In 2026, the Common Responsibility Campaign seeks to help older people

The Common Responsibility Campaign for 2026 begins in February. It supports elderly outreach, which reinforces everyday security and companionship, especially for elderly people who live at home. Common Responsibility ran a survey for professionals, which found that the elderly have lost their faith that they will be receiving help. “Many of them feel like they’re a burden,” according to the responses.

Help with no strings attached

Common Responsibility is a major campaign by Finland’s Evangelical Lutheran Church that helps the most vulnerable people, irrespective of their origin, faith or political opinion in Finland and in global disaster areas. The campaign donations reach people through Common Responsibility’s experienced diaconal, social and development aid partners.

In 2026, the Campaign’s proceeds are funnelled to local helpers through the Finnish Union for Senior Services VALLI ry’s outreach work, and through the Finland Evangelical Lutheran Parishes. International crisis aid is funnelled through Finn Church Aid, Finland’s largest international aid organisation.

“Common Responsibility is how we Finns love our neighbours: In times of hardship, we do to others as we would want them to do unto us. Throughout its 75 years of existence, Common Responsibility has provided aid to the most vulnerable and brought society’s shortcomings to light. In 2026, our focus in on the elderly: to not leave a single senior citizen behind, whether at home or in a crisis,” says Ruut Lemmetyinen, Fundraising Manager at The Church Resources Agency.

Espoo Parishes’ local recipients from the 2026 campaign proceeds

Among others, the local campaign proceeds from the Espoo Parishes will go towards transport fees of the Kultavilja Club, which supports elderly people with reduced mobility in Espoonlahti Parish area. And also helping carers and the close family that they look after in Espoo Cathedral Parish area, through the Länsi-Uudenmaan omaishoitajat ry (Western Uusimaa Caregiver Association) and through the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County (Luvn) Home Care unit. Proceeds will also go to bringing music to nursing homes in Olari, and grocery gift card distribution by Tapiola Parish diaconal service.

At Espoonlahden seurakunta, the Common Responsibility Campaign Manager is a volunteer: Special Education Teacher Laura Kuivalainen. What was your motivation to run the campaign in your parish?

“When I was a young adult, I was elected to the Parish Council. I was thinking about what I could do for the parish, and then I got invited to join the Common Responsibility programme. That felt like a good way to help.”

“Then when they wanted a volunteer to run the campaign, I put up my hand. We have a strong team of volunteers for Common Responsibility,” says Kuivalainen.

More elderly outreach

The Finnish Union for Senior Services VALLI ry has spent over a decade developing their elderly outreach mission. The work they do has exposed the loneliness and insecurity of the elderly, and they have been directing people to the support they need through for example Iloa arkeen activities and through extensive volunteer action, among others.

“Currently, we are seeing the number of people who need help grow, revealing a greater need for elderly outreach. The Finnish Union for Senior Services VALLI ry is happy to work with Common Responsibility. This campaign enables more extensive elderly outreach in Finland,” says Virpi Dufva, Executive Director at VALLI ry.

Aid targets in 2026

• 50% in Finland: diaconal work of the Evangelical Lutheran Parishes on the local level (30%) and the elderly outreach coordinated by the Finnish Union for Senior Services VALLI ry (20%).
• 50% for international aid: Disaster and rebuilding efforts as well as education in global crisis areas, for example in Nepal, through Finn Church Aid.

The patron for the Yhteisvastuu (Common Responsibility) Campaign is the President of Finland, Alexander Stubb.

The launch for the 2026 campaign will be on a Sunday Worship Service that is broadcast live on television on Sunday, 1 February at 10 a.m. on Yle TV1, from Kiihtelysvaara Church in Joensuu. The service will be officiated by Bishop Jari Jolkkonen of the Diocese of Kuopio.

Music will be provided by Minna Raassina and the Majatalokuoro choir from the Vaara-Karjala Parish. At the conclusion of the Worship Service, at 10:55 a.m., the President’s opening address will be broadcast on television.