KEPA in Finland

KEPA provides many kinds of support to its members:

Advocacy

KEPA monitors the socio-economic and political processes that affect member organisations, and actively works to improve the conditions for their work in development cooperation and building North-South partnerships. KEPA also works to facilitate member organisations’ global education work and their lobbying activities related to development policies.

Contacts with other organisations

KEPA assists its members in networking with other organisations and partners with similar objectives.

Etvo - Finnish Volunteer Programme

Through KEPA’s Southern Volunteer Programme (ETVO), volunteers of at least 20 years of age can work on grassroots projects in developing countries. KEPA’s member organisations can apply for volunteer workers to be placed in their partner organisations in the South for periods of 6-12 months.

Extranet

KEPA’s extranet compiles useful information on member organisations, but also serves as a virtual meeting place where member organisations can communicate with each other and build networks.

Field offices in the South

KEPA’s project advisers in Mozambique, Nicaragua and Tanzania support Finnish organisations and their local partners work on development cooperation projects in these countries. The country offices also arrange training for local NGOs.

Library

KEPA’s library contains a wealth of information on development issues, including books, magazines, newspapers and videos featuring economic development, the developing countries, environmental issues, global education, and other subjects of interest. The library also contains music and literature from many countries. Details of the library’s collection are available on the KEPA website, where books may be reserved for postal loans.

Meeting facilities

KEPA’s premises in Helsinki include well-equipped offices and meeting facilities that can be used by member organisations free of charge. The Aurinko (Sun) conference room fits 15-20 people. The Kuu (Moon) office has two computers, a photocopier, and a small kitchen. These facilities can be booked through KEPA’s website.

News

KEPA regularly informs member organisations about current issues via the extranet, letters sent to all members, and e-mail briefings. Members also benefit by following news available on KEPA’s website or through various e-mail circulation lists. Each member organisation also receives one free annual subscription to KEPA’s Kumppani magazine.

Member organisations can also use KEPA’s information services to publicise their own events and activities.

Partners and networks

KEPA helps Finnish organisations to find partners in countries where KEPA has field staff. KEPA also supports cooperation and networking between its member organisations in Finland. Fruitful networks have already been built up by organisations working with global education, by the organisers of child sponsoring schemes, by organisations working with HIV/aids, concerning environmental issues related to development, and by researchers and others working with development policy issues.

Project advice

KEPA’s professional project advisers help member organisations to plan, monitor, evaluate and report on projects related to development cooperation and publicity campaigns. Project advice is provided free of charge for member organisations.

Training

KEPA organises a wide range of training on development co-operation, development policy, and other issues related to the work of member organisations. Training may be conducted by KEPA’s own staff, experienced representatives from member organisations, or other experts. Most training sessions are held on KEPA’s own premises in Helsinki. Fees vary according to the nature and length of the training. Representatives of KEPA’s member organisations pay reduced fees for training.

Events and campaigns

KEPA and its member organisations organise a variety of events and campaigns all over the country.

Markets of Possibilities

Each spring and summer NGOs from throughout Finland hold 'Markets of Possibilities' which present the multicultural side of Finland in its best. The fairs are filled with the colors, tastes, sights and sounds of Finland's changing cultural mix. At the markets, NGOs present the public with the broad array of their activities on such issues as human rights, the situation of newcomers to Finland, the environment, fair trade, as well as about different cultures. For more information:
www.mahdollisuuksentori.fi/english

World Village Festival

The flamboyant World Village festival is held in Helsinki in May. The festival draws thousands of people to its world music concerts, food stalls, exhibitions and theater shows. For more information:
www.worldvillage.fi

Global Education

KEPA and it's member organisations have established a network to boost global education in Finland.

More and better development co-operation

KEPA has urged the government to increase by 2010 development spending to the 0.7% of GDP minimum level recommended by the UN.

• "Poverty won't be eradicated from the world by development cooperation alone, but neither will it be successfully tackled without it". - Jorma Kukkonen, priest and Ex-Chair of Kepa

In addition, KEPA is actively involved in the national debate on the eradication of the debt of poor countries and the effects of free trade and land ownership on Southern countries' food security and agriculture.