Deeds of Hope

Meet Agents of Change

At the heart of volunteering and activism lies a powerful need: the need to be part of societal change.

As volunteers daily committed to change-making, we believe we cannot look away from the social and environmental injustices we witness and experience. Staying silent would mean enabling these injustices —it is certainly not an option.

Deeds of Hope  was a solidarity project that ran from September 2025 to June 2026 and aimed to break that silence by amplifying the voices of those working every day to build a fairer, more just Helsinki. These include activist groups, grassroots movements, and civil society organizations promoting active citizenship.

This platform is open to both formally registered organizations and informal collectives contributing to positive social change in Helsinki and surrounding areas.

What Is It About?

Every month, we organized events where these agents of change connect with a young, international audience.
The goal was to:

  • Share knowledge about activism and social engagement

  • Showcase the impact of local changemakers

  • Offer support for upcoming actions, demonstrations, and events

  • Create accessible entry points into political and community engagement — especially for newcomers to the city and for international youth who may face language or other barriers.

What Happens at Each Event?

Each session included:

  • Introductory session with ice-breaker activities

  • A short overview of our Safer Space Principles to ensure a space free from discrimination based on gender, age, race, (dis)ability, sexuality, class, ethnicity, education, or religion

  • A presentation from that month’s featured movement or organization — the overall theme will be social and environmental justice, but each session will focus on a different topic

  • A hands-on workshop, where invited groups share practical skills and knowledge gained through their activism

  • A feedback circle for participants to share ideas and suggestions

  • Time to connect informally — and enjoy some delicious food together!

About the Food 🍲

Food is an important part of our events — not just for nourishment, but as an act of community care and sustainability.

Before each event, a team of volunteers gathered to cook a plant-based meal using ingredients that are locally sourced, seasonal, organic when possible, and/or rescued from food waste.

We’re not aiming for perfection — but we promise to do our best, because we believe food production and distribution should also be ethical and just.

This is a volunteer-led project. Every event includes a feedback session, and we want everyone’s voice to help shape how the project evolves.