EtusivuVates briefly

Vates briefly

Vates Foundation acts as an expert organisation for the equal employment of people with disabilities, long-term illnesses and people with partial work capacity.

Our modes of activity are development, advocacy, training, dissemination of information and active networking.

Vates works in co-operation with the employment, rehabilitation and education stakeholders .

Funding of Vates Foundation is secured by an annual grant from Funding Centre for Social Welfare and Health Organisations (STEA) and by applying for project funding from different sources.

Vates is a third sector organization established in 1993 by national associations and organizations. At present Vates has 46 background organizations which all have right to have a representative in the Vates-council.

The Foundation normally has between 13 and 18 employees in its staff.

Vates Foundation

Post address: P.O.BOX 40, 00621 Helsinki, Finland
Address: Oltermannintie 8, 00620 Helsinki, Finland
E-mail: vates-saatio(at)vates.fi
Social media:   Facebook Kyvytkayttoon  |  Twitter @kyvytkayttoon

Kaija Ray, vaaleahkot hiukset kiinni, katsoo kameraan. Vaalea paita, taustalla kesäinen pensas.

Kaija Ray

Erityisasiantuntija, työllisyyden palvelujärjestelmä ja osaaminen
044 0724 944
kaija.ray@vates.fi
Jaana Pakarinen hymyilee tumma kukkamekko päällä.

Jaana Pakarinen

Toimitusjohtaja
0400 764 793
jaana.pakarinen@vates.fi

Mission statement

People with disabilities and long-term illnesses (people with partial work capacity) have equal rights and practical possibilities to achieve employment. We are the leading national experts advocating their cause by providing actual and valid knowledge and information, building cooperation and networks, developing new solutions, and promoting diversity in working life.

 

Our values

Courage

Expertise

Readiness to change

Key activities and recourses

Practical activities are run nationwide

  •  Information dissemination and advocacy
  • Development projects and task forces
  • Staff training (seminars, training days)
  • Smaller research studies and surveys
  • ”Skills into Use” national network
  • Active networking with various stakeholders

Actual development themes

  • Holistic approach to support individual pathways through rehabilitation and vocational training, aiming at employment in mainstream workplaces
  • Flexicurity
  • Job coaching and supported employment
  • Social entrepreneurship and social firms

The Board of Directors 1.1.2024 – 31.12.2026

Executive Director Olavi Sydänmaanlakka, Finnish Central Association for Mental Health, The Chairman of the Board
Executive Director Soile Kuitunen, Miina Sillanpää Foundation
Head of Labor Market Affairs Harri Hellstén, The Federation of Finnish Enterprises
Managing Director Jukka Kujala, Kiipula Foundation
Development Manager, Employment Policy drafting and implementation, EU employment policy Erja Lindberg, Kuntaliitto
Head of Non-Governmental Activity Niina Sillanpää, The Finnish Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (FAIDD)
Senior Advisor Mikko Räsänen, Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK)
Executive Director Päivi Puhakka, The Traumatic Brain Injury Association of Finland
Head of Education and Employment Affairs Mikko Heinikoski, The Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions SAK

Deputy Board Members

Development Manager Janne Jalava, Finnish Central Association for Mental Health
Executive Director Ville Luukkanen, Mikkelin toimintakeskus
Executive Director Hannu Koivula, Kiipula Foundation
Specialist, Employment Simo Klem, The Finnish Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (FAIDD)
MD. Chief Me­dical Of­ficer Auli Rytivaara, Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK)
Executive Director / Planner Marjo Juuti-Tavi, TaTu ry


Background organizations

Vates is a third sector organization established in 1993 by national associations and organizations. At present (02/2020) there are 42 background organizations. They all have right to have a representative in the Vates-council.

  • Autism Finland
  • Buusti
  • Caritas Foundation
  • The Deaconess Foundation / Rinnekoti
  • The Finnish Association for Mental Health, FAMH
  • The Finnish Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (FAIDD)
  • The Finnish Association of People with Intellectual Disabilities
  • The Finnish Association of the Deaf
  • The Finnish Association of People with Psychical Disabilities (FPD)
  • Finnish Central Association for Mental Health
  • Finnish Clubhouse Coalition
  • The Finnish CP Association
  • The Finnish Epilepsy Association (FEA)
  • The Finnish Federation of Hard of Hearing (FFHOH)
  • The Finnish Federation of the Visually Impaired (FFVI)
  • FILHA
  • Finnish Neuro Society
  • The Finnish Neuromuscular Disorders Association
  • Inclusion Finland FDUV
  • Key Foundation
  • Kiipula Foundation
  • Laptuote Foundation
  • Meriva Foundation
  • North Karelian Society for Social Security
  • Friends of the Youth
  • Parik Foundation
  • Provincial Government State Office of Southern Finland
  • The Organisation for Respiratory Health in Finland and its regional centres in Kuopio, Hämeenlinna, Lahti and Turku
  • Puustelli Support (association supporting workshop and accommodation)
  • Rehabilitation Foundation
  • The Service Foundation of the Deaf
  • Silta
  • Blue Ribbon Association
  • Social Service Foundation Ote
  • TITRY
  • TOIMI-työvalmennussäätiö (TOIMI – Work Training Foundation)
  • Yritystaito Oy

Projects

Vates Foundation carries out development, research and information projects, both nationally and internationally. We also act as a partner or development partner in projects conducted by others. Currently we cooperate in several national projects. Furthermore, we are involved as expert members in the steering groups of several projects.