Entrepreneurship vouchers for 13-28 year olds

The City of Imatra, in collaboration with 4H, will also support youth entrepreneurship this year. This year, in addition to Imatra, entrepreneurship vouchers will be distributed in Ruokolahti, Rautjärvi and Parikkala.With the entrepreneurship voucher, which comes alongside the summer work voucher, young people aged 13-28 from Imatra, Ruokolahti, Rautjärvi or Parikkala can safely try out entrepreneurship through the 4H entrepreneurial path.

Application period

The application period for the entrepreneurship voucher is 16.2-8.3.2026.

Link to electronic application 

Information about the entrepreneurship voucher 

• The vouchers are intended for young people aged 13-28 from Imatra, Ruokolahti, Rautjärvi and Parikkala.
• A young person can only be granted a summer work voucher or an entrepreneurship voucher at the same time, not both. 
• €350 worth of banknotes are being distributed:
  Imatra 7 pcs, Ruokolahti 4 pcs, Rautjärvi 5 pcs, Parikkala 5 pcs
  • The value of the voucher is allocated to company establishment costs, 4H membership fees, insurance, material purchases for business operations, etc. 
  • Income is taxable.
• In the application phase, there must be a preliminary idea/plan for future business activities.
• The entire business process takes approximately 3 months (from making the plan to submitting the final report). However, you can continue your business operations after the process is complete if you wish. 
• 4H's contact person helps with making written plans and announcements and accompanies you throughout the whole entrepreneurial process. 
• It is possible to get credits for entrepreneurship - check with your educational institution if it accepts the credits you get from your entrepreneurship (certificate from 4H). 
• The young person receives a work certificate for working as an entrepreneur.

The young entrepreneur commits

• To start 4H entrepreneurship and pay the 4H membership fee (you can pay the voucher for the first installment) and take out insurance
• Participate in two coaching sessions organized by 4H and complete the assigned homework.
  • The days will be announced during the application phase. 
  • 4H coaching sessions for young people in Imatra are organized at Ohjaamo. 
  • 4H coaching sessions are organized for young people from Ruokolahti, Rautjärvi and Parikkalä in Simpele, Rautjärvi. For young people from neighboring municipalities, carpooling to Sopukka is organized as needed, but remote connection is also possible.
  • Through education, young people learn to create e.g. business plan, Y-ID (not mandatory), declaration of incorporation, practical plans, and to prepare for filing a tax return
• Keep records of business income and expenses and submit a summary of them to 4H and Ohjaamo at the end of the business period. 
• The minimum target for turnover is set at 50e. 
• to report in writing on their business activities

• check your own tax card and file a tax return (report your income to the tax authorities). 

  Young people receive help with all practical matters from the 4H entrepreneurship expert and the Ohjaamo. 

The application link opens on February 16th at 7:00 AM.

Vouchers are issued based on applications that meet the criteria in order of application. 

Link to electronic application 

More information:

Imatra: Special Youth Worker Mari Tentke, tel. 040 137 1927, mari.tentke.imatra.fi (mari[dot]tentke[dot][at]imatra[dot]fi) 

Ruokolahti: Employment Coordinator Anne Rasimus, tel. 044 449 1213, anne.rasimusreokolahti.fi (anne[dot]rasimus[at]ruokolahti[dot]fi) 

Rautjärvi: Employment Coordinator Pipsa Vuorela, tel. 040 658 5814, pipsa.vuorelarautjarvi.fi (pipsa[dot]vuorela[at]rautjarvi[dot]fi) 

Parikkala: Employment counselor Eija Europaeus, tel. 050 524 9575, eija.europaeusparikkala.fi (eija[dot]europaeus[at]parikkala[dot]fi) 

West Saimaa 4H: Merja Kuukka, tel. 0505206166 sea. moon4h.fi (merja[dot]kuukka[at]4h[dot]fi) (Imatra)

Parikkala 4H: Heidi (Heta) Soikkeli, tel. 044 581 7705, parikkal4h.fi (parikkala[at]4h[dot]fi) (Ruokolahti, Rautjärvi, Parikkala)