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

1.9.2024 – 31.3.2027

Funder

ESR+ 2021-2027

Research programme

Project type

National RD

Themes

Pedagogy and Co-creation

Project Manager

Reetta Nick

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. Learn more and sign up for the autumn 2026 “Meaningful Leisure Activities” training tour (in Finnish).
Evaluation Guide for Meaningful Leisure Activities for municipalities, wellbeing services counties and NGOs. The guide provides practical tools for developing and evaluating leisure and hobby activities from the perspective of children and young people. It supports organisations in strengthening experiences of competence, belonging and participation in leisure activities. Read the guide (available in Finnish only): Arvioi ja vahvista harrastamisen merkityksellisyyttä. Opas lasten ja nuorten harrastustoiminnan järjestäjille

Sustainable development goals

Project Publications

Blogs and Articles

LANUPE Vaikuttavia kohtaamisia -podcast: 2. jakso: Merkityksellinen ja yhdenvertainen harrastaminen

Tekijät: Efe Evwarayen, Ronja Hampf, Maara Kosonen ja Faruk Nazeri.
Julkaistu: 10.9.2026, Lasten, nuorten ja perheiden osallisuuden koordinaatio (ESR+)

Arvioi ja vahvista harrastamisen merkityksellisyyttä. Opas lasten ja nuorten harrastustoiminnan järjestäjille

Authors: Anu Hagman, Johanna Kurki, Maara Kosonen, Reetta Nick, Säde Siljamo & Taru Lyytinen
Published: 28.8.2026, Theseus

Osaanko, kelpaanko, saanko valita? Merkityksellisen harrastamisen kysymyksiä

Authors: Säde Siljamo, Lecturer, Laurea University of Applied Sciences
Published: 25.8.2026, Laurea Journal

Kun 130 kokemusta kudottiin yhteen, syntyi tarina merkityksellisestä harrastamisesta

Authors: Maara Kosonen, Education and guidance teacher, project manager, STEP-koulutus & Taru Lyytinen, Project coordinator, Outward Bound Finland Ry
Published: 21.8.2026, STEPblogi

Podcast: Lisää aikuista läsnäoloa – opiskelijoiden kokemuksia harrastusryhmien arjesta

Authors: STEP-ammattiopisto, youth and community counselor students Laura ja Venla
Published: 8.6.2026, STEPcast, Spotify

Aikuinen, jolla on aikaa – mitä työparimalli opetti harrastamisesta?

Authors: Maara Kosonen, Education and guidance teacher, project manager, STEP-koulutus
Published: kesäkuu 2026, STEPblogi

NuoRTO-hankkeen esiselvityksen tuloksia

Authors: Johanna Kurki, Maara Kosonen, Heidi Bucht, Säde Siljamo, Nina Jääskeläinen, Timo Ruuhijärvi, Anu Hagman ja Taru Lyytinen.
Published: 2.12.2025, päivitetty 28.1.2026, PDF

Kehittämistyön mysteerit ratkeavat salapoliisin elkein

Authors: Maara Kosonen, Education and guidance teacher, project manager, STEP-koulutus; Taru Lyytinen, Project coordinator, Outward Bound Finland Ry
Published: 21.10.2025, Lasten, nuorten ja perheiden osallisuuden koordinaatio blogi

Jos hanke olisi kulkuneuvo ja muita vertauskuvia

Authors: Anu Hagman, Lecturer, Laurea University of Applied Sciences
Published: 15.9.2025, Laurea Journal

NuoRTO-hankkeen esiselvitys viitoittaa kohti yhdenvertaisempaa harrastamista

Authors: Johanna Kurki, project worker, Laurea University of Applied Sciences; Säde Siljamo, Lecturer, Laurea University of Applied Sciences; Nina Jääskeläinen, Bachelor of Social Services student and expert by experience
Published: 2.6.2025, Laurea Journal

Yhteistyön ja innostuksen kipinä syttyi Kuopiossa – NuoRTO-hanketiimi rakensi yhteistä ymmärrystä ja suunnitteli tulevaa

Authors: Säde Siljamo, Lecturer, Laurea University of Applied Sciences
Published: 9.4.2025, Laurea Journal

NuoRTO-hankkeen aloitustapahtuma kokosi yhteen nuorten vapaa-ajan parissa toimivia asiantuntijoita ja toimijoita

Authors: Säde Siljamo, Lecturer, Laurea University of Applied Sciences; Johanna Kurki, projektityöntekijä, Laurea-ammattikorkeakoulu; Nina Jääskeläinen, Bachelor of Social Services student and expert by experience
Published: 10.3.2025, Laurea Journal

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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