The starting point of the True Equality program is that everyone has the opportunity to participate equally in the rebuilding of the cultural and hospitality sectors. The program began in 2020 as a joint impact campaign by Pertin Valinta and Kyrö Distillery. Over five years, this campaign has evolved into a program that employed 150 people in 2024.

The True Equality program brings together insiders and outsiders from the cultural and restaurant industries, offering mentorship and organizing various events. The program is produced by Pertin Valinta, an outsider-art production company founded by the punk band Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät, which directs its profits toward employing people with special needs. 

True Equality collaborations are bold and impactful. The outcomes of the program are communicated together with partner organizations through platforms such as the Outsider Art Festival and the Pertin valinnat radio show.

The Pertin valinnat radio show is a new initiative launched by the program. It airs live on Radio Helsinki every Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. The show is hosted by Miika Turunen, Finland’s first disabled music journalist. The broadcast highlights the participants and supporters of the True Equality program. It can be heard live and on-demand here. 

The activities of the True Equality program culminate each year at the Outsider Art Festival, where creators and supporters of the program host events and meet at the True Equality celebration on the festival’s opening day. OAF is held in August as part of the Helsinki Festival, with its opening events taking place on the Night of the Arts.

From 2020 to 2025, several partners have participated in the program, including Kyrö Distillery Company, Tradeka, WSOY, Genelec, Grano, Outshine, Klaus K, Strawberry, the City of Espoo, Grafia, Radio Helsinki, Koolmat, Tarkett, Artek 2nd Cycle, and Bloom deco.

The True Equality program is now welcoming new corporate partners! For more information, please contact Teuvo Merkkiniemi, CEO of Pertin Valinta: teukka@pertinvalinta.fi

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