North Karelia Martha District Association Ms. Helena Puhakka-Tarvainen Vice Chairperson North Karelia Martha District Association, Finland

The Martha Organization Founded in 1899, when the majority of Finnish families were living in poverty and Finland was part of the Russian Empire (autonomy) Founders were well educated ladies, who saw that women had a key role in educating their families and the future generations in household skills Martha was only one of the many educational organizations established that time Actions in North Karelia started already in 1899; North Karelia Martha district association was founded 1907

Politically independent non-governmental organization acting for the well-being of Finnish homes and families Close cooperation with other organisations (authorities, communities, schools, enterprises, etc.) Raising awareness of home economics through the provision of housekeeping advisory

The North Karelia Martha district association 130 Martha clubs and 13 activity groups 4100 members Local activities (Martha clubs and activity groups) Regional activities (courses, workshops) National events Study groups (peer-to-peer learning) Culture and Excursions International activities

Regional activities Professionally trained home economics and gardening consultants, 13 employees Wide range of counselling for members and the general public (courses, lectures, thematic excursions, project activities, training materials, journal, TV programmes, website, etc.) Courses for special groups: e.g. children, aged people, immigrants, people in financial difficulties and people recovering from mental health problems Activities follow national thematic campaigns: “Wellbeing by slowing down” in 2011–2013

Financing Ministry of Education Other ministries and trusts Membership fees Commercial activities Café Martha Martha HomeCare Room rental Items for sale

Beneficiaries Well-being of homes and families Activities for all age groups and both genders Activities both in countryside and cities Members and general public Helping individuals to improve the management of everyday life Enhancing the viability of sparsely populated areas

Life-long learning Mini-Martha diplomas Accredited study modules (mastery keys, hobby badges, expert passes) Peer study groups Mentoring Hierarchical training (gardening Martha, accountant-Martha, mushroom Martha, etc.) Learning by doing

Key factors for sustainability Traditionally deeply committed staff and members Successful combination of voluntary work and hired staff members Competitive working conditions Continuous recruitment of members Viable mentoring system Promotion and publicity, bright imago Continuous self-innovation Successful productization of counselling services

Key challenges for the success in the future Maintaining the deep commitment of staff and members Retaining the high degree of voluntary work Keeping the local activities hale and hearty Recruiting new members and establishing new clubs and activity groups Getting new trustees to lead the activities and take care of the finances Foreseeing the future trends Making the activities to correspond the wishes and needs of the members

Transferability Way of counselling piloted in Russian Karelia, Estonia and Africa thus far The organisational model could be adopted anywhere; Martha clubs already established in Russian Karelia, international groups outside Finland Aims and goals relevant to all parts of world, especially in developing countries Structure of the study modules easily transferable

Transferability Virtual solutions Mobile counselling Social media

Home economics and cooking

Gardening and environmental care

Household keeping skills

Organisational skills

International activities

Contact North Karelia Martha District Association Pohjois-Karjalan Martat ry Kauppakatu 23 b B Joensuu Finland tel