Curious about meeting new people?
CIRKELN is a social networking program that is intended to encourage two way integration in Helsinki and the Capital Region. It is for newcomers and Finns, or people who have found a home in the Finnish culture, who are interested in actively meeting new people and arranging social activities together.
How CIRKELN Works
Step 1: Apply online
Tell us a little about yourself, your interests, and the languages you speak.
Step 2: Get matched
The CIRKELN coordinator will match you with several others who share similar interests and a common language. Matching happens once a month, usually around the middle of the month.
Step 3: Meet your CIRKELN group
A WhatsApp group is created where everyone starts by introducing themselves.
Step 4: Plan your first meet-up
From there, your CIRKELN group takes the lead! Together you suggest activities, decide on a time and place, and start connecting. You can even meet here at Luckan!
✨ CIRKELN works best when everyone participates actively – the more you contribute, the more fun and successful your group will be.
What Makes a CIRKELN Group Successful?
✔ Introduce yourself in the WhatsApp group
✔ Suggest an activity or time to meet
✔ Stay active in the conversation
💡 Tip: Groups that arrange their first meet-up within the first two weeks tend to stay the most active!
Participant Expectations: By signing up, you agree to participate actively in your group’s WhatsApp conversation and help arrange at least one meet-up. CIRKELN is designed for people who want to build real connections, not just browse.
🎁 Bonus! Each group will also be invited to a CIRKELN mingle, an exclusive social event hosted by Luckan in Helsinki, where you have the opportunity to meet many more people from other groups. It’s another chance to connect and do fun, interactive activities together.
*This event is part of the International House Helsinki Friend Program and supported by the City of Helsinki
FAQ
Cirkeln means “The circle” in Swedish. It’s a program designed to facilitate connections with new people. Our coordinator is here to create social circles based on participants’ shared interests and language/s.
As a group, you all decide and arrange what to do together. It’s good to offer some ideas for activities and suitable days to meet. Below, you’ll find some ideas to ignite your inspiration:
NATURE: Hiking, gardening, exploring the wilderness, adopting an ecological lifestyle, or embracing environmental causes.
CULTURE: Music, literature, poetry, movies, languages, philosophy, education, art and visiting museums.
SPORTS: We celebrate the joy of movement, whether it’s a gym session, dancing, skiing, boxing, swimming, yoga, or a simple stroll – the choice is yours.
LIFESTYLE: Explore handicrafts, cooking, fashion, or extend a helping hand through volunteering.
Please keep an open heart and mind. Your presence is a treasured addition to our warm and welcoming community.
CIRKELN welcomes all individuals aged 18 and above who reside within the Helsinki capital region. If you have any specific requirements or needs, please don’t hesitate to share them with us. This way we can work together to find the most suitable solutions for you.
Join CIRKELN by filling in the registration form. You will receive an email confirmation upon signing up. The coordinator will contact you via email once a suitable group has been found for you. A WhatsApp group will be created with your fellow Cirkeln participants and you will be invited to introduce yourselves and begin arranging to meet. New participants are usuallly matched around the middle of the month. Though most registrations are processed between 1-4 weeks, please bear in mind that it could take up to 6 weeks during holiday periods. Your personal data is managed according to our GDPR regulation.
What brings CIRKELN together are the shared joys of a common spoken language and mutual interests. There’s no need to worry about your language skills; all that truly matters is your ability to express yourself and connect with others. Sharing similar interests paves the way for wonderful moments spent together. Furthermore, this is a great opportunity to explore new interests.
We understand that initiating the first interaction with new people can sometimes be a bit challenging. That’s why we’re here to offer our support and hope that this can be another way for you to make new connections.
Participants are expected to actively take part by instigating and making arrangements together. All participants are to be valued equally and treated with respect. This includes being sure to arrive on time for CIRKELN meetings. If you cannot attend, please inform everyone. If you face challenges or uncertainties, contact us, and in case of emergencies, dial 112.
It’s up to you. This program is for you and Cirkeln really is what you make of it. The more active you are in suggesting meet up ideas, the more successful it can be. Once you have had a meet up, you can arrange more activities together or you can stay in touch with whomever you wish. You can participate in CIRKELN as many times as you like; just inform the coordinator if you’d like to be added to another new group. CIRKELN participants are also warmly welcome to join other Luckan activities. Your valuable feedback is appreciated to help us develop and continue our services.
