The Green Cultural and Educational Centre ViSiO

The Green Cultural and Educational Centre ViSiO is an adult education centre which offers and promotes non-formal education. ViSiO is a societal educational centre that responds to development needs of society by offering methods and tools for building civil society and active citizenship.

Principal tasks

• To grant ViSiO-support for educational activities and study circles which are arranged in co-operation with ViSiO and its member organisations and partners.
• To provide short and long term education for our members and citizens who are keen to learn more about the sustainable and green world view.
• To participate both in Finland and abroad in projects that focus on civic activity and promote sustainable development.
• To endorse and encourage green cultural activity.

Study circles

Citizens can study in small groups with topics and subjects which are interesting to them. The minimum size for a group is five persons. The students choose together what they want to study, which goals they wish to pursue and which skills they prefer to develop. For example, ViSiO-support can be used to buy literature and DVD study material for study circles. ViSiO also offers training for study circle instructors and learning material for study circles.

Training and educational events

Organisations can organise seminars, courses or arrange lecture series, discussion panels or study trips with ViSiO's education support. This form of support motivates and encourages organisations to arrange high quality events. With this financial support, it is often possible to invite experts and academics to hosted seminars and students can develop the skills and knowledge they require in civil society. ViSiO also plans and carries out tailor-made training based on the different needs organisations may have.

Networking and development projects

ViSiO has broad national and international networks. Our connections include research institutions along with several adult education and cultural centres in different countries.

The focuses of our projects

• Active citizenship and education in political and parliamentary systems.
• Immigrants' organisational and associational activity.
• Training in the field of sustainable development.

In our development projects we have acquired ideas and inspiration from different cultures and the best practices of our partners. This fruitful European and Nordic co-operation has encouraged us to put our new skills and proficiencies into practise in our own organisation.