Every youth has a right to feel safe. The new Taksvärkki campaign discusses how we can promote safety in the lives of young people.
Young people all over the world experience unsafety. Discussion on safety often emphasizes threats such as wars, violence, crime and climate crisis. Safety experienced in daily life is impacted by other factors as well, such as familiar people, health and trust in oneself and the future. The hope for life without fear connects young people around the world.
Taksvärkki fundraising is a way to make a difference. Together we build a safer world for all youth.
When you feel safe -campaign page has all the details on organizing a Taksvärkki Fundraising day, registration form and information on how Taksvärkki ry supports young people making an impact.
You can also watch the video messages from Kenyan youth to the youth in Finland.
Youth and safety in Kenya and in Finland
Young people in Kenya and Finland say that the feeling of security is increased by:
- Trustworthy friends and safe adults,
- Safe environment,
- Life without discrimination or violence,
- Trust in one’s capability and a good future,
- Opportunity to influence one’s own life and community.
”Feeling safe is when you are part of society. Knowing that you’re not alone, but you can also manage on your own. That you don’t have to be afraid of the future.”
– Siiri, 13, Espoo
Meet young changemakers on the When you feel safe campaign page. When do they feel safe? What can everybody do to promote safety?
Safer world for all the youth
Taksvärkki uses the proceeds of the Taksvärkki Fundraising campaign to support the work of its partner organizations with young people in six countries. In Kenya, the Undugu Society organization improves the lives and safety of young people living and working on the streets.
In Undugu’s work in Kenya young people establish their own associations. Membership in these groups creates safety and supports substance-free life. In groups, young people receive peer support from each other and also have the opportunity to earn money in honest ways and rent a home. The associations for example set up kiosks or car washes, grow crops, sell jewelry they have made or plastic and metal they have collected.
”I feel safe, when I’m surrounded with good friends.”
– Tabitha, 21, Nairobi
In Taksvärkki’s and Undugu’s project young people improve safety in their own community and cooperate with the police and neighbors. In trainings and events, young people and adults learn what rights the youth have and how to defend them together.
Taksvärkki promotes the conditions for young people to participate in the development of their own communities. Young people are the protagonists, not merely beneficiaries in Taksvärkki’s projects.
By spending one day at work and donating their pay to Taksvärkki Fundraising campaign, Finnish youth fund a long-term development cooperation projects. Taksvärkki’s local partner organizations are in charge of the practical implementation of the projects.
Thanks to the funds collected in Taksvärkki, our work can continue. We support youth inclusion and human rights in Guatemala, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nepal and Sierra Leone.
What is Taksvärkki fundraising?
The original Taksvärkki fundraising campaign has been used to promote young people’s rights since 1967.
On Taksvärkki Day young people work for one day. Earnings from the work are donated to the Taksvärkki fundraising campaign. Taksvärkki Day can be organized anytime during the school year.
Read more about Taksvärkki Fundraising.
Enroll your school for the Taksvärkki fundraising campaign with this Taksvärkki registration form.
You can also order a school visit and global citizenship workshops for free.
