Our goal is to lower barriers to participation for different population groups. At the same time, we prevent segregation in physical activity and sport by offering diverse hobby groups for children and young people from different linguistic backgrounds, among others.
Join our activities
Find out about local groups and sign up:
Helsinki
Tampere
Turku
Heinola
What kinds of groups do we offer?
Our local organisations in four cities offer exercise groups that play basketball, football, futsal, badminton, and other sports. Check out the exercise options in the different cities above.
Not everyone has equal opportunities to exercise
According to the LIITU study, which surveys the exercise habits of children and young people, inequality in exercise has increased in recent years. In particular, children and young people with a newcomer background, girls, and those from low-income families are less active than others. This inequality between population groups negatively affects people’s well-being and their experiences of inclusion and integration.
There are numerous reasons for segregation in physical activity and sports. In most cases, the problem is not a lack of opportunities, as many organisations provide opportunities for physical activity and sports. However, people who do not engage in physical activity and sports are often unaware of the activities these organisations offer. A lack of knowledge about participation opportunities and the nature of the activities can also give rise to prejudice and discourage people from taking up a hobby.
Our goal is to provide equal opportunities for physical activity
The most important thing is to ensure that information about recreational opportunities reaches children and young people who do not get much exercise, as well as their parents. Physical activity and sports instruction should also be culturally sensitive, and instructors should have the skills to interact with participants from different backgrounds.
The aim of the project is to develop an operating model that reduces barriers to participation for different population groups and prevents inequality in physical activity and sport. The project also strengthens the equality and non-discrimination skills of activity providers through training and support materials. Our vision for the future is a permanent change in operating culture, where equality and diversity are a natural part of physical activity and sport.
How the project is progressing
The YMCA Sport MoveMakers operating model is being developed in four locations (Helsinki, Tampere, Turku, and Heinola) through five steps.
- New hobby groups are being set up for children and young people from different backgrounds who do not get much exercise.
- Workshops will be organised for parents and young volunteers to share information on Finnish organisational activities.
- YMCA Sport MoveMakers groups will be established to monitor the impact of the activities and to promote awareness of equality.
- Barriers to participation and cultural differences will be reduced by organising low-threshold exercise trials, to which parents will be invited.
- A YMCA Sport MoveMakers handbook will be produced to present the operating model we have developed.
Official name: YMCA Sport MoveMakers project
Duration: September 1, 2025–August 31, 2027
Person in charge: Risto Koikkalainen
Responsible body: YMCA Finland Sports Association
Partners: Helsinki YMCA, Turku YMCA, YMCA Tampere, YMCA Heinola
Funding: Ministry of Education and Culture
Contact us
Risto Koikkalainen
Physical Education Director
The Sport Alliance of YMCAs in Finland
+358 45 2748 300
risto.koikkalainen@ymca.fi
