Empowering People
Cultivating Purposes
Building Flourishing Futures
We share Finnish Values through online program, workshops and retreats to help global people live healthier, more meaningful lives and truly flourishing.
PROBLEM & MISSION
Since COVID-19, many people have been working and living more within their own spaces. In the age of AI, people are sometimes unsure whether they are communicating with a person or a machine. As a result, face-to-face meetings, meaningful conversations, and genuine connections in both business and everyday life are increasingly valued.
Research on happiness shows that strong relationships, community involvement, and social connection are among the most important foundations of well-being. Our mission is to create a safe and trusting space where like-minded people can meet through shared activities and grow together.
OUR SOLUTION
As Finnish philosopher and happiness researcher Frank Martela reminds us, happiness is not something to pursue—it is something that naturally emerges when we live a meaningful life. At the Finnish Happiness Academy, we help people stop chasing happiness and start building the conditions in which it can flourish.
Through our HEART™ online learning program, immersive workshops, Finnish happiness retreats, and community experiences, we transform the science and philosophy of happiness into practical everyday living. Inspired by the wisdom of Finland—the world’s happiest country—we combine Finnish values with positive psychology, nature-based wellbeing, holistic nutrition, emotional resilience, and the best happiness practices from around the world.
At the heart of our work is the belief that every person can become an agent of positive change. Together, we are building a global community of people who believe that a flourishing future begins with flourishing people.
What makes you happy?
Andre
Reidar
Ted
Colin
Mikko-Pekka
Kamilla
Sari
Karoliina
Alisa
Ann
Kristiina
Damon
Laura
Majella
Marko
Erson
Riika
Eerik
A series of short videos, coming soon. As a teaser…our first guests
Mikko-Pekka
from Finland
Damon
from the USA
Marko
from Finland
Erson
from Albania
Erson
Our impact so far
1,500
Participants in our workshops—from politicians and venture capitalists to community leaders and students.
80
CEOs have tested and supported the workshop concept
1000
Students will take part in our upcoming UNESCO sustainability project
Happiness Workshops
Lasting transformation happens through meaningful human connection and shared experiences. That’s why we bring people together to cook, create, reflect, volunteer, explore nature, and support one another in our designed workshops. Whether preparing nourishing meals, enjoying a traditional Finnish sauna, creating art with family, walking through forests, or sharing heartfelt conversations, every experience is designed to strengthen relationships and deepen our understanding of what truly matters.
With proof, it is a very effective way for venture capitalists to know CEOs and teams faster and more authentically.
Food & Nutrition
Mindful Five Sense & Healing
- Happy Dumplings Workshop
- Nutrition for easing the menopause period
- Food for preventing Alzheimer’s
- Mindful tea ceremony with life reflection
Nature & Sustainability
Recharge with Nature & Purpose Thinking
- Recognize edible plants in Finnish forests
- Forest Escape game on microplastic topics
- Cycle up wasted plastic bags into artistic wallets or passport covers
- Make beeswax cloth wraps to replace daily plastic use
Art & Music
Happy Flow & Co-creating
- Leadership learning from conducting
- Ecological painting with mindfulness on parenting
- Ceramics with happiness
- DJ experience to co-create a team happy song
Beauty & Wellbeing
Nature Power & Balance Your Body
- Essential oil workshop for beauty and longevity
- Daily 20-minute movement at home for body fitness
- Sound bowl healing for better sleep and brain fog relief
Testimonials
❦
Karoliina, age 12
I never thought I could make my favorite pet rabbit as our toilet sign. The coach was very experienced.
He lead us to find our ideal animal to take then teach us how to use software to edit, then how to get the 3D machine to print what I want the size and dimension with color what I like.
I really enjoy the result and it open my interests on how technology can help our daily. Through the workshop we also discovered what are our strengths, so it make me to feel I could to do design related work in the future.
Weiliang Liu, age 14
About plastic workshop through this workshop, i understand how much plastic waste is around us and how it effects to our health on daily basis.
Unfortunately, we take one credit card microplastic every week. When I see the whales with plastic in stomachs, I am thinking how much of microplastic in my blood vessels which can not be circulated out of body.
When I can reuse those waste plastic bag to make artistic and useful and fictional bank card pouch for mother, I feel I contributed to the world waste with my efforts.
It make me think the world where we are living, individual can act daily to protect our planet.
Jincheng Song, age 15
It is surprise to me after I joined 7 international summer school, from USA to Britain, from Singapore to Finland.
The most I remember and call for action is the summer camp in Finland. We were as group present by our body without wording to tell what we can do for global warming. I was assigned to the youth activist group.
By discussion with other youth, I learned more what we can do and what in Finland youth are doing for making a world a better place. We have to screen seven actions and try to let others understand it without words. It was UN international conference set up.
That performing was so much fun and it leads me today interests to keep use as little as plastic bags and containers, as well as no waste of things.
Uli
Mindful Tea & Leadership
It was mind-opening to discover how much meaning can be found in the Chinese tea ceremony. I learned how the aroma, taste, touch, sound and appearance of tea can awaken all five senses and bring us fully into the present moment. What fascinated me most was following the complete journey of tea—from the leaf and its natural benefits to the final moment of drinking—and seeing how this simple process can calm the mind and encourage reflection on our own lives. It was a beautiful experience to share with teammates, and I would highly recommend it for company retreats and teams that want to slow down, connect and experience something meaningful together.
Mai
Nordic Herbal Wellbeing
For the first time, I realised just how rich the Finnish forest is in edible plants and herbs. It was fascinating to learn what we can safely gather from nature, understand their nutritional value and discover how different plants can support our wellbeing and various organs in the body. My favourite part was learning that wild forest herbs could be added to dumplings—they were delicious! I had never thought of using them that way. I also loved discovering how forest ingredients can be used in something as simple as a fresh salad. I highly recommend this workshop to anyone who wants to experience Finnish nature in a completely new way.
Sofia
Essential Oils Workshop
The essential oil was wonderful. I felt its effects immediately, especially in easing emotional stress.
Inga
Essential Oils Workshop
The oil was very helpful for my headaches and neck pain, and I noticed a difference within about 20 minutes. On a couple of occasions, when I felt the warning signs of a headache, I applied the oil and the headache did not develop. I found it very effective for relieving tension in my face, mind, head and neck.
Workshop participants
Essential Oils Workshop
Two participants recommended the essential oils based on their own experiences. The workshop was led by professional experts from Finland and Canada, and it was truly eye-opening to gain a deeper understanding of how essential oils can affect the body.
Upeksha & Logan
Forest Escape Game
This is one of the best ways to enjoy nature. We already love spending time outdoors, but being in the forest with friends while taking part in an engaging escape game is a fantastic idea. Whether it is raining or sunny, there are solutions for both. It was also valuable to learn how we can act more responsibly, especially regarding plastic pollution. We had so much fun and felt happy and relaxed afterwards. It is an excellent company retreat and a wonderful team-building day in nature.
Christina
Beeswax Wraps Workshop
Wow! I have always looked for ways to reduce plastic use in daily life, especially plastic wrap. Now I have discovered an amazing reusable solution for wrapping fruit, vegetables and leftover food, helping to keep them fresh and reduce the risk of mould. It is natural, useful, practical and easy to make. Joining the workshop and learning these skills was a wonderful experience.
Panye
Conductor Experience — Leadership Reflection
I am a professional musician with the Estonian Philharmonic Orchestra, and although I have spent my whole life as a player, I had never experienced the conductor’s role. Through this experience, I gained a deeper understanding of how to use my body and energy to create a flow of giving and receiving between the conductor and the players. I learned how important it is to listen, receive and understand this reciprocal energy. It also gave me a new perspective on becoming a better leader and teacher—not only by leading and giving direction, but also by listening and receiving. It was an especially meaningful reflection on leadership.