Centred around young people

A network of ten national Youth Centres has been established in Finland by the Ministry of Education. Building the Youth Centres and organizing their activities are subsidized by the State for the benefit of young people through reduced prizes and high-quality services. The centres have been founded during the last two decades. The first centres were founded at the beginning of the 1980s when altogether five centres were opened. The most recent Youth Centre, Anjala, was founded in Anjanlankoski in 2000. The nine other centres include Youth Centre Ahtela in Sauvo, Youth Centre Hyvärilä in Nurmes, Youth Centre Marttinen in Virrat, Youth Centre Metsäkartano in Rautavaara, Youth Centre Oivanki in Kuusamo, Youth Centre Piispala in Kannonkoski, Youth Centre Syöte in Pudasjärvi, Youth Centre Vasatokka in Inari and Youth Centre Villa Elba in Kokkola (www.suomennuorisokeskukset.fi).

The main purpose of these national Youth Centres is to support the work of teachers and trainers and to be of service to national and international youth activities. The centres offer a safe operational environment to children, young people, youth organisations and youth groups. With their locations extending all over the nation and with their expertise and versatile services the Youth Centres can offer their support to the guests not only on ordinary days but also in situations which attest societal change. The centres are a significant part of the youth activity network in Finland.