Authors

• Laitinen, Hanna (HUMAK University of Applied Sciences. RDI Centre)
• Taavetti, Riikka (Finnish National Youth Council Allianssi)

Keywords

organizations, participation, voluntary work, youth organizations, youth work

Abstract

The study charted the activities and work of national youth organisations in Finland. The study is part of the Vetovoima project conducted in 2014-2015 by the Finnish National Youth Council Allianssi, funded by Ministry of Education and Culture.

First, the respondents were asked about their organisation's objectives for youth work, for example, organising leisure time activities, influencing society and representing the interests of young people. The funding received from different sources, such as Ministry of Education and Culture, Finland's Slot Machine Association (RAY) and the EU, was examined. Some questions focused on the role of young people in the organisations. The number of new members, both in total and of those under the age of 29, was charted, and the most important reasons for young people to join the organisation (e.g. the will to support the organisation's work, membership benefits, will to do voluntary work in the organisation) were examined. Additionally, the number of young people under the age of 29 that participated in the organisation's youth work activities, volunteered to organise activities, and participated in the administration, decision-making and activity planning of the organisation was charted.

Next, questions regarding the organisation's staff and trainees were asked. The distribution of age, gender and belonging to a minority (e.g. religious or ethnic minority, being disabled) of young people participating in activities, administration, decision-making and volunteering in the organisation was also examined. Finally, the respondents were presented with some attitudinal statements concerning, for example, whether they thought their organisation needed more adult volunteers or the main goal of their organisation was activating young people.

Background variables included the respondent's status in their organisation, the organisation's structure and the level at which youth work and activities were mainly organised by the organisation (national, district etc.).