The Nicehearts association, based in Vantaa, has been awarded the inaugural Minna Canth Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to gender equality. The award, amounting to 35,000 Euros, was presented during a seminar held in Kuopio to honor Minna Canth and promote equality. Canth, a significant figure in Finnish literature and women’s rights, was born in 1844 in Tampere, and spent much of her life in Kuopio, where she produced her most notable works.

Nicehearts is dedicated to supporting immigrant women by providing volunteer training and guidance services, as well as peer support groups in the Helsinki metropolitan area and Lappeenranta. The organization's mission aligns with Canth's legacy of advocating for women's rights and equality, making the recognition particularly poignant. Johanna Sjöholm, the executive director of Nicehearts, expressed her surprise and joy at receiving the award, noting the tough competition from other accomplished organizations dedicated to gender equality work.

As the fight for gender equality continues, awards like the Minna Canth Award serve not only to recognize the hard work of organizations like Nicehearts but also to inspire ongoing efforts towards equality in Finnish society. Sjöholm emphasized the importance of such recognition for their work, especially as the organization celebrates its own milestones this year.