HYY and University competition for ideas to encourage participation in student organisation events

HYY and the University of Helsinki are organising a competition to support student organisations in their important role of promoting student inclusivity and wellbeing. Pitch your organisation’s idea for an event or activity by 28 February for the chance to win €500 and support for implementing the idea.

Student organisations play an important role in promoting student wellbeing: they offer opportunities for peer interaction and a wide range of activities that enrich students’ lives and integrate them into the community.

In recent years, student organisations have faced major changes and challenges. The period of remote study and isolation during the pandemic, for example, may have made members reluctant to attend events or visit facilities, or left them feeling disconnected from other students.

HYY and the University of Helsinki wish to support the important work of student organisations by organising a competition to come up with ideas that encourage and inspire more students to participate in the organisation’s activities.

Pitch your organisation’s concept for an event or activity that makes it easier for students to get involved and reaches those that don’t usually participate in student organisation activities. The competition is open to both existing concepts and new ideas. Does your organisation’s strength lie in planning engaging activities? Or would interactive sessions be best to encourage your members to participate?

Representatives of HYY and the University will together select the four best ideas. The winners will receive a prize of €500 each as well as support from the University to refine and implement their idea or concept.

When and how can you apply?

The competition will run from 6 to 28 February 2023. Entries must be submitted via a Webropol form, describing the idea in as much detail as possible.

The winners will be announced in the week of 21 March.

What are we looking for?

Representatives of HYY and the University will together assess all entries, focusing on the following:

• The idea for the event or activity must be explained in as much detail as possible.
• The entries must clearly describe how and why the idea encourages and makes it easy for students to participate.
• The entries must carefully justify how the event or activity will ensure that students feel safe when participating.

What can the prize money be used for?

On the entry form, please outline how your organisation would use the prize money for the event or activity.

The prize money can be used for purposes including:

• Facility rental
• Catering (no alcohol)
• Speaker fees
• Material costs

Organisations cannot use the prize money to pay their invoices retrospectively. When planning your entry, please note that the prize money must be used between 20 March and 31 October 2023. The University of Helsinki requires a short written report on the implementation of the idea.

Additional information on the prize money can be obtained from Mari Räsänen, mari.rasanen@helsinki.fi, who heads a project to develop student supervision and wellbeing.

Which organisations are eligible to participate?

The competition is open to all organisations operating under HYY (e.g., subject-specific and faculty organisations, organisations focused on specific interests or hobbies, and student nations). The organisers hope to receive a wide range of entries from organisations of all sizes. The participating organisations need not be registered associations.