The Clubhouse Europe Conference – the highlight of our 2025 – arrived in Helsinki this year, taking place from May 20 to 22.
The event was organized by Suomen Klubitalot ry in collaboration with ESKOT ry, with support from Clubhouse Europe and Clubhouse International. The conference was held at the stunning Finlandia Hall, and the evening celebration took place at Sokos Hotel Presidentti.
Helsinki’s summery weather warmly welcomed our guests throughout the event. The three-day conference was filled with inspiring and engaging presentations, encounters with both new and familiar faces, joyful multilingual conversations echoing through the venue, and lively dancing and celebration at the evening party. Over the course of the conference, we connected with more than 200 participants from across Europe.
Thank you all for your hard work. It was wonderful to be able to change thoughts and ideas and connect with colleagues around Finland and Europe. The atmosphere was warm and wellcoming.
Feedback from a participant
The theme of the first day of the conference was Building Strong Networks for Sustainable Impact, and the opening speech was delivered by Finland’s Minister of Social Affairs and Health, Kaisa Juuso. In the spirit of the theme, the day featured talks on networks, the importance of community, and the courage to take action. Ilkka Pekkarinen, a member of the Helsinki Clubhouse, reminded us all that the speaker and the audience are on the same team — and that we should root for each other’s success. The panel discussion Right Place, Right Time: Unlocking the Value of Networking featured voices from the Clubhouse community, enriched by perspectives from the world of marketing. The day concluded with a Wellness Afternoon, where participants could choose an activity that suited their interests. Options included a visit to the Helsinki Clubhouse, a guided tour of Oodi Central Library, or a Nordic walking tour of Helsinki’s sights.
Wednesday, the second day of the conference, focused on the theme Leveraging Data and Knowledge for Strategic Leadership: How Clubhouses Can Use Insights to Drive Impact and Innovation. The day began with a keynote by Daniel Sazonov, the incoming Mayor of Helsinki. In his speech, Sazonov emphasized that everyone must be able to feel like a valued part of the city – and that one of the city’s responsibilities is to ensure that organizations can thrive. Oskar from Suomen Klubitalot ry and Sami from ESKOT ry shared how SROI and data can be used to measure and make visible the impact of Clubhouses. Other speakers included Antti Karvanen (A-lehdet), Lee Kellogg (Clubhouse International), and Professor Panu Pihkala (University of Helsinki). The day concluded with workshops where participants deepened their learning and strengthened their European networks.
Conference Day Three centered on the theme Belonging for All: Exploring Equity Together. Diversity and equity expert, human rights educator, and keynote speaker Dakota Robin opened the day by courageously sharing his personal story. He spoke about how equity requires recognizing individual needs, challenging societal norms, listening, and taking active steps to ensure that everyone feels seen, acknowledged, and safe.
We have to challenge what our culture has taught us.
Dakota Robin
In addition, Thursday offered an overview of the work of the national eClubhouse and featured a panel discussion on the theme Belonging for All: Exploring Equity Together. The panel moved the audience as participants shared powerful, personal experiences. Above all, the discussion conveyed a message of hope: challenges can be transformed into strength with the support of a community. The day concluded with workshops and a reflection session led by Peppi and Päivi, where we revisited what we had learned from the conference and considered what we would take with us as we head home.
Here are a few key things we’re taking with us from the programme:
- Connections grow through trust — real networks are built in everyday moments.
- Sharing your story matters — and learning to measure its impact makes it stronger.
- Accessibility is not a feature — it’s a shared, ongoing process.
- Equity means recognising that everyone’s starting point is different — and adjusting accordingly.
- We need both the numbers and the emotions to create change. One without the other isn’t enough.
Huge thanks to everyone who shared their ideas, their time, and their hearts. This truly was a team effort!
Psst! You can find photos from the event and the speakers’ slide presentations in the conference’s Howspace workspace. You can still share your feedback there as well. The pages are accessible only to conference participants.