WHAT IS 4H?
4H is an organisation for young people. 4H is committed to meet the need of all youth through their own 4H projects, club activities, camps, courses and international activities. 4H is one of the largest youth education programs in the country. 4H is open for all no matter where you live. Leaflet 
THE 4H EMBLEM - A FOUR LEAF CLOVER
Head-Thinking
4H makes young people think as team members. Today we have more information than we have need for. 4H helps young people make their own choices and be responsible of their own acting.

Hands-Doing
In 4H young people do things that are fun and they learn skills they can use all through their lives – in work, at home and with their friends.

Heart -Feeling
In a 4H club a young person can make new friends. The leaders help them see different ways of handling problems.

Health-Living
Being healthy means feeling good both mentally and physically. We encourage young people to make good choices. We are working for an healthy lifestyle in a good environment.
 
THE AIMS
The 4H-organisation is an advisory organisation teaching practical skills to young people. The 4H program supplements the secondary school education by teaching manual skills and by encouraging young people to start own projects.
We will help young people learn practical skills, such as..

-Lead others
-Respect others
-Be responsible
-Express themselves
-Adapt to change
-Make decisions
-Get an income through their own projects
INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE
The 4H youth movement is international, there are over 85 4H and similar rural youth educational organisations throughout the world. Each country has its own way of working. The principle for the work overall is “Learning by doing”.
The 4H organisation for Swedish-speaking peoples is involved in the events arranged within the Nordic Region organized by the Nordisk Samorganisation for Ungdomsarbeide. Our members can take part of the International 4H Youth Exchange program through the Finnish 4H federation.
HOW EVERYTHING WAS STARTED
The 4H program began in the USA in the early 1900s. Adults helped young people learn better farming and homemaking skills.

In Finland
The Finnish 4H Federation was established in 1928 and the special committee for the 4H for Swedish- speaking people was seated in 1929.

4H is a non-profit and a non-political organisation. The program is financed by an annual government grant from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, grant from municipalities, subsidies from funds and money get through own activities.
THE 4H PROJECTS 
4H projects are learning-by-doing activities. They cover a broad spectrum of interests to encourage young people to take part. Some are aimed at younger boys and girls, other for those in their late teens, but all members may choose a project of their own. Below are a few examples of what is on offer.
-growing vegetables
-dressmaking and handicrafts
-environmental projects and recycling
-berries
-horses
-”dog-sitting”
-organic farming
-cooking and baking
-fishing
-forestry
-projects of Interest

Each spring, the members choose a project. They are offered guidance by a 4H supervisor on how to set up their project, together with a log book in which to keep record of how their project proceeds. The supervisor visits each member during the summer to offer personal advice and expertise, e.g. on planning, budgeting, bookkeeping and marketing. Late in the autumn, the members complete their log books and return them to the supervisor. There are exhibitions where the members present their projects.  
4H COURSES , CAMPS AND COMPETITIONS
A wide range of courses, camps and competitions is arranged by both local and district 4H organisations for their members and for other young people living in the countryside. In rural communities, for example, local 4H clubs are often the only place where young people can get together and take part in organised activities outside school hours.
At the district level, Finlands svenska 4H and the regional organisations arrange various events to bring together young people from different local communities and to offer them an opportunity not only to have fun together but also to learn new skills.

Types of courses and competitions include:

-handicrafts
-machinery (tractors)
-animals (horses, dogs etc)
-cooking & baking
-forestry
-horticulture (sunflowers, pumpkins)
-leadership training
-first aid
WHO ARE WE?
4H members
4H clubs (associations)
4H leaders
4500
40
30
4H districts 2 (3)
Åland, the swedish speaking part of Ostrobotnia and the swedish speaking part of southern Finland
HOW TO CONTACT US
Finlands svenska 4H
Address: Liisankatu 21 B 12
FIN-00170 Helsinki, Finland

Phone: 358 - 9 -135 1235
Fax: 358 - 9 -135 1653
E-mail: fs4(at)fs4h.fi