HORISONTTI TEAM ASSOCIATION

Horisontti Team Association was registered in Helsinki/Finland in 16.8.1993 as a non governmental not profit making organization. The name and rules were changed into Horisontti Team ry (association) in 27.7.2004. This made it possible for the organization to work across borders.

The objectives of the organization are to promote sustainable social, health and environment development. It operates by building network and partnership programmes locally, nationally and internationally.

Horisontti Team Association works against social exclusion, poverty and unemployment in grass root level sharing solidarity, experience and knowledge from people to people.

Horisontti Team Association was originally founded as Unemployed People's Organization in Western Helsinki at a time of a deep economic recession causing mass unemployment of over half million people (total inhabitants about 5.5. million). There was an urgent need to create solutions for self employment and alternative employment means such as co-operatives.

Horisontti Team Association has implemented several employment projects in handcrafts, repairing furniture and bicycles as well as cafeteria and catering service. Horisontti Team Association runs a centre of over 2000 square meters offering various handicraft workshops, computer and information technology environment with teaching, offices for administration, personal counselling and information.

The centre offers employment and practicing opportunities for 150 people during a year. The voluntary work is also possible at the centre and there are daily between six and ten volunteers working. About one quarter of the personnel working in Horisontti is of foreign origin.

The annual costs are over half a million euros and the activities of the association is covered by forty percent, mainly from the second hand shop and cafeteria. The public funding comes from the City of Helsinki and Ministry of Labour in form of employment support. Finland's Slot Machine Association (RAY) supports projects.