The Federation of Swedish Ostrobothnia for Education and Culture

SÖFUK (Federation of Swedish Municipalities in Ostrobothnia for Education and Culture) works for an active and creative Swedish Ostrobothnia, promoting regional and local diversity as well as strong identity and open culture.

For this purpose, SÖFUK focuses on:

• The Swedish language in our bilingual society
• Better visibility in Ostrobothnia
• Culture and identity
• Up-to-date education
• Creativity and activity – locally, regionally and nationally

SÖFUK consists of fourteen municipalities along the Ostrobothnian coastline, from Kokkola in the north down to Kristinestad in the south. SÖFUK maintains the vocational college Yrkesakademin i Österbotten, theatre Wasa Teater – Österbottens regionteater and culture organization KulturÖsterbotten. Further, it is a partner in the limited company Ab Yrkeshögskolan vid Åbo Akademi, which maintains Novia polytechnic.Yrkesakademin i Österbottens is the biggest vocational college for Swedish-speaking students in Finland. Wasa Teater – Österbottens regionteater was founded in 1919, and it is the only professional Swedish-speaking theatre in Ostrobothnia. KulturÖsterbottens promotes and develops regional and local culture.SÖFUK has made substantial investments in building premises for Swedish-speaking vocational education and training at Campus Kungsgården and Campus Brändö in Vaasa. The Kungsgården project cost 35 million euros. The campus investments created unique environments for studies, research and development.

 

• Maintain vocational upper secondary education and training for the young and adults as well as upper secondary vocational education and training and apprenticeship training. SÖFUK may also provide general and other secondary education in Swedish-speaking Ostrobothnia.
• Maintain Swedish regional theatre in Swedish-speaking Ostrobothnia.
• Act as cooperation organ for its members in issues related to culture and education.
  Lobbying for the common good of its members and the Swedish-speaking population in Ostrobothnia.
• Own and possess shares in Ab Yrkeshögskolan vid Åbo Akademi as well as shares and securities in other companies.

Director of SÖFUK is Ulrica Karp.Further information about Yrkesakademin i Österbotten at the website www.yrkesakademin.fi and about KulturÖsterbotten at www.kulturosterbotten.fi. Wasa Teater – Österbottens regionteater presents its activities in Swedish at www.wasateater.fi.