Multitalented cultural figures and long-time cooperative advocates A.W. Yrjänä and Kikke Heikkinen share what their cooperative’s achievement means to them.
Pellervo Coop Center has awarded the Cooperative Action of the Year award to Kovameno, a Helsinki-based creative industry cooperative. The award was presented at Pellervo Day on April 2, 2025, in Helsinki.
Founded in 2023, the cooperative has revitalized the cultural scene in Varkaus, a small town in Eastern Finland, by acquiring and developing the Tyyskä cultural quarter. According to the jury, this initiative enhances the cultural and economic life of the area, strengthens employment opportunities in the creative sector, and increases the visibility of Varkaus and the North Savo region.
Musician and author A.W. Yrjänä, one of Kovameno’s founding members, says the award is an incredible recognition of cultural work and cooperative efforts.
“We were finalists in tough competition, and we deeply appreciate being placed on the top podium this time. This recognition energizes us and gives us confidence in the future of our work,” he says.
According to Yrjänä, the award is also a tribute to culture in general, which brings meaning, content, and spiritual wealth to society.
Kovameno has been dedicated to improving cultural and creative industry employment opportunities.
“In addition to our own creative work, we want to build structures that support cultural engagement and help creators earn a living.”
Tyyskä – A cultural quarter in the heart of Varkaus
The cooperative’s most significant project is the development of Tyyskä in Varkaus. The area is evolving into a diverse cultural and event center, hosting concerts, exhibitions, and workshops.
“Tyyskä is a wonderful and inspiring place! Its history and location make it unique. We have space for artist residencies, events, and collaborations with local, national, and international partners,” Yrjänä explains.
“I’m originally from Perä-Pohjola, but I’ve spent decades enjoying Savo, and the unique mix of Savonian madness and wisdom inspires me more and more,” he laughs.
Yrjänä’s wife, Kovameno’s business development lead Kikke Heikkinen, also emphasizes Tyyskä’s importance to local residents:
“Tyyskä is, in a way, a shared project for the people of Varkaus, managed by Kovameno. We want to bring high-quality, distinctive artists and inspiring events to the area.”
For Heikkinen, who is originally from Varkaus, Tyyskä also has personal significance.
Her father, construction foreman Kauko Heikkinen (born 1934), oversaw Tyyskä’s extensive renovation and restoration in the early 1990s, when it was awarded Building of the Year in 1993.
“Personally, Tyyskä is an emotional place for both me and my husband. It feels surreal to be part of the story and continuum of this historic quarter,” Heikkinen says.
Cooperatives supporting the cultural sector
The creative industry has faced major challenges in recent years in Finland, and Kovameno aims to help address them.
“It is significant that Pellervo’s jury has highlighted a cultural operator like us. The creative sector is currently being hit harder than ever, with long-lasting consequences. Every euro invested in culture generates more than tenfold returns for the state treasury,” Heikkinen points out.
She believes that the cooperative model offers cultural professionals stability and a sense of community in uncertain times.
“For us, it’s essential to take care of our members’ financial well-being and job satisfaction. We create employment and income in a difficult industry. At the same time, we are a reliable partner for business clients and an approachable community for consumers.”
In addition to Yrjänä and Heikkinen, Kovameno includes other well-known Finnish cultural figures, such as musician Jouni Hynynen and actress Mari Perankoski, who, like Heikkinen, has roots in Varkaus.
Looking ahead
Kovameno continues its development work at Tyyskä and in the broader cultural field.
“We are a small but agile company with experts in our field. We want to build a strong, curious, and bold cultural atmosphere. Without it, we would just become consumers scrolling through advertisements,” says Yrjänä.
Kovameno primarily organizes small-scale events in the area. The cooperative will also participate in the traditional May Day picnic organized by the Varkaus NOW group, and in August, it will launch the first-ever two-day Pirtinvirta Park Festival in the nearby Independence Park, with Yrjänä and Perankoski serving as artistic directors.
Kikke Heikkinen believes the award will bring more visibility and collaboration opportunities.
“We hope it will help local operators connect with each other and further strengthen Varkaus’ cultural scene. Tyyskä is both an honor and a responsibility for us, and we are ready to take on the challenge with great enthusiasm.”
Pellervo’s Managing Director Mari Kokko: Kovameno’s story is an inspiration
The Cooperative Action of the Year competition was held for the second time. The winner was selected by a jury consisting of Member of Parliament and vice-chair of the parliament’s Cooperative Group Johannes Koskinen, Secretary-General of the UN Global Compact Finland Marja Innanen, and Talouselämä – financial magazine’s editor-in-chief Jussi Kärki.
“Kovameno Cooperative is a fantastic example of how cooperatives can offer a sustainable and community-driven business model for the cultural sector. The development of Tyyskä demonstrates how cooperatives can strengthen local vitality and create new opportunities for creative professionals,” says Pellervo’s Managing Director, Mari Kokko.
According to her, this award highlights how cooperatives can provide solutions to contemporary challenges—including those in the cultural field.
“I hope Kovameno’s story inspires others to adopt the cooperative model to develop their own industries.”
The jury of the Cooperative Action of the Year 2025 competition selected three finalists. The other’s were:
- Regional Cooperative Society Arina’s (S-group) “Standing Together for the North” support that enable hobbies and well-being, especially for underprivileged children and youth. In 2024, members voted to distribute close to 200 000 € for 129 sports clubs, hobby associations, and local aid and charity organizations in Northern Finland.
- LähiTapiola Pohjanmaa Mutual Insurance Company’s donation to develop and build smart wildlife warning systems along Highway 8 in Ostrobothnia to improve traffic safety and reduce moose collisions. The company has invested €160,000 in the project, achieving significant results through collaboration with local partners. This demonstrates cooperative principles in action—responsibility for the environment and care for the community’s well-being.
Text: Riku-Matti Akkanen
Pictures: Tero Pajukallio