4H members belong to a local 4H club. In co-operation with the adult leaders, the young people are responsible for making all decisions regarding the club. Each club elects a board consisting of a chairman, a secretary, a treasurer and other officials. The clubs make a year plan on what they intend to do. The plan includes club meetings, courses, competitions, study tours, camps, exhibitions and other group activities. Quite often in rural areas 4H clubs are the only place for young people to meet each other outside of school and to work as group. The 4H Federation covers practically the whole county.

In urban areas 4H offers young people a unique opportunity to learn about themselves, about the community and the people around them. The close-to-nature approach in hobbies and during leisure time appeals to young people in urban areas. There are currently 4H advisors devoted to working with disadvantaged youth in some cities, in co-operation with schools and social workers. The proportion of 4H members living in cities has steadily grown.

The Finnish 4H Federation publishes the magazine 4H-Pilke, which appears eight times a year. 4H-Pilke offers 4H members, their parents and leaders up-to-date information on 4H activities.

INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE

The Finnish 4H Federation offers a wide range of international opportunities. 4H members can take part in exchange programmes, camps, courses, development projects and correspondence. Modern society requires intercultural skills and 4H programmes help youth to acquire this competence.

International 4H Youth Exchange (IFYE) is a challenging educational programme. 4H members can choose to travel to the USA and to some European countries (Austria, Estonia, Hungary, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Switzerland) as well as host young people from these countries. Exchange visits to the USA usually last six months, and to European countries 2-3 months. Short-term exchanges take place with Minnesota (the USA), Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Tanzania. The Finnish 4H Federation is currently screening new partners for exchange programmes.

The Finnish 4H Federation has been actively involved in the events arranged by the European Committee for Young Farmers and 4H Clubs, as well as in the co-operation within the Nordic Region organised by Nordisk Samorganisation for Ungdomsarbeid (NSU).

4H has been active in seeking the new funding opportunities through the European Union and its excellent YOUTH programme. Also intercultural learning courses have become very popular with 4H members.

NEIGHBOURING TERRITORIES IN THE BALTICS AND RUSSIA

The Finnish 4H Federation wishes to continue active co-operation with the newly-established 4H organisations in the Baltics, as well as in Karelia and the Kola Peninsula in Russia. Efforts are underway to encourage the start up of an exchange scheme for youth and officials, twin city co-operation, leadership training and camps at the regional level as well.

THE DEVELOPMENT CO-OPERATION
The Finnish 4H Federation launched a Development Co-operation Project with the Tanga region in Tanzania in the late 1970s. In 2001 a total of five regions, 150 schools and 10 000 members are carrying out 4H projects. Membership of the youth group has raised the self-esteem of young boys and girls and their living conditions have also improved.

In 2001 the Finnish 4H Federation launched a new EU-funded development project in Namibia. The aim is to encourage young people in the Khomas, Omaheke and Otjozondjupa regions to start income generating projects and to gain leadership, democratic and other skills through club activities.

African projects make young people in Finland more aware of global issues.

THE SERVICES OFFERED

• Professional staff at national, regional and local levels
• Counselling service on the main activities
• Training courses
• 4H Magazine
• Guidebooks and literature´
• International opportunities
• National Insurance policy
  

THE FINNISH 4H FEDERATION
Karjalankatu 2 A
FIN-00520 HELSINKI
FINLAND
Tel. +358 9 7512 4200
Fax +358 9 7512 4255
E- mail: 4h-liitto@4h-liitto.fi