About Nordia
Over two decades of building community, championing wellbeing, and opening doors for the people of Oulu.
Our Mission
Wellbeing for every stage of life
Nordia Community Centre was founded in 2003 with a simple but powerful belief: that every person in Oulu deserves access to education, support, and a sense of belonging — regardless of age, background, or ability.
What began as a small adult education centre with 200 members has grown into Northern Finland's largest community wellbeing organisation, serving over 12,000 members annually through 500+ courses, five community service streams, and an accredited Open University programme.
We are a registered non-profit, funded through a combination of membership fees, course income, municipal grants, and the generous support of our partners and donors. Every euro we receive goes directly back into the community.
What We Stand For
Our values
Compassion
We meet every person with warmth, empathy, and genuine care — no matter their background or circumstances.
Inclusion
Nordia is a place for everyone. We celebrate diversity and actively work to remove barriers to participation.
Community
We believe people thrive when they are connected. Everything we do is designed to strengthen bonds and belonging.
Lifelong Learning
Curiosity has no age limit. We champion education and personal growth at every stage of life.
Integrity
We are transparent, accountable, and honest in everything we do — with our members, partners, and funders.
Sustainability
We take our responsibility to the environment seriously, embedding sustainable practices across all our operations.
Our Journey
Two decades of growth
Founded
Nordia Community Centre opens its doors in central Oulu with 12 staff and 200 members.
Open University Launch
Partnership with the University of Oulu brings accredited part-time study to the community.
New Building
We move into our purpose-built 3,200 m² facility, doubling our capacity for courses and services.
Multicultural Hub
Dedicated multicultural integration services launched, serving newcomers from over 40 countries.
Digital Expansion
Online and blended learning introduced, keeping our community connected through the pandemic.
12,000 Members
Nordia reaches a milestone of 12,000 active members — the largest community centre in Northern Finland.
The People Behind Nordia
Meet our leadership team
Nordia is powered by 40 dedicated professionals and over 120 volunteers. Here are the people who lead our work.
Kaisa Mäkinen
Executive Director
Kaisa has led Nordia since 2015, bringing 20 years of experience in non-profit management and community development across Northern Finland. She holds a Masters in Social Policy from the University of Oulu.
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Petri Leinonen
Head of Programmes
Petri oversees all 500+ courses and educational programmes at Nordia. A former secondary school teacher, he is passionate about making learning accessible to adults of all backgrounds.
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Amara Diallo
Community Services Manager
Amara leads our social work, elderly care, and multicultural integration teams. She joined Nordia in 2018 after a decade working with refugee support organisations in Helsinki and Tampere.
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Juhani Virtanen
Open University Coordinator
Juhani manages our partnerships with the University of Oulu and Oulu UAS, ensuring our academic programmes meet the highest standards. He holds a PhD in Education from Tampere University.
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Sari Korhonen
Wellbeing Lead
Sari coordinates our mental health, yoga, and wellness programmes. A qualified counsellor and mindfulness teacher, she has been with Nordia since its founding in 2003.
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Mikael Heikkinen
Finance & Operations
Mikael keeps Nordia running smoothly — from facilities management to financial reporting. He previously worked in municipal administration for the City of Oulu for 12 years.
[email protected]Our Facilities
A space built for community
Our 3,200 m² centre in central Oulu houses 14 activity rooms, a library, a professional kitchen, a fitness studio, and a welcoming social lounge. Click any image to explore.
Find Us
We are in the heart of Oulu
Address
Hallituskatu 7
90100 Oulu, Finland
Main Reception
+358 8 555 0100
General Enquiries
Opening Hours
Become part of the Nordia community
Whether you want to learn something new, find support, or simply meet people — there is a place for you here.