The Presidents of Iceland and Finland Visited JA Finland’s Yrityskylä Learning Environment

President of the Republic of Iceland Halla Tómasdóttir and her spouse Björn Skúlason visited, on Wednesday 8 October 2025, together with the President of the Republic of Finland Alexander Stubb and Mrs. Suzanne Innes-Stubb, Yrityskylä by JA Finland in Espoo, Finland.

At Yrityskylä, the presidential couples became acquainted with the award-winning learning concept where sixth- and ninth-grade students gain practical experience of working life, economics, entrepreneurship, and society. The Yrityskylä Primary School, recognized as the world’s best educational innovation, allows pupils to work in different professions in a learning environment resembling a miniature society. The Yrityskylä Secondary School gives students the chance to practice leading companies in international markets.

During the visit, Professor of Education Auli Toom from the University of Helsinki and history and social studies teacher Riitta Mikkola from Karakallio School shared insights into teaching methods in Finland. Director Kaisa Koistinen from JA Finland presented the activities of Yrityskylä learning environment.

Through JA Finland’s Yrityskylä activities, about 90 percent of Finnish sixth- and ninth-graders practice work-life skills through experiential and hands-on pedagogy. In 2024, Yrityskylä was recognized as the Promoter of Financial Skills of the Year by the National Legal Services Authority.