Information about the competition

Spring is an idea competition for students at secondary education in Finland. Spring searches for ideas that will make the world better and more hopeful.

Spring is contested in teams of 3–5 people. The teams develop an idea, which can make the world better in some way and which they want to take forward. The ideas can be big or small. You can also register for the competition even if your idea is still just preliminary. You can enter you idea to Spring until March 17th 2023.

A panel of judges will select ten most promising ideas for further development for the finals. The top ten teams will be invited to an idea incubator in Helsinki, where they will get support with taking their ideas to the final event.

Spring culminates in a finale where young people get to vote for their favourite ideas and select three winners. These winning teams will be rewarded with an inspiring summer job, where they will be able to make their ideas reality. The summer job also includes a study trip to Europe.

BACKGROUND

Studies show that young people have been feeling less confident about the future of the world for a while now, and the events of recent years have not made the situation any easier. 

We are already in a great hurry to stop climate change. During the pandemic, everyday life changed in many ways, and life still doesn’t feel quite like it used to. It also feels like the world order is in a state of disarray. Right now, what we need most is peace. 

The world is constantly changing. This also means that it can be changed for the better.  

Even though there are many challenges, there is also hope. Never before has mankind had such a good chance to solve problems and the ability to change the direction of the future. Small ideas can have a big impact on people’s everyday life and even the whole world.

SPRING SUPPORTERS

The ideas will be developed together with top professionals. The group of supporters will grow during Spring.

SPRING FOUNDERS AND PARTNERS

The founders of Spring are Matti Alahuhta, Sari Baldauf, Antti Herlin, Martti Hetemäki, Bengt Holmström and Jorma Ollila. They bear the costs and form the steering group of Spring. The Children and Youth Foundation is responsible for the implementation of Spring. The partners of Spring are Finnish National Agency for Education, The Union of Upper Secondary Students in Finland, National Union of Vocational Students in Finland, Suomen Opiskelija-Allianssi – OSKU ry and Swedish-speaking School-student Union of Finland, FSS.

Also joining in inspiring and supporting the participating youth is a national network of entrepreneurship focused organizations run by students: Boost Turku, Seinäjoki Entrepreneurship Society, LUT Entrepreneurship Society, Tiimiakatemia Jyväskylä, Helsinki Think Company, Oulu Entrepreneurship Society, Pori Entrepreneurship Society, Tampere Entrepreneurship Society, Vaasa Entrepreneurship Society, Metropolia Turbiini Campus Incubator and Aalto Entrepreneurship Society.

Spring has been developed together with young people. During the fall of 2022 more than 150 young people in secondary education participated in developing the elements of Spring. Teachers have also had an influence on Spring. The teaching material has been produced according to the teacher’s wishes. The material can be used to support students with forming their ideas and applying for Spring during their school days.