ViaDia

ViaDia is a Finnish Christian diaconal organisation rooted in the values of the Finnish Free Church (Suomen Vapaakirkko). It was founded in 1936 under the name Kristillinen raittiusliitto ry (Christian Temperance League) and adopted the name ViaDia in 2007 after merging with Sosiaalilähetys (Social Mission). The ViaDia movement consists of a national umbrella organisation, ViaDia ry, together with 38 local associations and 1 regional association, operating in 45 localities across Finland. Its work is organised through seven different fields of activity, including food aid, elderly work, disability work, prison and criminal justice work, multicultural work and substance abuse work. The content of diaconal assistance varies by locality, but the guiding idea is the same: to offer help and hope through shared food, encounter and service. ViaDia describes its mission as bringing support to everyday life, helping people at different stages of life and walking alongside them. The organisation has been active for over 90 years and continues to expand its reach, with a vision of service that transforms Finland. It welcomes donations and volunteers, and in 2025 it announced that British social influencer Krish Kandiah would visit Finland in June as part of its anniversary celebrations.

ViaDia was founded in 1936 under the name Kristillinen raittiusliitto ry (Christian Temperance League). In 2007, Kristillinen raittiusliitto merged with Sosiaalilähetys (Social Mission), and the organisation adopted the name ViaDia. The ViaDia movement is based on the values of the Finnish Free Church (Suomen Vapaakirkko) and operates as a national umbrella organisation for diaconal work. It consists of the central organisation ViaDia ry, 38 local associations and 1 regional association, active in 45 localities across Finland. The organisation has been active for over 90 years, and in 2025 it celebrated its 90th anniversary with events including a visit by British social influencer Krish Kandiah. The executive director of ViaDia ry is Antti Kautto.

• 2025

  Celebrated 90 years of operation; British social influencer Krish Kandiah visited Finland in June.

• 2007

  Kristillinen raittiusliitto merged with Sosiaalilähetys and adopted the name ViaDia.

• 1936

  Founded as Kristillinen raittiusliitto ry (Christian Temperance League).

A national Christian diaconal umbrella organisation providing practical help and hope to vulnerable people across Finland through local associations.

1. 1ViaDia official websiteviadia.fi
2. 2ViaDia - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3ViaDia - Finnish Wikipediafi.wikipedia.org