Text: Maritina Katsarou, ESC volunteer in Helsinki unit
In mid-June, Valo-Valmennusyhdistys in Helsinki had the pleasure of hosting three professionals from North Macedonia for a job-shadowing visit. The participants represented European Citizenship Action, an organisation working in the non-formal education field, based in Bitola, and spent the week exploring a range of facilities, projects, and working methods in Helsinki and Porvoo. Along the way, they met with professionals from different fields and learned about a variety of approaches and services. At the end of their visit, we invited them to share their reflections on the experience and the perspective they gained during their time in Finland.
An introduction to the Valo-Valmennusyhdistys and its work.
Over the four day visit, from 15 to 18 June, the representatives took part in a variety of workshops, project activities, and discussions with professionals from different fields. The programme offered them a broad overview of the work carried out by Valo-Valmennusyhdistys and its partner initiatives. The first day began with an introduction to Valo-Valmennusyhdistys, its mission, and its role as an association. Participants also learned about the organisation’s approach to social entrepreneurship and discussed the opportunities and challenges involved in running social enterprises. On the second day, the visitors travelled to Porvoo to expl ore one of the organisation’s ongoing projects and gain insight into its local activities. The third day focused on the work carried out at Valo-Valmennusyhdistys’s space in East Helsinki, where participants had the opportunity to observe different services and projects in practice. The visit concluded with an evening programme, during which the job-shadowing participants joined activities alongside some of the organisation’s clients.
Participants learn about ongoing projects during their visit to the Lysis space in East Helsinki
At the end of the job-shadowing experience, the participants from North Macedonia reflected on both the differences and similarities they observed between the social and youth work sectors in Finland and their home country.
Among the most notable differences was the way youth work is organised and delivered. The participants highlighted that activities in Finland tend to be more structured and formalised, whereas in North Macedonia youth-related initiatives are often based on non-formal education methods and are largely organised by volunteers. They also pointed to the availability of dedicated facilities and the level of public funding and state support as significant factors that distinguish the Finnish system.
Job-shadowing participants visiting facilities in Porvoo.
Despite these differences, the visitors also recognised several important similarities. Above all, they noted a shared commitment to supporting people and creating positive social impact. According to the participants, professionals in both countries are driven by a genuine desire to help others and strengthen their communities. They also observed that many of the methods used to engage, motivate, and support young people are remarkably similar. Furthermore, they found that professionals in both Finland and North Macedonia are eager to participate in training courses, seminars, and other learning opportunities to continuously develop their skills and improve the quality of their work.
All three participants described the job-shadowing experience as both enlightening and inspiring. They noted that the visit broadened their perspectives and introduced them to new practices that could be adapted and applied in their own working environments, particularly in the areas of mental health and wellbeing. The participants also highlighted the value of connecting with professionals working in similar fields, describing the experience as an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas, build relationships, and lay the foundation for future cooperation and projects.