The first 4H organization started in the USA in the beginning of 20th century and the idea is spread to many countries in Europe and especially in northern Europe. 4H is an advisory organisation teaching practical skills to young people in rural areas. It supplements the secondary school education by teaching in a non formal way and by encouraging young people to be active and enterprising. The four H:s stand for:

• Head – Thinking, 4H makes young people think as team members
• Heart – Feeling, The leaders help the members to see different ways of handling problems
• Hands – Doing, Learning by doing
• Health – Living, 4H encourage young people to make good choices. 4H are working for a healthy lifestyle in a good environment

The Finnish Swedish 4H is particularly for the Swedish minority in Finland (which 6 % of the population) and has ca 5000 members and almost 40 employees working in about 30 local clubs along the coastline of Finland where the Swedish minority lives. Most of the members are between 8 and 15 years old and thereby also most of the traditional activities are adjusted to this age group. Courses and camps are arranged on local, regional and national level and these are organized by employed local club leaders and by older 4H members. The regular activities, such as cooking, baking, handicraft courses are usually held in the afternoon in schools or clubhouses while dog sitter courses, other animal courses, forestcare and farming trainings are held on other for the activity suitable places.

For the members between 16 and 25 years there are a lot of possibilities to take part in international camps, courses and seminars and also to instruct the younger members in their local activities. The co-operation “Nordisk samorganisation for ungdomsarbejde” (NSU) between the Nordic counties has already been working in nearly ten years and increased all the time. NSU and the national organization arrange every summer camps, cultural weeks, leader educations and adventure trips. The membership in the umbrella organization Rural Youth Europe has offered many European seminars the last three years. Participating and organizing international activities within the EU Youth Program is arranged by the young members themselves and for the moment there is many Action 1 and 3 going on.