SDG: 10

We try to prevent social exclusion through sports, school work and leisure time

Teemu Vartiamäki & Ville Turkka
ICEHEARTS
Icehearts was established in 1996 in Vantaa, Finland. Icehearts uses team sports as a tool for engaging children in social work. The model provides consistent long-term support for vulnerable children at a time where children with special needs (and their families) are met by numerous professionals. Each team is led by a mentor who supports the selected children at school, after school and at home for 12 years. We have now 42 teams in 11 cities in Finland. 650 children are in Icehearts.

Project

Icehearts uses team sports as a tool for engaging children with social work. The model provides consistent long-term support for vulnerable children at a time where children with special needs (and their families) are met by numerous professionals. Each team is led by a mentor who supports the selected children at school, after school and at home for 12 years. Children who require special support and who have been recognized as being at risk of social exclusion early on are selected to a team.

Impact story

Dr. Hilli used the return on investment model by Sitra, data from the 1987 cohort, and data from an Icehearts team that graduated in 2016 to calculate the return on investment for Icehearts. According to his calculations one Icehearts team saves 857 000€ in social costs during its lifespan. In addition, Icehearts managed to cut down the number of NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) in half - mounting up to a 1,9 million € decrease in state expenditure. Ultimately, one Icehearts team saves 2,8 million euros (this is a minimum estimate). Cost of crime has not been incorporated into the model. Additionally, if the cycle of generational poverty can be stopped, the estimate is even bigger.
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