Young innovators competing for Spring’s victory tackle climate crisis, mental health issues, and equality challenges

Out of 133 ideas submitted to the Spring idea competition, 12 of the most promising ones were selected for the next stage. These teams aim to make the world a more hopeful place by improving young people’s mental health, equality, and well-being, as well as developing solutions to climate and environmental challenges. 

Start here

The Spring idea competition encouraged 15–19-year-olds to develop ideas at school and in their free time that would make the world more hopeful. To participate, young people had to form a team of 3–5 members and submit their idea by the end of January. From the hundreds of ideas developed in various workshops and youth meetings, 133 teams entered the competition. From these, Spring selected 12 of the most promising ideas and their teams for the next stage in the competition.  

The Spring semifinalists 2025 are:

BioLöBö  
Theme: Climate & environment 
Nicklas, Elias, Eetu, Markus 
Janakkala 

Carbon Conscious 
Theme: Climate & environment 
Kasper, Yassin, Yusanda, Batuhan, Sergey 
Turku – Raisio 

Cyano-plastic Destruction System 
Theme: Climate & environment 
Shania, Sabrina, Kerttu 
Helsinki 

ECOLSTERS 
Theme: Climate & environment 
Katja, Irene, Suheyla, Marja, Bintu 
Helsinki – Tuusula – Nurmijärvi 

Into The New World 
Theme: Equality 
Sofia, Mirana, Leila 
Helsinki 

Kalaheijastimet 
Theme: Climate & environment 
Léna, Teea, Klaara, Hilda, Karo 
Helsinki – Espoo 

 
SoulLink  
Theme: Mental health 
Ralph, Aman, Jonatan
Espoo 
 
STAGE 
Theme: Impact  
Mobina, Kawsar, Sadaf, Wiida 
Helsinki 

StudyCore  
Theme: Learning 
Maire, Aava, Valeri 
Helsinki 

ThriftySwipe 
Theme: Consumtion 
Serra, Mikaela, Venice 
Tampere 

Talousakatemia 
Theme: Learning  
Tuomas, Vilivaltteri, Elian, Ville 
Tampere 
    
Ungdom Utan Penningspel 
Theme: Wellbeing 
Andreas, Veli, Carl, Magnus 
Helsinki 

High quality of applications and tough competition for spots in the next stage 

Out of the 133 ideas submitted to Spring, the 12 teams that advanced were selected by the Spring team, which has diverse expertise in idea development and supporting young people’s innovations. 

In the selection process, Spring focused on the teams’ ability to identify problems, the purposefulness and insightfulness of their ideas, the broader applicability of the ideas, as well as the composition and motivation of the teams. 

Young people will have a say in choosing the Spring winners 

The 12 selected teams will advance their ideas during an idea weekend in April, with support from Finland’s top mentors and Spring coaches. The event will be held at VALO Hotel & Work. After this, a jury will select six teams to advance to the final. 
Young people under the age of 20 across Finland will have the chance to vote for their favorite idea between April 23 and May 5, 2025, based on the teams’ presentation videos. The three teams with the most votes will win the Spring idea competition.

 
All members of the three winning teams will be rewarded with a summer job and a study trip to Lisbon, during which they will have the opportunity to bring their ideas to life. 
 

The Spring Idea Competition is produced by the Children and Youth Foundation in Finland. Spring is supported financially by Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation, Saastamoinen Foundation, and Yksityisyrittäjäin säätiö

Stay updated on the next stages of the competition by subscribing to our newsletter.