boys and girls participate in the Association’s activities. 8 000 adults and adolescents are involved in organizing club activities.

Background:
The Kaleva Youth Association was founded 1960. It is part of the Finnish Youth Society movement. The association cooperates with other Finnish youth organisations in different projects for children’s welfare.

YOUTH CLUBS

The Kaleva Youth Association has 18 district organizations and activities locally at c. 1 000 Youth Clubs around Finland. Club activities include e.g. folk dancing, music, theatre, sports, crafts and arts.

TRAINING

The Kaleva Youth Association organizes training for instructors and produces programmes and materials to support club activities.

INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIONS

The Kaleva Youth Association has active relations with many organizations and festivals in Europe. The association has frequent exchanges for children’s camp and cultural groups.

The Kaleva Youth Association is a member of these international networks:
Nordlek: A Nordic umbrella organisation of folk dance and folk music organisations
CIOFF: Conseil International des Organisations de Festivals de Folklore et d’Arts Traditionelles - International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Art
FIEEA: Une Fédération Internationale pour les Échanges Éducatifs d'Enfants et d'Adolescents - International Federation for Educational Exchanges of Children and Teenagers.

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

The Kaleva Youth Association organizes:

Lasten Kalenat
International Cultural Event for Children, in Lappeeranta every second year

Barnlek 2005
Folklore Festival of Nordic Children is hosted by Kaleva Youth Association in Lappeenranta 29.6.–3.7.2005. 2 500 participants are expected, half of them from Finland and half from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and Shetland. The programme consists in folkdance, music, theatre, workshops, and excursions.

For further information about Kaleva Youth Association contact:
cultural producer Tiina Laukkanen, tel. + 358 9 5840 6230,
e-mail tiina.laukkanen(a)kalevannuoret.fi

Photo by Juha Tyyskä:
Finnish children's folk dance group with international guests at Lasten Kalenat 2003