UPM Challenges Young People to Reflect on Corporate Responsibility in the Future

14.10.2025

The Spring idea competition gains a new partner as UPM joins in to support young people’s creativity and efforts to build a hopeful future. UPM brings its own challenge to the competition – the UPM Challenge, which invites young people to consider the role of companies in a changing world.

The UPM Challenge encourages young people to come up with solutions that could steer business practices toward a more responsible future. The challenge combines business, values, and impact – themes where UPM believes young people can offer fresh perspectives.

“We believe that young people have the ability to see the future differently, to challenge conventional thinking, and to create something new. They have insights that the changing world needs. We want to support initiatives where young voices are heard,” says Kaisa Vainikka, Director of Social Responsibility at UPM. 

Spring offers young people opportunities to learn, influence, and connect. UPM’s challenge will be presented to youth during Spring idea workshops and events, where participants are inspired to brainstorm and take part in the competition using themed inspiration cards. 

“The UPM Challenge encourages young people to think about corporate responsibility from a new, timely, and meaningful perspective. We believe the topic will resonate with youth and hope many will take on the challenge,” says Katariina Tonttila, Program Manager at the Children and Youth Foundation. 

UPM’s philanthropic support has been coordinated through the company’s Share and Care program for nearly a decade. The support focuses on youth and education, as well as science-based actions to promote biodiversity and mitigate climate change. Enabling children and young people to participate and make a difference is seen as a key factor in supporting the well-being of local communities. 

Spring is an idea competition for 15–19-year-olds that teaches over 20,000 young people annually to create ideas and change the world. Participants join in teams of 3–5, either as part of schoolwork or in their free time. Teams enter the competition with an idea that strengthens belief in the future – it can solve a major global issue, address a local challenge, or create entirely new opportunities. The grand prize includes a summer job and a study trip abroad, during which the winning idea is brought to life.

Read more: thisisspring.fi 

More information

Katariina Tonttila

Head of Program, Spring Idea Competition

katariina.tonttila@nuori.fi

+358 40 540 5194

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