26
Eeva Toivanen, The Finnish Association of Social Enterprises, ARVO
Icehearts SOCIAL ENTERPRISE CASE STUDY
Organisational background
Societal need
Icehearts is a non-profit social enterprise working to prevent youth social exclusion in Finland. Icehearts is an additional support system to municipalities’ social services that accompanies the child for up to 12 years. The idea of Icehearts is to provide a safe adult, the Icehearts educator, and the support of a team to children and youth who are at greatest risk of dropping out of school and later social exclusion. It is estimated that one Icehearts team of 25 children can save up to €2.8m of public money.
The number of children (under 18 years old) taken into custody in Finland has risen by 3% annually in 2000–2014. Children in the identified risk groups do not receive the help and support needed to prevent more intensive social services in time. The services are often scattered and fragmentary and no-one has the overall responsibility for the child’s situation. This increases the risk of ending up in foster care and social exclusion, even though with the right support a different path would be possible.
Vision Icehearts wants all children to have equal opportunities to grow up to become well-adjusted adults. Their vision is that children and youth grow up to be active community members who are also able to generate well-being amongst others.
