Commu becomes the first Finnish company selected for an international development programme in China

The World Youth Development Forum was launched in 2022 by Chinese President Xi Jinping, with the aim of pooling young people's strength to advance the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Forum has convened annually since then, drawing participants from more than 100 countries each year. Its parallel Acceleration Week has selected and supported more than 200 youth-led Excellence Programs worldwide as part of the Action Plan for Global Youth Development.

Commu, the Finnish community and mutual-aid app known as "Tinder for Good", was chosen from among tens of thousands of applicants to join this programme.

In practice, selection means Commu is now part of an international network of more than 200 youth-led programmes. The programme includes a dedicated development track, access to international forums, and opportunities to showcase Commu to a global audience and potential partners.

"It's wonderful that Finnish community technology is being noticed as far away as China, and that we get to bring it to the world. This recognition belongs to our helpers, to the people who need help, and to all our customers who have built Commu with us," says Commu founder and CEO Karoliina Kauhanen, who represented Finland at conferences in Shanghai, Wuhan, and Beijing.

"It's rare for a small Finnish company to be part of an international programme of this scale. For us, it's proof that a solution built for everyday help and community resonates globally too," Kauhanen continues. "This international recognition brings visibility to the Nordic model, where community and preparedness are built with digital tools, not through public-sector work alone."

Commu is a Finnish app for everyday help and community, connecting neighbors who need a hand with those willing to lend one. That help can be anything from companionship and conversation to food assistance, pet care, or everyday tasks like chopping firewood. The app is currently available in Finland, Sweden, Norway, and the United Kingdom, and has already facilitated more than 60,000 acts of help among close to 200,000 users.

More than 30 municipalities use Commu to build community and crisis preparedness. Commu has previously received international recognition, including from United Nations, a Global ESG Award (March 2026) and the Best Sustainable City Solution award at the Nordic Proptech Awards.