During his official visit to Finland between 5 and 7 October 2022, Nicolas Schmit, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, visited Helsinki’s ‘Ohjaamo’ One-Stop Guidance Centre. Launched with funding from the European Social Fund (ESF), the centre supports young people under 30 years of age and is a key part of implementing the European Youth Guarantee in Finland.  

The centre is situated in the heart of the city and offers numerous services to young people who are looking to integrate into the jobs market or otherwise improve their situations. This includes information, advice and guidance, as well as empowerment of young people through a wide network of partner organisations. This model encourages young people to get in touch with the service to improve their personal situation. Multi-layered support is then provided for participants until a long-term solution – such as studying or employment – can be found.  

Ohjaamo offers personalised assistance, planning an individual’s path away from social exclusion with enabling services, such as healthcare, and by taking their previous skills and experience into account. The Centre offers young people guidance on entering education or employment,  helps them with  administrative procedures , such as filling out job or social security applications. Ohjaamo also offers links to the business community through local companies and trade associations, promoting direct contact between employers and young people.  

This approach has been shown to be extremely effective, and it has been upscaled to other cities across the country. As of 2022, approximately 70 One-Stop Guidance Centres are operating in Finland. 

The Commissioner’s visit to the centre highlighted the contribution of ESF funding to develop long lasting structures and services – which can build a better future for Finland’s youth.