The pilot targets East Helsinki, the city’s most diverse district, which faces significant challenges with youth unemployment and income disparity, particularly among residents with a foreign background. Many young people in this area rely on social assistance and do not engage with traditional business models.​

The project will establish and incubate a youth-led social enterprise incubator and community hub, providing support for the creation of social enterprises that directly address the needs of the community. Co-designed with the local youth, a “NEB Design Challenge” will solicit ideas for sustainable social businesses with a focus on e.g., circularity and circular economy, to tackle the challenges in their neighbourhood. Selected participants will receive training in design thinking and business modelling, mentorship, and support to prototype their services. Established social enterprises in Helsinki will also be engaged as advisors. The physical community hub will be set up in It is Shopping Centre, activating the space not only to host the pilot activities, but also to connect the youth to meet, share, and co-develop their ideas. The hub will be located in proximity to the city’s Ohjaamo youth guidance service and the Stoa Cultural Centre, creating powerful synergies.​

The pilot will engage minimum 40 young people (18-29 yrs) and 60 other residents and local stakeholders. The incubator programme aims to support a minimum of four new youth-led social enterprises that deliver tangible neighbourhood improvements. The pilot will also establish a community hub, strengthening social cohesion between the community. The “Helsinki Model” toolkit will be launched by the end of the pilot, providing other cities with replicable guides on how to engage the youth in NEB-aligned urban regeneration.​

FVH (knowledge partner), Helsinki City Employment Service (city partner/LL implementation partner).​