The young man visited several different destinations during the summer, e.g. on dairy farms. Photo: Sanna-Kaisa Nokso
In the summer of 2022, the theme project "Climate wise - young people as developers" was implemented in the Liiver region, during which four associations hired young people for various development tasks. The background of the project was the changes caused by climate change and the need for measures to curb climate change. The young people have ideas that the project made it possible to put into practice.
With the help of the project, local communities' opportunities to respond to the challenges brought by climate change were improved, and at the same time it was possible to attract associations to try hiring a young employee. Associations were able to utilize fresh views, for example, in the development of villages or hobby opportunities. The communities have recognized the need to think about their own activities and find new, climate-wise solutions, but the volunteers' resources are not necessarily enough to introduce new practices.
A young message for young people
Sanna-Kaisa Nokso worked at Jalasjärvi 4H during the summer of 2022. Nokso's tasks included communicating on social media about the challenges brought by climate change and presenting local food production and producers in Jalasjärvi, recycling and repair opportunities, as well as renewable energy, and especially encouraging young people to use them. Nokso mainly made videos related to the topic, but also some photo publications. At the end of the project, a local food event was organized, in connection with which an exhibition related to local food was held. The purpose was to make local food production more familiar in an approachable way.
- I was given free rein to create content and in the end I always approved the content before publication by still others. I personally liked the free way of working, although the responsibility of organizing the event was a bit stressful at times, says Nokso.
According to Nokso, the aim was to make the communication interesting to young people by making the publications concise. In the videos, we tried to pick up interesting facts that not everyone necessarily knew and avoided too many obvious things.
- I tried to keep the content easily accessible, so that young people don't get the feeling that they are being "preached" about things. And I always tried to photograph as many animals related to the subject as possible, because they seemed to be particularly interesting.
- The best thing about the summer and work was the meetings with related entrepreneurs, creating and editing content, and the freedom to realize yourself, says Nokso.
The climate-themed event was held at the newly opened Seinäjoki central market pavilion. Photo: Alexandra Mäenpää
The young person developed methods of operation
For the Seinäjoki live music association, a young employee was hired for the Luontokorjaamo project for the summer of 2022 to develop and reflect on the practical level of the association's operating models in a more ecologically sustainable direction.
Karoliina Mäenpää worked during the summer in Selmu as a climate-wise summer producer. During the summer, Mäenpää was, among other things, creating the Nature Relationship Development program for work groups, which can later be used, for example, in getting to know the work and in rehabilitative work activities. For the program, Mäenpää gathered various practical arts to support the strengthening of the relationship with nature. In addition, Mäenpää evaluated Selmu's operating methods and looked for development targets for an ecological operating method. Mäenpää was also calculating the carbon footprint of Toritorstai events.
- The summer has gone really well, it's been a wonderful and great workplace. Even though the amount of work sounds like a lot, it has remained well within the glove, says Mäenpää.
Mäenpää's work also included producing a climate-related market event. The event took place at the newly opened Seinäjoki central market pavilion. The program included a panel discussion, climate-related bingo and a Samba Tropical dance performance.
- The event went well, the panel discussion was, at least in the undersigned's opinion and according to the comments of a couple of bystanders, interesting, dealing with important topics and thought-provoking. There was also a nice crowd and the weather cooperated!
As a young person, Mäenpää feels that issues related to climate change are topical for him and believes that paying attention to the topic through summer work will also affect his own choices in the future.
- It's cool that you can combine values and topics that are important to you at work.