Established in honour of the 4H organisation’s centenary year, the Birdhouse Investors activity aims to strengthen biodiversity in Finland, create new habitats for birds, and offer entrepreneurial opportunities for young people under 18 years of age. In this activity, young people build birdhouses throughout the year and install them before the start of the breeding season in agreed-upon locations where there is a need for bird nesting sites.
Saastamoinen Foundation has granted EUR 350,000 in funding for the project, which is set to employ 4H youth for approximately 18,000 working hours during 2025–2028, and create some 3,000 new nesting sites for birds.

The activity offers young people the opportunity to strengthen their connection to nature, learn entrepreneurial skills, and increase their awareness of bird species and biodiversity. The 4H organisation trains young people in bird breeding behaviour and safe birdhouse construction before they build and place them in nature.

Biodiversity also for farms and wetlands

One of the focal points of the Birdhouse Investors activity is the return of the starling to farms. The starling is a traditional farm bird whose population has declined due to reduced grazing and a lack of nesting sites. Through the Birdhouse Investors activity, birdhouses built by 4H youth will be placed near farms and pastures. The activity promotes biodiversity on farms and reduces pest insects, while also offering young people valuable work experience and an understanding of the farm environment.

In addition to farm environments, the Birdhouse Investors activity aims to strengthen biodiversity in wetland habitats. With the help of artificial nests and goldeneye nest boxes, waterfowl are provided with safe nesting sites, especially in areas where natural tree cavities have decreased or nesting sites have otherwise diminished due to human activity. Artificial nests are a way to strengthen the living opportunities for waterfowl in a changing environment.

The Birdhouse Investors activity is a natural continuation of the Finnish 4H Federation’s Taimiteko – Seedling Action project, which Saastamoinen Foundation has supported for several years. The Taimiteko – Seedling Action forests provide an ideal environment for bird nesting sites, and at the same time, the Birdhouse Investors activity also increases the biodiversity of the Taimiteko – Seedling Action forests.

4H is an international organization through which young people can learn about the world for themselves. 4H in Finland arranges leisure activities for children and young people between ages 6 and 28.

Read more about 4h Taimiteko – Seedling Action here.