The association has had an eventful and rather heavy second year of activity. The circular economy is growing and interesting. So does SHT. With almost a hundred members and a wide range of offers of cooperation, one of the challenges has been to focus on the essentials. To think carefully about what the association's mission is - what it is in the present, what it will be in the future. As in business, you have to prioritise, prune and focus on replicating what works, but also on constantly creating something new. 

2025 has been a mixed year for the whole sector. Far too many circular economy entrepreneurs have been forced to close down or consider doing so. Unfortunately, the growth and attractiveness of the circular economy has not been channelled into increased activity and income for many smaller circular entrepreneurs, quite the opposite. The global turmoil, the domestic economic situation, competition from the underground economy, international second hand sales platforms, increased business costs, the YEL reform and the particularly harsh VAT practices for circular economy entrepreneurs are creating many challenges for small business operators. We need courage, vision and support from decision-makers to ensure that the common lofty goals of the circular economy can also be achieved at grassroots level, where the best circular economy expertise and contact with consumers can be found.

”The global turmoil, the domestic economic situation, competition from the underground economy, international second-hand sales platforms, rising business costs, the YEL reform and the particularly harsh VAT practices for circular economy businesses present many challenges for small business operators.”

The imbalance in competition within the sector is another phenomenon that cannot be ignored. It has become a problem that is eating away at the sector from within. This is another issue that needs to be discussed openly, a constructive debate that strengthens the sector as a whole needs to be initiated, and we must actively seek to improve the situation with concrete proposals, not just complaints. 

So now both the SHT Association and circular economy companies are asking for focus, looking to the future and believing. Exploring, articulating and improving our own activities must be at the heart of this - focusing resources on communication and branding. Provide good models, a map to the circular economy. Demonstrate to an ever-expanding customer base that a quality product and service is worth the price and, with a focus on quality not quantity, is also competitive. And best of all, recycling euros in a circular economy is in the interests of all of us, including the community and the environment. 

In the past year, the SHT Association has focused on strengthening its identity, strengthening the structure of the association and increasing its visibility, thereby strengthening not only the second hand activities and actors in Tampere but also in Finland as a whole. A concrete example of this is the new SHT website and the Second Hand Tampere map, published for the second time free of charge for all users and the 200 or so circular economy operators in Tampere. These have made our fantastic circular economy community more visible and attractive not only in Tampere but also beyond the borders of Tampere and Finland.

”a quality product and service is worth the price and, by focusing on quality rather than quantity, is also competitive. And best of all, recycling euros in a circular economy is in the interests of all of us, including the community and the environment.”

This year, the focus has been on the core theme of the association, namely cooperation - promoting collaboration between the association and its members, stakeholders, the city and its citizens, and exploiting interfaces for the common benefit of all. During the year, we have seen the many challenges but also the opportunities for the sector and for the Association. Above all, we have seen that there is strength in numbers. We would like to thank all our members for their involvement. Just paying the membership fee has made it possible to work for the common good. Many members have also rolled up their sleeves and come forward to help in a tangible way, both with map distribution and with events. Thank you! Thanks also go to our partners such as sponsors! Your support is not only financial but also emotional. Thank you! 

Thanks are also due to the SHT Board. It has also been a hard team to work hard - even if it is not a job for any of us. But it is important to us. A well-functioning and motivated board is the lifeblood of the association - there is no association without members but there is no association without a board. I myself have the honour of continuing as President of the Association for the next term and I will do my best to do so. Best now means vision and focus - big even unrealistic goals, approached with determination through realistic milestones. And, of course, together. 

Working together is at the heart of SHT. And not just within the association. In 2025, nearly half a million views on the association's non-paid IGs, a doubling of followers, a successful patronage campaign to enable a new map, repair and maintenance workshop experiments with the city, the acquisition of the Kaleva Hall mezzanine and the community activities carried out there, the popular Tavara Station Second Hand event, Being invited to the Future Arena and receiving attention from city decision-makers there, and the publications of Visit Tampere and Rakas Tamperee, all speak of a wider circular economy community - a phenomenon much bigger than ourselves and at least a moral support for our activities. 

”vision and focus - big, even unrealistic goals, approached with determination through realistic milestones. And, of course, together.”

Next, we also need more financial support. The Mansen Masses applied for in late 2025 and received for 2026 are not only a strong signal and a moral mandate from the citizens, but also an indication that there is a growing willingness to allocate public money to such activities. And money for quality work is needed. It is clear that there has been far too much to do for the resources of the association, far too much. More resources are needed and work in this area will continue apace in 2026 so that the Association can see 2027.

In 2025, we have promoted our vision of sustainable development, a high-quality circular economy, prosperous circular economy businesses and entrepreneurs, and Tampere as an attractive hub for second hand and sustainable living. And we will continue to do so in 2026. Not only in the actual activities, but also as compasses and messengers. Together, we all form the sector's own image and voice, which SHT will promote. We will achieve more and faster the more authors, acts, members, volunteers, shared SHT publications or maps and euros are involved in 2026. The benefit and therefore the responsibility is shared.

You are warmly welcome to participate in SHT's activities, e.g. in working groups, WA-group or otherwise volunteer. In 2026, SHT will implement the Mansen Massies Repair City project, the professional days together with Renet on 14-15 April and the Second Hand event on 17 October. In addition, we will promote the second hand department store plan and the reduction of VAT in the circular economy. The SHT map will be promoted according to resources, with a focus this year on the e-map and website. 

So let's see and hear, see and be heard again in 2026!