In the spring, a completely new experiment was launched in Ilmajoki and Seinäjoki, when Liiveri offered associations in the area the opportunity to apply for funding to hire summer workers. In the end, 22 young people started in various development tasks. Both summer workers and employers were very satisfied with the results, and the experiment is hoped to become a permanent practice.
– This was a great opportunity for us. For several years now, we have been thinking about developing the activities of the campsite and its events, but we have not been able to give enough responsibility to the young people, the executive director of the Seinäjoki football club juniors Hannu Huila tells.
Hired for the summer Laura Hentilä Among other things, the employee came up with the idea for a new family event that immediately attracted 500 visitors to Törnävä. In addition, the employee developed a new product for the campsite: a children's birthday package.
Responsibility is rewarding
Many other clubs and events conceived by young people also brought excitement to the summer. A total of 250 children and parents participated in the Myyttimetsä adventures in the Ilmajoki villages alone.
– It feels really great to have been given responsibility and the opportunity to fulfill myself. This summer will bring a lot of benefits not only to myself but also to MLL, the team that worked together. Ronja Hautamäki and Annakaisa Lyyski evaluate.
Work and activities from your own village
One of the goals of the experiment was to create conditions for meaningful work and activities to be found close to young people. For example, in Nopankylä, only 16-year-olds Mette Lahti hosted the village hall courtyard. In addition to the five events, Lahti organized various sales events.
– The project exceeded its goal. The events enlivened the village hall courtyard, brought new customers to the summer kiosk and increased sales. Hopefully the experiment will continue next summer, the village club secretary Pauliina Hautamäki hopes.
Advice from Livier
Young people also ran a café in Ylistaro. In addition, they ran a children's club that met twice a week at the old school in Kitinoja.
– We learned a lot during the summer about how to hire young people and how to work with them. The training organized by Liiver on employer responsibilities was also very necessary, he sums up. Virpi Savunen from the village club.
Liiveri also directly advised associations on issues related to hiring. Based on the feedback collected, the threshold for hiring a summer worker was lowered, which was one of the goals of the experiment.
Cooperation made financing possible
A total of 70,000 euros were provided to support youth employment. The funds were raised thanks to a cooperation agreement between Liiver and the Kuortane Savings Bank Foundation.
– Our foundation, which distributes profit funds, wants the money collected from the region to also return to the region, for example through youth employment, member of the board of the Kuortane Savings Bank Foundation Jaana Honey Grove-Mäntypuro tells.
If it is decided to continue the experiment, associations will be able to apply for summer work grants again next spring.
- In August, Liiveri visited each of the 12 associations to learn about the youth work days. The result was video, which proves that young workers are a big deal.