HOPE – Well-being, Inclusion, and Pathways to Work

Empowerment strengthens belief in the future 

The HOPE project aims to promote the employment opportunities of young people aged 16–29 who are not in employment or education, particularly women and members of gender minorities, through group activities. Young people interested in digital culture can participate in guided activities where they learn new skills and gain experiences of inclusion, self-efficacy, and peer support.

The HOPE project will be implemented in 2024–2027 in the South Karelia and Uusimaa regions and online. The project locations are Hyvinkää, Imatra, Järvenpää, and Lappeenranta. The project’s digital hobby groups will start in spring 2025. Online groups will be organized in collaboration with Seta ry’s online youth center Loiste.

It is important to find new ways and models of action to support unemployed and uneducated young people, as well as those who are lonely. Promoting the well-being and inclusion of young people is one of the key issues for our society in terms of a sustainable future.

Humak is primarily responsible for creating the HOPE model. Humak organizes group activities in Uusimaa and is responsible for evaluating the impact of the project and data collection processes in both project areas, as well as participating in communication and recruitment in its own area. Humak brings a (digital) youth work perspective to the group activities, as well as expertise in strengthening participation through youth-oriented methods.

The project is being implemented in collaboration with the youth services departments of the cities of Hyvinkää, Imatra, Järvenpää, and Lappeenranta. Other partners include the South Karelia Employment Area, Hyria, Into -etsivä nuorisotyö ja työpajatoiminta ry (Into Outreach Youth Work and Workshop Activities Association), Kulttuuripaja Saimaa (Saimaa Cultural Workshop), Seta ry (Seta Association), and Työtaito ry (Work Skills Association).

Project objectives 

1. To strengthen the employment prospects of young people in NEET situations, especially women and members of gender minorities, through group-based digital hobby activities that promote well-being and inclusion.

2. To inspire participants to pursue careers in technology, IT, and digital fields, among others. 70% of participants have applied for jobs, 5% have found employment, and 14% are in education.

3. Building the HOPE path: creating a model for group activities that can be used to strengthen well-being and inclusion in different areas and by different actors in the future.

Core themes: self-efficacy, mental well-being, empowerment, personal skills, combating loneliness, and preventing bullying.