NGO Day

Name: NGO Day
Start: 2026-10-01T09:30:00.000Z
End: 2026-10-01T16:00:00.000Z
Location: Lippulaiva library

Time

Thu 1.10.2026 EET/EEST12.30–19.00 EET/EEST

Location

Espoonlahdenkatu 8, 02320 Espoo

See location on the map(external link, opens in a new window)

Target audience

No age limit

Languages

Finnish

Price

Free entry

Organizer

Konsernihallinto

On 1 October, Espoo NGO Day will gather non-governmental organisations and their partners to Lippulaiva library for an inspiring programme of learning and sharing of ideas.

The theme of this year’s NGO Day is Strength Through Collaboration. The day will offer unique opportunities for networking and being inspired together with other NGO actors, city employees and partners. You will get to share ideas and experiences and strengthen cooperation between NGOs.

While the event is free of charge, advance registration is needed to participate in the stage programme. The NGO stands will serve all library customers from 12:30 to 17:00.

Date and time: Thursday, 1 October 2026 from 12:30 to 19:00

Place: Lippulaiva library, Espoonlahdenkatu 8, 02320 Espoo.

Registration

To participate in the event’s stage programme, advance registration is required by 16 September.

Click on this link to register!(external link, opens in a new window)

Programme

12:30 Registration begins and the NGO stand area opens

13:00-14:05

Opening remarks, Maria Tiilikkala
Appreciative interaction creates cooperation, Lari Karreinen

Where the aim is to strengthen cooperation, the solution often lies in being heard and appreciated better. Lari Karreinen, a solution-oriented coach and long-term developer of NGO cooperation, will guide us to better interaction: how to meet another person without the burdens of the past, be heard and seek the common good?

Karreinen's talk will show you how to focus on strengths in various situations. You will take home practical tips and exercises that will help you build more effective cooperation with individuals, organisations or the city alike.

Key programme for improving literacy in Espoo, Programme Managers Petri Saarela and Valia Wistuba

The whole city takes part in the work on literacy in Espoo, and NGOs and associations also contribute to these valuable efforts. How could we develop our work and reach residents even better?

Current news about Lähellä services, Myra Magnusson, HyTe ry

This information session will bring you the latest news about the Lähellä.fi web service. You will also get to know the LähelläPro service for professionals.

14:05-14:35 Afternoon coffee, a sweet treat and informal networking

14:35-15:15

Promoting employment in cooperation with the NGO sector, Hilla-Maaria Suomi, Director of Employment Services, City of Espoo

Let's join our forces to promote vitality and meaningfulness.

Announcement of the NGO Achievement of the Year award

This award celebrates exemplary NGO activities and successful cooperation in Espoo.

15:15-16:30 Discussion 'Listening Espoo' and opportunity to explore the stands

In the discussion titled Kuuleva Espoo ('Listening Espoo') aimed at NGO representatives, we reflect on how the cooperation between Espoo and NGOs can be strengthened, enabling it to lend better support for the well-being of Espoo residents. How can we build practical cooperation and work together to remove barriers to cooperation? This moderated discussion will bring together NGOs, city officials and experts. The purpose of the discussion is to build a common understanding.

The participants in the discussion include Chair of the City Board Mervi Katainen, Employment Director Hilla-Maaria Suomi and Director of Immigration Affairs Sanna Lindholm. The discussion will be moderated by the city’s experts Maria Tiilikkala and Said Aden.

The first 50 people to register will be able to participate in the discussion. While the discussion is underway, this is also a good opportunity to visit the NGO stands.

16:30-16:45 Summing up of the Listening Espoo discussion

Break

17:00-17:45 Supporting immigrant women together, Farah Ghahramani, Finnish Refugee Council

The speaker will present key observations of the Omalle uralle ('My career') project and highlight the importance of cooperation between service providers for supporting and promoting the integration of immigrant women. How can various actors combine their expertise, improve service accessibility and build smoother support paths for immigrant women?

17:45-19:00 Social event: snacks and networking

NGO stands 12:30-17:00

The stands of the NGO Day will showcase the activities of local NGOs. They will introduce you to different NGOs and give you chances to network with actors in the field. No advance registration is needed to visit the stands, as they will serve all library customers during the event.

Would you like to put up your own stand at the event? Submit your organisation's registration by 17 September with this form(external link, opens in a new window)!

The route to the main entrance

The 10 accessible parking spaces are located in a parking hall over 10 m from the entrance. The width of the parking spaces is at least 3.6 m.
The parking hall has a lift, which can hold a wheelchair; the door opens automatically. The floor numbers in the lift can be felt with fingers. The button for the exit floor stands out from the other buttons. (The minimum dimensions for an accessible lift are width 1.1 m and depth 1.4 m.)
The pick-up and drop-off area is located in the vicinity of the entrance, giving easy access to the pavement.
The route to the entrance is guided, smooth and sufficiently wide and illuminated and it uses movement-guiding surface material.

The main entrance

The entrance stands out clearly and is illuminated.
The doors connected to the entrance stand out clearly and the glass doors have contrast markings. Outside the door there is sufficient room for moving e.g. with a wheelchair. The door opens automatically with a motion sensor.

The entrance "Merikarhunkuja 5"

The route to the entrance is smooth and sufficiently wide and illuminated and it uses movement-guiding surface material.
There is a steep slope on the passage.
The entrance stands out clearly and is illuminated.
The doors connected to the entrance stand out clearly and the glass doors have contrast markings. Outside the door there is sufficient room for moving e.g. with a wheelchair. The door opens automatically with an opening button.
The entrance has thresholds over 2 cm high.
The customer service point is on the same floor as this entrance.
The staff opens the toilet.

In the facility

The customer service point is located on floor 3.
The staff opens the toilet.
For moving around, there is a lift, which can hold a wheelchair; the door opens automatically. The floor numbers in the lift can be felt with fingers. The button for the exit floor stands out from the other buttons. (The minimum dimensions for an accessible lift are width 1.1 m and depth 1.4 m.)
The doors in the customer service point stand out clearly. The glass doors have contrast markings.
The customer service point has an accessible toilet on the same floor.