YEPP Ry is a Social Enterprise that provides support for underserved youths ages 9-18 to excel in education and social life. The YEPP program is based on the scientifically proven benefits of informal learning and mentoring, as effective support for individual learning and career development. It was created in response to educational and social challenges that youth of immigrant background face in Finland specifically, and more generally in Europe. Several findings from surveys and research highlights the higher dropout rate and mental health struggles, lower admission to university and fewer admissions to STEM programmes, of immigrant origin youths.
Immigrant background youths participated in the development of the program through focus group discussion and continuous program evaluations.
The program started as a project under Think Africa Ry with pilot funding from Moniheli Ry, Finland. The program was registered as an association in May, 2022.
Thus, the program is co-created, and pursues an informal approach to learning that builds social and psychological abilities and skill-sets of youths and young people. It seeks educational information, learning resources, aids, and opportunities across geographical boundaries, in partnership with private organizations, and facilitates access for our registered members specifically, and underserved groups generally.
YEPP Ry is a Social Enterprise that provides support for underserved youths ages 9-18 to excel in education and social life. The YEPP program is based on the proven benefits of social, cultural and psychological approaches to learning and wellbeing for youths and young people. It was created in response to educational and social challenges that youth of immigrant background face in Finland specifically, and more generally in Europe. Several findings from surveys and research highlights the higher dropout rate and mental health struggles, lower admission to university and fewer admissions to STEM programmes, of immigrant origin youths. For example: Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (2020) survey on immigrant health and wellbeing in Finland reveals that immigrant background kids perform poorly at school. Myrskylä (2011) study shows that the risk for youths of immigrant origin to dropout from school and end up outside of the workforce is 5 times higher than native Finnish youths. In addition, immigrant parents have reported struggles faced by their children and the scarcity of ready tools to improve holistic integration in our ethnic and religious associations. More so, immigrant youths were key participants in the development of the program through focus group discussion at the start of the program in 2021 and evaluation interviews in 2022.
Thus, the program is co-created, and pursues an informal approach to learning that builds social and psychological abilities and skill-sets of youths and young people. It seeks educational information, learning resources, aids, and opportunities across geographical boundaries, in partnership with private organizations, and facilitates access for our registered members specifically, and underserved groups generally.
To give educational, social and international exposure for inspiration and informal learning.
To create a friendship network of young immigrant youths of diverse socioeconomic and ethnic
background for emotional support, peer learning, and play.
To provide professional and career guidance and coaching at an early stage to deal with anxiety, boost confidence and explore life questions during challenging periods.
To teach social justice and civic engagement to engage the youths as changemakers.
To support and guide every registered child to success in education and social life.
1. To give educational, social and international exposure for inspiration and informal learning
2. To create a friendship network of young immigrant youths of diverse socioeconomic and ethnic
background for emotional support, peer learning, and play.
3. To provide professional and career guidance and coaching at an early stage to deal with anxiety,
boost confidence and explore life questions during challenging periods.
4. To teach social justice and civic engagement to engage the youths as changemakers
5. To support and guide every registered child to success in education and social life.
Founder & Chairperson
Vice-Chairperson
Secretary General
Volunteer/Well-being club lead
YEPP provides a globalized alternative tailored educational and social support to young individuals for them to achieve their full potential in career development, social and individual wellbeing
