Join the Encouragers

The Encouragers are former and current athletes, as well as other role models, who give children and young people hope, strength, and belief in themselves. They create video messages that can have a lasting impact for a lifetime. From their own experience, the Encouragers know that the right words at the right time can change the direction of a life – and that is why they want to give back to the next generation.

The Encouragers form a community that shows how small actions can make a huge difference. Would you like to join us?

The Power of Encouragement in Action

One of our cheerleaders, Laura Lepistö, knows from her own career how the right words can carry you through even the toughest moments. That is why she wants to encourage children and young people to keep going, believe in themselves, and discover the joy of movement.

As a result of this video, the mother of one recipient shared that a child who was going through a difficult time gained tremendous strength — so much that a sport or hobby that had already been given up was started again.

What do the Encouragers say?

What do the Encouragers say?

In sports and in life, we all sometimes struggle with fear, nerves, and preconceptions. Choosing to be brave can even lead to a life-changing transformation. We are delighted to be part of the Susi family in encouraging children and young people.
Lassi Tuovi
Lassi TuoviHead coach of the Finnish national basketball team
"Parasta Rohkaisijat-toiminnassa on se, että on vaikeaa sanoa kumpi tässä saa enemmän: viestin lähettäjä vai sen vastaanottaja. Kuten nämä monet esimerkit ovat hienosti sen osoittaneet, kun kuulee miten valtava vaikutus positiivinen omilla sanoilla on toisen ihmisen elämään, se antaa myös itselle todella paljon. On mahtavaa olla mukana tällaisessa toiminnassa joka tuo todella konkreettista apua lapsille ja nuorille".
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Mika Poutala Suomen liikunta-, urheilu- ja nuorisoministeri
Even during my athletic career, I felt that being a role model was the most meaningful part of being an athlete. It’s hard to put into words how it feels when your own small actions can create such big, tangible impacts on someone else’s life. The Rohkaisijat service captures the tremendous power sport has to do good.
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Laura LepistöEuropean Figure Skating Champion
I think it’s really great that we get to have such a direct and meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people. There are many positive aspects here, and I can hardly think of anything negative.
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Elina KoskimiesSusiladies captain
In sports and in life, we all sometimes struggle with fear, nerves, and preconceptions. Choosing to be brave can even lead to a life-changing transformation. We are delighted to be part of the Susi family in encouraging children and young people.
Lassi Tuovi
Lassi TuoviHead coach of the Finnish national basketball team
I believe encouraging young people to stay active and take up hobbies is extremely important. Hobbies have been a big part of my youth, and even as an adult I can say I am very grateful to be able to call my beloved hobby, basketball, my profession. The very thought that someone might get inspired or find support for taking up a hobby from my videos—whether it is sports, art, or something else—warms my heart. It is always nice to help, but especially in these encouragement cases I have been able to share my own experiences and step into the shoes of the person being supported. As a result, it has been even more rewarding to share my thoughts and encourage a young person. Overall, I have found making and sending the videos to be a fulfilling activity. Positive feedback from parents of young people has also made me feel more positive myself. So this project has been therapeutic for me too!
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Topias PalmiThe Wolf Pack
"Parasta Rohkaisijat-toiminnassa on se, että on vaikeaa sanoa kumpi tässä saa enemmän: viestin lähettäjä vai sen vastaanottaja. Kuten nämä monet esimerkit ovat hienosti sen osoittaneet, kun kuulee miten valtava vaikutus positiivinen omilla sanoilla on toisen ihmisen elämään, se antaa myös itselle todella paljon. On mahtavaa olla mukana tällaisessa toiminnassa joka tuo todella konkreettista apua lapsille ja nuorille".
Avatar
Mika Poutala Suomen liikunta-, urheilu- ja nuorisoministeri
I see it as a meaningful and wonderful opportunity to be part of the Encouragers and, through that, help inspire children and young people by sharing my own story and experiences.
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Niilo MoilanenCross-country skiing
In sports and in life, we all sometimes struggle with fear, nerves, and preconceptions. Choosing to be brave can even lead to a life-changing transformation. We are delighted to be part of the Susi family in encouraging children and young people.
Lassi Tuovi
Lassi TuoviHead coach of the Finnish national basketball team
Besides getting to help others, this is enjoyable and really rewarding for me too! A truly great initiative and it’s been a pleasure to be involved!
Avatar
Sasu SalinSusijengi captain
Even during my athletic career, I felt that being a role model was the most meaningful part of being an athlete. It’s hard to put into words how it feels when your own small actions can create such big, tangible impacts on someone else’s life. The Rohkaisijat service captures the tremendous power sport has to do good.
Avatar
Laura LepistöEuropean Figure Skating Champion
"Parasta Rohkaisijat-toiminnassa on se, että on vaikeaa sanoa kumpi tässä saa enemmän: viestin lähettäjä vai sen vastaanottaja. Kuten nämä monet esimerkit ovat hienosti sen osoittaneet, kun kuulee miten valtava vaikutus positiivinen omilla sanoilla on toisen ihmisen elämään, se antaa myös itselle todella paljon. On mahtavaa olla mukana tällaisessa toiminnassa joka tuo todella konkreettista apua lapsille ja nuorille".
Avatar
Mika Poutala Suomen liikunta-, urheilu- ja nuorisoministeri

The Power of Encouragement in Action

One of our cheerleaders, Laura Lepistö, knows from her own career how the right words can carry you through even the toughest moments. That is why she wants to encourage children and young people to keep going, believe in themselves, and discover the joy of movement.

As a result of this video, the mother of one recipient shared that a child who was going through a difficult time gained tremendous strength — so much that a sport or hobby that had already been given up was started again.

Join the Encouragers

The Encouragers are former and current athletes, as well as other role models, who give children and young people hope, strength, and belief in themselves. They create video messages that can have a lasting impact for a lifetime. From their own experience, the Encouragers know that the right words at the right time can change the direction of a life – and that is why they want to give back to the next generation.

The Encouragers form a community that shows how small actions can make a huge difference. Would you like to join us?

Join the Encouragers

The Encouragers are former and current athletes, as well as other role models, who give children and young people hope, strength, and belief in themselves. They create video messages that can have a lasting impact for a lifetime. From their own experience, the Encouragers know that the right words at the right time can change the direction of a life – and that is why they want to give back to the next generation.

The Encouragers form a community that shows how small actions can make a huge difference. Would you like to join us?

The Power of Encouragement in Action

One of our cheerleaders, Laura Lepistö, knows from her own career how the right words can carry you through even the toughest moments. That is why she wants to encourage children and young people to keep going, believe in themselves, and discover the joy of movement.

As a result of this video, the mother of one recipient shared that a child who was going through a difficult time gained tremendous strength — so much that a sport or hobby that had already been given up was started again.

What do the Encouragers say?

In sports and in life, we all sometimes struggle with fear, nerves, and preconceptions. Choosing to be brave can even lead to a life-changing transformation. We are delighted to be part of the Susi family in encouraging children and young people.
Lassi Tuovi
Lassi TuoviHead coach of the Finnish national basketball team
Besides getting to help others, this is enjoyable and really rewarding for me too! A truly great initiative and it’s been a pleasure to be involved!
Avatar
Sasu SalinSusijengi captain
Even during my athletic career, I felt that being a role model was the most meaningful part of being an athlete. It’s hard to put into words how it feels when your own small actions can create such big, tangible impacts on someone else’s life. The Rohkaisijat service captures the tremendous power sport has to do good.
Avatar
Laura LepistöEuropean Figure Skating Champion
"Parasta Rohkaisijat-toiminnassa on se, että on vaikeaa sanoa kumpi tässä saa enemmän: viestin lähettäjä vai sen vastaanottaja. Kuten nämä monet esimerkit ovat hienosti sen osoittaneet, kun kuulee miten valtava vaikutus positiivinen omilla sanoilla on toisen ihmisen elämään, se antaa myös itselle todella paljon. On mahtavaa olla mukana tällaisessa toiminnassa joka tuo todella konkreettista apua lapsille ja nuorille".
Avatar
Mika Poutala Suomen liikunta-, urheilu- ja nuorisoministeri
For Supporters

Frequently Asked Questions – For Encouragers

What is expected of me?

We simply ask that you have a willingness to help and are ready to share a little of your own experience. In practice, this means recording short encouragement messages. Even with a small time commitment, you can make a big impact — and we’ll support you every step of the way if any questions come up.

How are encouragement requests sent to me?

What should I say?

Why apply to become an Encourager?

What if I’m not always available?

How much time does this take?

Do I need any special equipment or skills?

Can I see what kind of impact my message had?

Who can become an Encourager?

How does Rohkaisijat work?

I'd be happy to help—how can I move this idea forward?

For Supporters

Frequently Asked Questions
– For Supporters

What is expected of me?

We simply ask that you have a willingness to help and are ready to share a little of your own experience. In practice, this means recording short encouragement messages. Even with a small time commitment, you can make a big impact — and we’ll support you every step of the way if any questions come up.

How are encouragement requests sent to me?

What should I say?

Why apply to become an Encourager?

What if I’m not always available?

How much time does this take?

Do I need any special equipment or skills?

Can I see what kind of impact my message had?

Who can become an Encourager?

How does Rohkaisijat work?

I'd be happy to help—how can I move this idea forward?

For Supporters

Frequently Asked Questions – For Encouragers

What is expected of me?

We simply ask that you have a willingness to help and are ready to share a little of your own experience. In practice, this means recording short encouragement messages. Even with a small time commitment, you can make a big impact — and we’ll support you every step of the way if any questions come up.

How are encouragement requests sent to me?

What should I say?

Why apply to become an Encourager?

What if I’m not always available?

How much time does this take?

Do I need any special equipment or skills?

Can I see what kind of impact my message had?

Who can become an Encourager?

How does Rohkaisijat work?

I'd be happy to help—how can I move this idea forward?