Kukunori

What Kukunori does

Kukunori (registered as Kukunori ry) is a Helsinki-based Finnish non-profit association that delivers community-based wellbeing programs for vulnerable populations using its proprietary GFP (Guided Functional Peer Support) methodology. The GFP model trains peer instructors with lived experience of mental health challenges, substance abuse recovery, or social exclusion to lead activity-based groups with light professional support, replacing clinic-centric intervention with peer-led community engagement. Core programs include K\\u00e4velyfutis (low-threshold walking football), Roso-tuotanto (creative production and game development for 18-35 year-olds at risk of exclusion), a network of Kulttuuripajat cultural workshops (Havis, K-35, NET women-only, and Pori's Lumo), and Huudikoutsit (peer-based outreach at metro stations and day centers in the Helsinki metropolitan area).

The organization's customer base spans four primary segments: mental health and substance abuse rehabilitation clients, NEET youth aged 18-35, adults aged 75+ (via the new Ik\\u00e4voimaa-valmentajat project), and women including immigrants (via the NET cultural workshop). A secondary audience comprises Finnish workplaces via the Mielenturvaa network. Kukunori's business model is non-commercial: services are free for participants, and revenue consists of restricted project grants from STEA (Social and Health Organizations' Grant Center), private foundations (notably P\\u00e4ivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation as main funder of Hyv\\u00e4n arjen rakentajat, plus Miina Sillanp\\u00e4\\u00e4, Y-S\\u00e4\\u00e4ti\\u00f6, Brita Maria Renlund), EU programmes (EU4Health REMESOS, ESR+ TEKO-hanke), and Making More Health for Kenya work. Domestic impact metrics include 50+ walking football teams across Finland, 30-40 partner organizations delivering K\\u00e4velyfutis, hundreds of annual participants, and self-reported outcomes of 84-95% on wellbeing, fitness, community, and belonging measures. International activities span Kenya (Nairobi, Webuye) and Bangladesh (Rangamati autism education via the Giriphul project since 2011).

Name

Kukunori

Legal name

Kukunori ry

Website

https://kukunori.fi

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kukunori is a Finnish non-profit association operating the GFP (Guided Functional Peer Support) model to deliver community-based wellbeing programs including walking football, cultural workshops, and creative production serving mental health recovery clients, NEET youth, elderly, and at-risk populations across Finland and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Employment & Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs (EDAAAOAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Mental Health Counseling & Therapy Services (K–12) (EDAJALAG)

Keywords

• Community mental health
• Peer support services
• Cultural workshop programs
• Social welfare services
• Wellbeing community programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Helsinki

HQ country

Finland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. STEA Funding: Primary funding from STEAn sosiaali- ja terveysjärjestöjen avustuskeskus (Social and Health Organizations' Grant Center) which supports Kävelyfutis, Roso-tuotanto, cultural workshop NET, and Huudikoutsit programs.
2. Foundation Grants: Funding from Päivikki ja Sakari Sohlbergin säätiö (Hyvän arjen rakentajat program) and Brita Maria Renlundin muistosäätiö supporting operations in Vantaa Havukoski area.
3. EU Programme Funding: Funding from EU4Health programme for REMESOS project and Making More Health programme for Kenya cultural workshop project.

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Kukunori is a Finnish non-profit association that delivers community-based wellbeing programs using the GFP (Guided Functional Peer Support) model where trained peer instructors lead activity-based groups with professional support. Core offerings include the Kävelyfutis (Walking Football) program, a network of Kulttuuripajat (Cultural Workshops) with locations including Havis, NET, Lumo, and K-35, the Roso-tuotanto creative production program with its Roso Games sub-project, and the Huudikoutsit peer-based outreach program, serving mental health recovery clients, NEET youth, elderly populations, women, and workplaces across Finland.

Product overview

Kukunori operates as a Finnish wellbeing organization offering a portfolio of community-based programs and tools. The core offerings include the GFP-malli (Guided Functional Peer Support) methodology, which underpins their network of Kulttuuripajat (cultural workshops) including K-35, NET, Lumo, and Havis. Their flagship programs include Kävelyfutis (walking football) for low-threshold physical activity, Roso-tuotanto for creative production with Roso Games as a game development sub-project, and Huudikoutsit for peer-based outreach. Supporting infrastructure includes the Pokka assessment tool, the Aineistopankki resource bank, and the Hyvinvoinnin tulevaisuus podcast. Programs operate across Finland with international expansion through EU projects in mental health.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kävelyfutis: Low-threshold walking football program for wellbeing through team sports, targeting people in mental health and substance abuse recovery.
• Roso-tuotanto
• Roso Games
• Pokka
• GFP-malli
• Mielenturvaa
• Hyvän arjen rakentajat

Products and services

• Pokka An assessment tool developed by Kukunori for evaluating and measuring wellbeing outcomes, providing survey packages and tools for developers, practitioners, municipalities, and organizations working in the social welfare sector.
• Kävelyfutis (Walking Football) A low-threshold team sport program promoting wellbeing through physical activity, primarily targeting mental health and substance abuse rehabilitation participants, social and health sector professionals, and elderly populations. Operates with 50+ teams nationwide through partner organizations.
• Roso-tuotanto A creative production program connecting diverse young adults aged 18-35 at risk of exclusion, providing workshops, events, competitions, and mentorship in digital environments across various art forms to strengthen wellbeing and life skills.
• Roso Games A game development project within Roso-tuotanto where young adults aged 18-35 learn game design, programming (Lua), and collaborative development skills by creating games together online, facilitated by peer instructors who progressed from previous projects.
• Kulttuuripajat (Cultural Workshops) Open community meeting places where trained peer instructors lead activity-based groups enabling participants to express themselves, learn new skills, and strengthen daily wellbeing resources through shared interests, based on the GFP (Guided

Quantifiable outcome

• 84% of participants reported strengthened personal resources
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• KuntoutussäätiöcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025ESR+ co-funder partner in TEKO-hanke (Employment Promotion Ecosystem) developing smoother employment paths for hard-to-employ people.
• Lapin ammattikorkeakoulucoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025ESR+ co-funder partner in TEKO-hanke developing employment pathways for hard-to-employ individuals.
• Valo-Valmennusyhdistys rycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025ESR+ co-funder partner in TEKO-hanke (Työllistymisen edistämisen ekosysteemi) combining different sectors: wellbeing areas, public services, organizations, education and labor market actors.
• Miina Sillanpään SäätiöcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Joint initiative partner in Ikävoimaa-valmentajat project (2025-2027) bringing GFP principles and creative activities to elderly (75+) in Helsinki metropolitan area. Project manager Emmaleena Niemi from Miina Sillanpää Foundation.
• Y-SäätiöcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Joint initiative partner in Ikävoimaa-valmentajat project (2025-2027). Project researcher Maria Kotimäki from Y-Säätiö working on applying GFP model to elderly wellbeing.
• Irti Huumeista rycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-implementer of Huudikoutsit initiative - trained peers with experience of substance abuse and criminal lifestyle provide outreach support, food, and peer support to substance users in Helsinki metropolitan area.
• Aseman Lapset rycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Hyvän arjen rakentajat network working on youth mental wellbeing (Mielen hyvinvointi work package) in Vantaa Havukoski area.
• AspacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Hyvän arjen rakentajat network working on youth mental wellbeing in Vantaa Havukoski area.
• HelsinkiMissiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Hyvän arjen rakentajat network working on youth mental wellbeing in Vantaa Havukoski area.
• Lasten ja nuorten keskuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Hyvän arjen rakentajat network working on youth mental wellbeing (Mielen hyvinvointi) in Vantaa Havukoski area.
• SOS-LapsikyläminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in Finnish social and health sector network.
• Suomen Punainen RistiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in Finnish social and health sector network.
• Mieli ryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in Finnish social and health sector network and Mielenturvaa workplace mental health network.
• DiakonissalaitosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Hyvän arjen rakentajat network in Vantaa.
• Walter ryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Hyvän arjen rakentajat network and Koivukylän Pallon kanssa Mielekäs vapaa-ajan toiminta (Meaningful leisure activities) package in Vantaa.
• ITLA (Itsenäisyyden juhlavuoden lastensäätiö)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner in Hyvän arjen rakentajat programme.
• Vantaan kaupunkicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner in Hyvän arjen rakentajat programme working in Vantaa Havukoski and Myyrmäki areas.
• Vantaan ja Keravan hyvinvointialuecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWellbeing area partner in Hyvän arjen rakentajat programme.
• Ashoka NordicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of Waves Summit 2024 social innovation event. Kukunori as cooperation partner.
• LeapFrog ProjectsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of Waves Summit 2024 social innovation event.
• SWAC (Society for Welfare of Autistic Children)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBangladesh partner in Giriphul project working with autistic children and their families in Rangamati region since 2011.
• Centre for Inspiration SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecial school in Rangamati, Bangladesh for children with autism. Partner in Giriphul project creating inclusive education models.
• Ammattiopisto LIVEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinnish vocational institute co-implementing Giriphul project with SWAC in Bangladesh.
• Musiikkikeskus ResonaariminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinnish special music school partner developing music education for Rangamati school in Bangladesh via picture notation and empowering music pedagogy.
• Tukiranka rycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUmbrella organization for Kulttuuripaja Lumo in Pori, implementing GFP model with 30+ active peer instructors for 18-35 year olds.
• RomanifoorumiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember organization of Kukunori. Central union of Finnish Roma organizations. Partnership in Mahdollisuus osallisuuteen (Possibility for Participation) joint project with DIAK encouraging Roma youth.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Tukiranka ry: Umbrella organization running Kulttuuripaja Lumo in Pori with 30+ peer instructors serving 18-35-year-olds. Near-identical operating model to Kukunori's GFP-based cultural workshops; explicit Kukunori partner.
• HelsinkiMissio: Helsinki-based social inclusion non-profit targeting loneliness and exclusion among vulnerable adults. Comparable to Kukunori's Hyvän arjen rakentajat-style community wellbeing work; partner within the Hyvän arjen rakentajat network.
• SOS-Lapsikylä: Finnish child welfare and family support NGO operating community-based programs and partner organizations. Comparable on model (network of partners, social services, community delivery) and as a listed Kukunori partner.
• Aseman Lapset ry: Finnish youth services NGO focused on at-risk young people. Comparable on youth segment and community-based delivery; partner within Hyvän arjen rakentajat.
• Mieli ry (Finnish Mental Health Association): Finland's largest mental health NGO and a Kukunori partner. Highly comparable as a national peer-support and mental-wellbeing network delivering community programs across Finland, with overlapping workplace mental-health (Mielenturvaa is co-facilitated with Kukunori) and population-level wellbeing programs.
• Kuntoutussäätiö (Rehabilitation Foundation): Finnish rehabilitation foundation focused on employment pathways for people with disabilities and other barriers. Closely aligned with Kukunori's TEKO-hanke employment ecosystem work; core ESR+ co-funder partner.
• Irti Huumeista ry: Finnish substance-abuse prevention and recovery NGO. Directly comparable to Kukunori's Huudikoutsit outreach to substance users and the recovery-client target segment of Kävelyfutis; formal Kukunori co-implementer.

Broad incumbents

• Suomen Punainen Risti (Finnish Red Cross): Largest humanitarian NGO in Finland, with overlapping volunteer-led community wellbeing, inclusion, and mental health programs. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the same segment; Kukunori partner organization.
• Diakonissalaitos: Large established Finnish social services operator covering housing, mental health, and youth. Overlaps with Kukunori's recovery and youth segments but at substantially greater scale; partner in Hyvän arjen rakentajat.

Emerging players

• Ashoka Nordic: Nordic arm of the global social-entrepreneurship network. Comparable as a peer-support and social-innovation ecosystem player; Kukunori's co-organizer of the 2024 Waves Summit and a recognized external validator.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Kukunoriry
• Instagraminstagram.com/meidanhavis
• Xx.com/Kukunoriry
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kukunori

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kukunori