Participation begins with connection.
WHAT WE DO
Main activities
Mukana Association is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting young people's participation, well-being, and engagement with education. We build bridges between schools, youth work, families, organisations, and other stakeholders because we believe that the best solutions are created through collaboration and strong communities.
We organise training courses, workshops, clubs, events, and international youth exchanges, while also developing practical resources for professionals in education and youth work. Our work is based on participatory and game-based methods, experiential learning, and bold multidisciplinary collaboration.
Our goal is to create communities where every young person feels that they belong, discovers their strengths, and has the confidence to participate. We want to provide young people with opportunities to grow into active, resilient, and engaged members of society—both locally and internationally.
Participation Workshops for Young People
Mukana's Participation Workshops provide young people with a safe, inclusive, and inspiring environment where they can develop collaboration and communication skills while discovering their own strengths. In our workshops, participation is not just a topic of discussion—it is something that is experienced, practised, and built together.
The aim of the workshops is not only to strengthen participation within the group but also to encourage young people to become active contributors in their own communities. Participants have the opportunity to design and carry out small projects and initiatives that promote community spirit, well-being, and participation in their schools, neighbourhoods, and local communities.
International activities
Mukana's international activities broaden young people's perspectives, promote intercultural understanding, and strengthen their sense of participation as active members of the European community. A key part of our international work is the organisation of Erasmus+ Youth Exchanges.
Through youth exchanges and club-based international activities, young people are encouraged to step outside their comfort zones in a safe and supportive environment. International encounters help build self-confidence, independence, communication skills, and belief in one's own abilities. They also inspire young people to appreciate diversity, develop a global outlook, and recognise that they can make a positive difference in their local communities and beyond.
Training and Professional Development
Mukana ry offers practical, hands-on training for professionals working in education, youth work, and the wider field of child and youth development. Our goal is to strengthen young people's well-being, enhance their engagement with education, prevent social exclusion, and provide practical tools for everyday encounters and support.
Our training is built on extensive experience in teaching, youth work, international cooperation, and participatory learning methods. We go beyond traditional lectures by creating interactive learning experiences where participants actively explore new methods, exchange ideas and experiences, and develop practical solutions they can immediately apply in their own work.
Resource Library
Mukana's Resource Library offers free, practical resources to support young people, families, and professionals working with youth. The materials provide ideas, tools, and activities for strengthening participation, community spirit, engagement with education, well-being, and communication skills.
Our goal is to share effective methods openly so that more and more young people can experience a genuine sense of belonging and inclusion.
About us
Mukana Association was founded in the summer of 2026 in Hämeenkyrö, Finland, inspired by the unique multidisciplinary environment of Prikka Youth Centre. Every day, Prikka brings together professionals from different sectors who work with young people under one roof: teachers and instructors from flexible basic education (JOPO), municipal youth workers, outreach youth workers, Startti coaching professionals, and specialists from the One-Stop Guidance Centre (Ohjaamo).
Over the years, Prikka has taught us the value of sharing knowledge, crossing professional boundaries, and making the most of the expertise that surrounds us. It has shown us that by working together, being flexible, and supporting one another beyond traditional job descriptions, it is possible to build a community where both young people and adults can thrive.