Social Integration Through City Adventure
House of Helsinki has launched a new project called Kaupunki Kaverit (City Buddies) which promotes two-way integration. The goal is to build a community where all residents locally can learn from one another and share everyday life together.
Our volunteers from across Finland organize city walks in different neighborhoods. The walks explore the areas from cultural, historical, and built-environment perspectives.
Participants include volunteers from diverse backgrounds – both with migrant and Finnish roots. The walks provide opportunities for encounters, shared experiences, and discovering new perspectives on familiar surroundings.
Why It Matters
Moving to a new country can be lonely and stressful and many people struggle with isolation, anxiety, and not knowing how to connect with their new environment. Kaupunki Kaverit helps by creating a safe and welcoming space where people can explore together, build friendships, and feel part of the community. Just walking, talking, and sharing everyday experiences can be powerful.
Key Activities
We organize exciting 2–4 hour city adventures where participants discover local spots and enjoy playful, interactive activities. Each event is co-led by volunteers who plan and guide the experience so that they run smoothly and are enjoyable for all participants.
Each event features different themes and takes place in various parts of the city, often in collaboration with local organizations and companies. This allows people to gain diverse experiences and deeper insights into the local culture and community services. Volunteers help design the themes, set up the exploration activities, and guide the participants throughout the event.
Interested to collaborate?
Email: hello@houseofhelsinki.fi
Kaupunki Kaverit walks 2025
Piloting Kaupunki Kaverit at Vappu 2025
Our pilot walk took place in Helsinki during Vappu celebrations. The pilot was coordinated by the REFUFIN project team, who wanted to bring volunteers together to experience one of Finland’s most joyful and community-oriented holidays.
Before heading out, we gathered at the House of Helsinki office for a short introduction about the history and traditions of Vappu. For many newcomers, this was the first time hearing about how the celebration connects students, workers, and families and how it marks the arrival of spring in Finland.
After our short onboarding, we joined the city’s festive energy by heading to the Havis Amanda statue to watch the traditional capping ceremony, where students place the white cap on the statue’s head.
From there, we continued to Vallila’s Vappu Dance, where our group enjoyed live music and the relaxed, cheerful atmosphere that fills the city every year on May 1st. It was a simple but meaningful way to spend time together — sharing the celebration, exchanging experiences, and helping newcomers feel part of the community.
Kaupunki Kaverit at the Finnish Parliament
Our wonderful House of Helsinki volunteer Maria organised a small excursion to the Finnish Parliament for the REFUFIN team. Together, we attended "kyselytunti" — the weekly parliamentary Q&A session where the opposition questions the government.
For some participants, especially those still learning Finnish, it was a nice chance to listen to Finnish government in action. Those who have lived in Finland longer took the opportunity to "onboard" others by explaining key points and giving context about the structure and history of the Finnish political system.
After the session, we continued our visit to the Parliament Library, where participants could explore materials about Finnish society, law, and governance.
Kaupunki Kaverit Goes Into the Woods
In Finland, nature is not something separate from daily life, it is something people return to again and again. For many newcomers, discovering this connection can become an important part of feeling at home.
During this walk, our volunteer Mariia Godunova, an experienced mushroom enthusiast, guided the group to Kuusijärvi. Mariia introduced the basics of safe foraging, showing how to identify edible mushrooms and berries, and how to move through the forest with confidence. For many participants, this was their first experience picking food directly from nature, something that felt both new and surprisingly accessible.
Beyond the practical lessons, the day was filled with laughter, conversations, and the joy of discovering nature together. We are grateful to Mariia for her guidance and to everyone who joined our walk.
Kaupunki Kaverit Walk in Vallila and Hermanni
Our volunteer Yuno Tikhomirov guided a walk through the historic districts of Vallila and Hermanni, showing how everyday streets carry layers of Helsinki’s past.
One of the nicest touches was Yuno’s idea to bring a tablet and show old photos of the same spots we were walking through. Comparing those images with the view right in front of us made it easy to imagine how life must have looked here long ago.
Comment from Yuno:
"I’ve been building an emotional connection with Helsinki over the past six years of living here. Still, I felt like I was missing the understanding that comes from being brought up by the walls of this city. Even though I can’t make up for that, I decided to try to get to know the environment around me on a deeper level, outside of my own recent memories on these streets...
Kaupunki Kaverit Walk in Aurinkolahti
October 4, 2025, our Kaupunki Kaverit group gathered in Aurinkolahti, one of Helsinki’s seaside districts. The walk was organised by our volunteer Irina Guseva.
The walk began at the seaside café Kampela and continued along the coastline toward Rastila.
The route combined modern architecture, old villas, and beautiful sea views, creating a perfect blend of Helsinki's contemporary and historical sides. Twelve volunteers joined the walk, forming an ideal group for meaningful conversations and shared discoveries.
Comment from Irina:
"Organising this volunteer walk in Vuosaari was a real joy. I’ve lived here for fifteen years, and I love this area for its rare blend of nature, architecture, everyday infrastructure, and the people who give it heart. It was deeply meaningful to share my love and my perspective on these places—and on our historic buildings—with fellow volunteers supporting refugees from Ukraine. Thank you for walking with me and seeing Vuosaari through my eyes. Welcome to Vuosaari."
