NuoRTO – Nuorille Resilienssiä, Toimijuutta ja Osallisuutta
The NuoRTO project strengthens the competencies of those working in children’s and young people’s leisure and hobby activities and develops training and collaboration models. The aim is to increase equal opportunities for participation and prevent drop-out from hobbies.
Funders
Project information
Implementation time
31.8.2024 – 30.3.2027
Funder
ESR+ 2021-2027
Research programme
Project type
Themes
Project Manager
Reetta Nick, Heidi Bucht
Project Background
Not all children and young people have equal opportunities to participate in hobby and leisure activities, even though such activities support wellbeing and provide meaningful non-formal learning environments. Inequality in participation is increased by factors such as rising costs, skill-based selection, challenges related to commitment, and the varying competence of instructors.
The NuoRTO project addresses this need by strengthening the competencies of professionals, volunteers, and peer experts working in children’s and young people’s leisure and hobby activities. The project co-develops a complementary training programme and promotes multidisciplinary collaboration and a co-working model.
Project Objectives
- Build a comprehensive understanding of resilience-enhancing recreational and leisure activities for children and young people, as well as skill needs and effective practices within the field.
- Offer nationwide skill-building training by developing these collaboratively, guided by the needs and preferences of the target group.
- Improve leaders’ ability to identify and respond to the special needs of children, young people, and families requiring support.
- Strengthen multidisciplinary cooperation between youth and leisure activity providers by offering networking opportunities and increasing awareness of the sector.
- Develop cooperative working methods between experiential experts and professionals.
- Increase the inclusion, equity, and active agency of children and youth in leisure and youth activities.
- Reduce dropout rates among children and youth in recreational activities.
Project Activities
Needs assessment on children’s and young people’s leisure activities
The NuoRTO project started in September 2024 with a preliminary study on children’s and young people’s leisure and hobby activities. The study explored the needs and experiences of children, young people, and activity leaders.
Based on these insights, the project examines the role of hobbies, reasons for dropping out, and the potential of peer support. The data was collected through previous research as well as surveys and workshops.
Read the results of the preliminary study
You can still contribute to the development of the project by sharing your experiences.
Please note: the survey is currently available in Finnish only.
Participate in the survey
Co-development of continuing education and training
Based on the preliminary study and co-creation workshops conducted in the early phase of the project, a training programme will be developed to strengthen the competencies of professionals, peer experts, and volunteers, as well as to support their communities. The training is designed in collaboration with young people and professionals, and some modules are also suitable for young people interested in becoming peer experts.
The training will be piloted in various formats, including face-to-face, online, and intensive courses, to meet the diverse needs of different target groups. It provides up-to-date information and practical tools to deepen theoretical, methodological, and practical competencies.
The training themes will be further specified during the project, and may include, for example:
- Adventure and outdoor education
- Experiential learning
- Culturally and gender-sensitive guidance
- Creative methods
- Guidance and interaction skills
- Family-oriented guidance
- Supporting minority and special groups
- A co-working model for collaboration between peer experts and professionals
If you or your organisation are particularly interested in a specific training theme, please contact: nuorto@laurea.fi
Promoting multidisciplinary collaboration
The NuoRTO project strengthens multidisciplinary and cross-sector collaboration between different actors. The aim is to create sustainable cooperation structures and enhance the exchange of knowledge between stakeholders. The project promotes collaboration through the following measures:
Co-working model in leisure activities – The project pilots a co-working model in which peer experts and professionals work together with children, young people, and their families. This approach helps identify and respond to the specific needs of young people, while strengthening dialogue and knowledge sharing between different actors. The model is co-developed in workshops with stakeholders and tested in regional pilots.
Networking – The project fosters collaboration between the public sector, non-profit organisations, and educational institutions. Networking is supported through regional meetings where different actors can share experiences and further develop cooperation.
Communication and dissemination – Publications, training materials, seminars, webinars, and other events that support multidisciplinary learning and knowledge sharing. The project also develops communication materials to help stakeholders understand the importance and practical applications of multidisciplinary collaboration.
Together with partners, the project develops operating models that promote equality and the consideration of diversity in children’s and young people’s leisure activities.
Meaningful Hobby Participation Assessment Tool
We are developing a Meaningful Hobby Participation Assessment Tool based on the experiences of young people and families, as well as feedback collected from the training activities. The tool is co-created in collaboration with stakeholders, and 3–6 youth service providers will participate in its pilot phase. The project also collaborates with other national initiatives.
Project channels
Results and Outputs
- Publication summarizing the preliminary findings, including previous research and key results from information-gathering workshops.
- A skill-building training package for professionals in youth leisure activities (12–18 pilot trainings), published as open-access educational materials.
- Piloting and modeling of the partnership model.
- An assessment tool for meaningful recreational activities, for use by municipalities, wellbeing services, and third-sector organizations.
Sustainable development goals
Project Implementers
Project Publications
Blogs and Articles
NuoRTO-hankkeen esiselvityksen tuloksia
Kirjoittajat: Johanna Kurki, Maara Kosonen, Heidi Bucht, Säde Siljamo, Nina Jääskeläinen, Timo Ruuhijärvi, Anu Hagman ja Taru Lyytinen.
Julkaistu: 2.12.2025, päivitetty 28.1.2026, PDF
Kehittämistyön mysteerit ratkeavat salapoliisin elkein
Kirjoittajat: Maara Kosonen, kasvatus- ja ohjausalan opettaja, hankevastaava, STEP-koulutus; Taru Lyytinen, Projektivastaava, Outward Bound Finland Ry
Julkaistu: 21.10.2025, Lasten, nuorten ja perheiden osallisuuden koordinaatio blogi
Jos hanke olisi kulkuneuvo ja muita vertauskuvia
Kirjoittaja: Anu Hagman, lehtori, Laurea-ammattikrokeakoulu
Julkaistu: 15.9.2025, Laurea Journal
NuoRTO-hankkeen esiselvitys viitoittaa kohti yhdenvertaisempaa harrastamista
Kirjoittajat: Johanna Kurki, projektityöntekijä, Laurea-ammattikorkeakoulu; Säde Siljamo, lehtori, Laurea-ammattikorkeakoulu; Nina Jääskeläinen, sosionomiopiskelija ja kokemusasiantuntija
Julkaistu: 2.6.2025, Laurea Journal
Kirjoittaja: Säde Siljamo, lehtori, Laurea-ammattikorkeakoulu
Julkaistu: 9.4.2025, Laurea Journal
Kirjoittajat: Säde Siljamo, lehtori, Laurea-ammattikorkeakoulu; Johanna Kurki, projektityöntekijä, Laurea-ammattikorkeakoulu; Nina Jääskeläinen, sosionomiopiskelija ja kokemusasiantuntija
Julkaistu: 10.3.2025, Laurea Journal
Antakaa mulle mahdollisuus unelmoida
Kirjoittaja: Maara Kosonen, kasvatus- ja ohjausalan opettaja, hankevastaava, STEP-koulutus
Julkaistu: 14.2.2025, STEPblogi
Rahat eivät vaan riitä kaikkeen
Kirjoittaja: Maara Kosonen, kasvatus- ja ohjausalan opettaja, hankevastaava, STEP-koulutus
Julkaistu: 16.12.2024, STEPblogi
Kuulen ja unohdan. Näen ja muistan. Teen ja ymmärrän.
Kirjoittaja: Maara Kosonen, kasvatus- ja ohjausalan opettaja, hankevastaava, STEP-koulutus
Julkaistu: 17.11.2024, STEPblogi
Kirjoittaja: Maara Kosonen, kasvatus- ja ohjausalan opettaja, hankevastaava, STEP-koulutus
Julkaistu: 28.10.2024, STEPblogi
Contacts
-
Reetta Nick
Specialist
reetta.nick@laurea.fi
-
Säde Siljamo
Senior Lecturer
sade.siljamo@laurea.fi
+358 50 576 6194
-
Anu Hagman
Senior Lecturer
anu.hagman@laurea.fi
+358 40 635 3244
-
Johanna Kurki
Project Officer
johanna.kurki@laurea.fi
+358 46 922 2356
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