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A Kaikukortti pilot project was launched in early 2025 in Vantaa and Kerava. The Kaikukortti allows clients of social, health, or wellbeing services who are in financially difficult situations to access cultural and sports events free of charge.
Jari Manninen has used the Kaikukortti and recommends trying it to anyone eligible to receive one.
The Kaikukortti is a personal card that enables individuals in financially tight situations to participate in cultural and sports events for free. It is available to people over the age of 16 who are clients of social and health services or services promoting wellbeing and health.
Culture and the arts are known to promote both physical and mental health and to foster a sense of community. For this reason, the Kaikukortti can offer empowering experiences to people who might otherwise be excluded from wellbeing-enhancing activities due to lack of funds.
“Music is a source of strength for me, and thanks to the Kaikukortti, I’ve been able to attend events I otherwise couldn’t afford,” says 24-year-old Jari Manninen.
Jari has been using the Kaikukortti since 2023, when he first heard about it through the city’s outreach youth work. He has used the card extensively, visiting places like the Heureka Science Centre in Vantaa, Vapriikki in Tampere, Amos Rex in Helsinki, and Krapi´s Paja in Tuusula.
Music is a major source of energy for Jari, and he especially remembers the park concerts at Krapi´s Paja fondly. He hopes that in the future, larger and more well-known music festivals will also be included in the Kaikukortti program.
For Jari, who is unemployed, the Kaikukortti has significantly improved his wellbeing, especially during the summer, by enabling him to attend concerts. He recommends the card to anyone who is eligible and concerned about making ends meet.
The Kaikukortti can also help strengthen social connections. Jari is planning to create a WhatsApp group for his neighborhood and friends to share tips about interesting Kaikukortti events and to invite others to join.
“I recommend the Kaikukortti if you want to get excited about something new,” encourages Jari Manninen.
“The Kaikukortti has been a highly anticipated and welcomed opportunity,” says Niina Nääppä, lead instructor for social rehabilitation in Wellbeing services county of Vantaa and Kerava.
According to Nääppä, the distribution of the card has gone smoothly, and clients have been delighted to receive it.
“The opportunity to participate strengthens our clients’ cultural wellbeing, sense of inclusion, and social functioning.”
Hanna Tuomisto, lead social worker for homelessness services in Wellbeing services county of Vantaa and Kerava, has also received positive feedback about the Kaikukortti.
“Our clients have praised how well the Kaikukortti works for cultural activities. Thanks to it, they can take part in events they would otherwise miss out on.”
Clients in wellbeing services county hope that more local organizations and services in Vantaa and Kerava will join the Kaikukortti network. However, the card can also be used elsewhere in Finland, which already benefits local cardholders.
In Kerava, Kaikukortti cards have been distributed since the beginning of the year. In addition to wellbeing services county, city employees – such as those in outreach youth work and immigrant services – have also distributed the cards to their clients. So far, 195 cards have been handed out.
“Low-threshold opportunities to participate in cultural activities promote the wellbeing of our residents. We are piloting the use of the card this year and will evaluate the success of the trial in the autumn. The Kaikukortti can be used, for example, to attend certain courses at Keravan Opisto. A few Kaikukortti users have participated in courses this spring,” says Anne Hosio-Paloposki, principal of Keravan Opisto and head of cultural services.
This text has been translated by artificial intelligence.