Yhdessä Selviytymisen Tuki YSTI ry

What Yhdessä Selviytymisen Tuki YSTI ry does

Yhdessä Selviytymisen Tuki YSTI ry is a Finnish non-profit association (yhdistys) founded in 1990 in Hervanta, Tampere, operating three community social service units. Toimela provides free open leisure activities, hobby groups, trips, and family programming for schoolchildren aged 7-13. Täky functions as an alcohol-free drop-in meeting place offering unscheduled activities, peer groups, and service guidance for adults. Verkko coordinates volunteer assistance (errands, companionship, digital support, doctor visits) and peer support groups for elderly and disabled Hervanta residents, plus a joint caregiver support group with the Southern Parish. All core services are free to users; the organization derives revenue from STEA grants, Tampereen kaupunki welfare subsidies, donations (one-time, monthly recurring, testamentary), and membership fees (€10-€30 individual, €300 corporate).

The organization employs 7 staff under Executive Director Riitta Kraatila and a volunteer board, with leadership transitioning in May 2026 to new chair Päivi Huuskonen. Distribution is entirely physical and localized to Hervanta, with offices at Insinöörinkatu 30 (administration, Täky, Verkko), Lindforsinkatu 7 (Toimela), and Hermiankatu 3 (Verkko's Wednesday café). There is no proprietary technology platform; service delivery relies on volunteer coordination, phone-based matching, and in-person programming. Marketing is community-led via the website (yst.net), Facebook and Instagram pages per unit, email newsletters, and earned media.

The business model is structurally exposed to public-sector funding risk: the organization depends almost entirely on STEA and City of Tampere grants, and the €140M national cuts to social/health NGO subsidies (2024-2027) have already forced a temporary closure of Täky in late 2025. Strategic positioning relies on 35 years of community embedding, advocacy federation memberships (SOSTE, EAPN-Fin, TARVE, Artteli), and recognition such as Toimela's Kannustajat 2025 win and Hervanta's District of the Year 2026 designation.

Name

Yhdessä Selviytymisen Tuki YSTI ry

Legal name

Yhdessä Selviytymisen Tuki YSTI ry

Website

https://yst.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Yhdessä Selviytymisen Tuki YSTI ry is a Finnish non-profit association operating three community social service units in Hervanta, Tampere: Toimela for children aged 7-13, Täky for adults, and Verkko for elderly and disabled residents. Funded primarily by public grants and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Tampere

HQ country

Finland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Funding (STEA): YSTI ry operates entirely on public financing. Major funders include Sosiaali- ja terveysministeriön avustuskeskus STEA (Social Affairs and Health Ministry's Support Centre), which provides grants for the Verkko unit's volunteer activities, and Tampereen kaupunki (City of Tampere), which provides significant welfare promotion general subsidy. The organization has been affected by national cuts to NGO state subsidies.
2. Donations and Fundraising: The association collects donations via bank transfer (FI21 6601 0010 4659 79), MobilePay (35944), QR code, and through third-party platforms (Lahjoittamo, Auttamisesta arkea). One-time donations, monthly recurring donations, and bequest/testament donations are accepted. A fundraising permit (RA/2022/1163) is valid indefinitely. Donations support preventive child welfare work (Toimela), recreation groups for elderly and disabled (Verkko), and open alcohol-free evening activities (Täky).
3. Membership Fees: Individual members pay annual dues of €10, €20, or €30 per year, or a one-time lifetime membership of €120. Corporate/organizational annual membership is €300. Members receive event notifications and can participate in annual meetings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

YSTI ry is a non-profit community social services organization operating three units in Hervanta, Tampere. Toimela provides free leisure activities for children aged 7-13. Täky offers a free, alcohol-free meeting place with activities for adults. Verkko coordinates volunteer and peer support for elderly and disabled residents to enable independent living at home. All services are provided free of charge to users.

Product overview

YSTI ry is a non-profit community organization operating three distinct service units: Toimela provides community-based leisure activities for 7-13-year-old children; Täky offers a meeting place for adults with free leisure activities; and Verkko connects elderly and disabled persons with volunteer support. The organization operates as preventive social work, reducing inequality and loneliness in Hervanta, Tampere, guided by values of human-centeredness, equality, and community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Toimela: Community leisure activities for 7-13-year-old schoolchildren in Hervanta, Tampere
• Täky
• Verkko

Products and services

• Toimela A community-based leisure activity center for schoolchildren aged 7-13 in Hervanta, Tampere. Provides open activities Mon-Fri 12-16:45 (school days) and 11-15:45 (school holidays), hobby groups (sports, crafts, woodwork, music), day trips, family activities, and workshops. Operates as preventive child welfare work and is entirely free of charge.
• Täky A free, alcohol-free meeting place for adults in Hervanta, Tampere. Offers drop-in meetings, hobby groups, trips, peer support, service guidance, bingo, crafting, fitness groups, karaoke, and creativity sessions. Open Tue-Thu 15-19, Fri 15-17, and approximately once per month on Saturdays 14-18. All activities are free and non-committal.
• Verkko A volunteer and peer support network connecting elderly residents (65+) and persons with disabilities in Hervanta with trained volunteers. Provides assistance with daily activities such as companionship, outdoor walks, shopping, medical appointments, and digital device support. Includes open customer cafés (Tuesday and Wednesday), caregiver support groups, and peer/hobby groups. Supports independent living at home. All services are free of charge.

Quantifiable outcome

• Children experiencing reduced loneliness and social exclusion through community participation
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tampereen kaupungin Hyvinvointipalvelut (City of Tampere Welfare Services)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTampere City is a key strategic partner providing public funding (via STEA subsidies and direct welfare promotion grants) and referring clients through social services, school social work, and child welfare. The city also coordinates the 'Toimintakykyä ja osallisuutta ikäihmisille etsivällä kulttuurisella vanhustyöllä' (Vitality and inclusion for elderly through outreach cultural elder care) project in which Verkko participates.
• TARVE - Tampereen Voimavaraverkosto rycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember organization of TARVE (Tampere Resource Network), a network that advocates for social welfare and health NGOs in the Pirkanmaa region, promoting wellbeing and reducing exclusion and inequality.
• Kumppanuusyhdistys Artteli rycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYSTI ry is a member of Artteli Partnership Association, which makes visible the social and healthcare communities operating in the Pirkanmaa area, promotes partnership, and engages in advocacy work.
• Hervannan yhteisökeskus L8 (Hervanta Community Centre)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYSTI ry has been involved from the founding of Hervanta Community Centre L8. The centre hosts municipal adult social work (Pirha), child protection for families, youth outreach work, Southern Parish diaconal work, and A-Kilta. It offers low-threshold services combining municipal social services and third-sector actors through models such as neighborhood cafés.
• Suomen sosiaali ja terveys ry (SOSTE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYSTI ry is a member of SOSTE, the Finnish Federation for Social Welfare and Health, which represents and advocates for social welfare and health organizations nationally.
• EAPN-Fin (European Anti-Poverty Network Finland)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYSTI ry participates in EAPN-Fin, the European Anti-Poverty Network Finland, working to combat poverty and social exclusion in Finland.
• Eteläisen seurakunnan diakoniatyö (Southern Parish Diaconal Work)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint operation of the caregiver support group (Omaishoitajaryhmä) — a shared initiative between YSTI ry's Verkko unit and the Southern Parish. The parish also provides volunteers and support for various activities.
• Tampereen kaupungin Lupa harrastaa -kerhot (Permit to Hobby programme)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeveral of Toimela's hobby groups (sports, crafts) are organized under Tampere City's 'Lupa harrastaa' (Permit to Hobby) programme, which is coordinated by Hämeen Liikunta ja Urheilu. Toimela staff have completed the 'Lasten Liike' (Children's Movement) training through this network.
• Varalan opistosäätiö (Varala Educational Institution)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVarala students visit Täky on Tuesdays and Thursdays to lead brief low-threshold physical activity sessions for adults.
• TAMK Hyvinvointiklinikka (TAMK Wellbeing Clinic)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudents from TAMK's Wellbeing Clinic visit Täky to lead wellbeing-themed programming for adults.
• Tampereen yliopisto (University of Tampere)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial work students from the University of Tampere complete field practice and assignments at YSTI ry's units. Media research students also volunteer to lead digital skills sessions (Digitällit) at Täky.
• Kulttuuriosuuskunta TIcASminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTIcAS Cultural Cooperative organized a painting workshop at Täky as part of the 'Kulttuuriunelmi a Hervanta' (Cultural Dreams for Hervanta) programme.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• HelsinkiMission (HelsinkiMissio): Finnish non-profit providing community-based social services, volunteer support for elderly and lonely individuals, and meeting place activities in Helsinki. Closely comparable mission, multi-unit structure, and reliance on public funding and donations to YSTI ry.
• Setlementti Tampere ry: Tampere-based settlement movement organization running community social work, youth activities, and adult meeting places. Closely comparable three-pillar community model and target population to YSTI ry within the same city.
• Mannerheim League for Child Welfare (Mannerheimin Lastensuojeluliitto, MLL): National Finnish NGO focused on child welfare, family support, and free leisure activities for schoolchildren. Directly comparable to YSTI ry's Toimela unit in mission, free-of-charge model, and community-based delivery.
• YMCA Finland (NKY): Finnish YMCA operating community centers, youth programs, and senior activities across Finland. Directly comparable multi-generational community hub model, free-of-charge ethos, and public-funding-plus-membership revenue mix to YSTI ry's three-unit structure.

Broad incumbents

• SOSTE Finnish Federation for Social Welfare and Health: Umbrella federation representing Finnish social welfare and health NGOs (of which YSTI ry is a member). Operates in YSTI ry's category at policy, advocacy, and funding-coordination scale rather than direct service delivery.
• Finnish Red Cross (Suomen Punainen Risti): Nationwide humanitarian organization running volunteer-supported elderly and youth programs, social support, and community activities. Operates the same space as YSTI ry but at vastly larger scale with broader mandate and national reach.

Others

• Omaishoitajat ja läheiset -liitto: National Finnish caregiver support association representing family caregivers and coordinating caregiver support groups — directly overlapping with YSTI ry's Omaishoitajaryhmä. Functions as an adjacent ecosystem organization and potential referral partner rather than direct competitor.

Regional players

• Folkhälsan: Finland-Swedish social welfare organization providing elderly support, disability services, and community activities primarily in Swedish-speaking regions. Comparable service model and target populations to YSTI ry's Verkko unit but serving a different linguistic/cultural geography.
• Tampereen evankelis-luterilainen seurakuntayhtymä: Tampere Lutheran parish federation running diaconal work, caregiver support groups, and elderly outreach in the same city. Operates a partially overlapping service portfolio in Hervanta (including the joint caregiver group with YSTI ry's Verkko unit) but as a religious-affiliated regional actor.

Emerging players

• Tukikohta ry: Tampere-based non-profit providing community social services and support for people in difficult life situations. Comparable community-based, volunteer-supported model to YSTI ry but operating in adjacent sub-segments of the same population.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses6 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/takyhervanta
• Instagraminstagram.com/takyhervanta
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/yhdess%C3%A4-selviytymisen-tuki-ysti-ry

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Yhdessä Selviytymisen Tuki YSTI ry