Sustainable Development in Finnish and Norwegian Folk High Schools

Finnish and Norwegian folk high schools are building bridges for sustainable development – cooperation in Oslo brought inspiration and new ideas.

The Building Bridges for Sustainable Development Erasmus+ project involves Finnish and Norwegian folk high schools along with the international Bridge 47 network working together to promote sustainable development. The goal is to investigate how the UN’s Agenda 2030 target 4.7 – sustainability skills, human rights, equality, global citizenship, and cultural diversity – are implemented in Finnish and Norwegian folk high schools, as well as to strengthen expertise and networks in the field.

In September 2025, a study visit and project kickoff meeting were held in Oslo. A group of staff and leaders from Finnish folk high schools, including Haapavesi Institute, Kalajoki Christian Institute, Kanneljärvi Institute, Helsinki Deaf Folk High School, and Lahti Folk High School, participated. Representatives from the Finnish Folk High School Association and Bridge 47 network were also involved.

Activities included getting to know the project network's actors, familiarizing with project actions, and jointly planning a survey aimed at Finnish and Norwegian folk high schools. They visited the Nobel Peace Center guided by a tour and socialized informally over joint dinners. They also visited Oslofjord Folkehøgskole, a folk high school in Oslo. Outside of the official program, the group explored the city in sunny, warm autumn weather.

#HappyFolkHighSchools and Other Good Ideas

The Finnish Folk High School Association is counterparted in Norway by Anni Henricson, the Finnish association’s development manager, introduced the Finnish folk high school network, while Anne Tingelstad Wøien, director of Folkehøgskolerådet, presented the Norwegian system. Norway has about ten more folk high schools than Finland, but annually only around 6,000 students attend Norwegian folk high schools compared to nearly 21,000 in Finland. Norwegian folk high schools are thus relatively small compared to the Finnish ones.

Bridge 47 network founder and director Rilli Lappalainen led discussions on sustainability expertise and Agenda 2030's target 4.7 themes. Together with project partners, they reflected on sustainability survey questions and on the general role, challenges, and strengths of folk high schools regarding sustainability expertise. They noted that folk high schools are continuously achieving strong results especially in social sustainability, and that this competence should be highlighted more. The idea was floated that folk high schools in the world’s happiest nation could teach happiness. Could this be a broader branding idea for folk high schools? The hashtag #HappyFolkHighSchools was quickly adopted.

The importance of advocacy work was also emphasized. The Finnish Folk High School Association is already doing good work in this area, but individual folk high schools also have an important role in advocacy. Anne Tingelstad Wøien stressed the importance of inviting young local politicians to the schools and engaging in discussions with them – one never knows who might become a national-level decision maker.

The Spirit of Folk High Schools Unites

Visiting the Norwegian folk high school was truly interesting. Oslofjord Folkehøgskole felt like coming home. A small, cozy institution housed in a historic building, with youth in their hoodies and straightforward relations between students and staff – the folk high school spirit was palpable. Principal Knut Øilo talked about the school's operations and shared challenges familiar to Finnish folk high schools. Students face various problems and funding poses challenges, yet folk high schools continue to empower and encourage youth through diverse methods. This is social sustainability expertise.

Over a Norwegian open sandwich lunch, they reflected on what they had learned in Oslo. There was agreement that a strong folk high school ideology unites Nordic actors and provides a strong foundation for joint development work. They can learn from each other, share good practices, and also innovate new solutions together. Sustainable development and responsibility have a key role in folk high schools, and under Agenda 2030's target 4.7, folk high schools in both Finland and Norway have the opportunity to be pioneers. Articulating and describing activities aligned with this goal is important, and they can support each other in this.

Overall, the study visit left a positive and promising impression. Networking, familiarity, discussions, and shared ideas were inspiring, and from here they will continue courageously and sustainably forward. Thanks to the Finnish project team for the cheerful travel company, and to Norwegian folk high school colleagues for their hospitality – tusen takk alle sammen!

Sari Keskimaa
Vice Principal
Haapavesi Folk High School