The tasks of the Haukkala Foundation were defined in its bylaws, registered in 2013 (in Finnish).
Bylaw 2 §: The purpose of the foundation is to promote mental health in children and youth by supporting research into psychiatric and psychosocial problems and social exclusion; preventive work; care and rehabilitation; training in this field; and development work and publications, in collaboration with other actors nationally and internationally.
Thus the purpose of the Haukkala Foundation is to promote well-being and mental health in children and youth through various activities. The Foundation has increased awareness of critical aspects of children’s life; supported research; promoted child-centred policies and practices at various levels; formed a community of people working in different fields of child welfare; and built bridges for the implementation of knowledge and best practices.
In 2016 the Board of the Haukkala Foundation defined its vision as follows:
By the year 2020, the Haukkala Foundation envisions itself as a well-known and influential stakeholder in Finland in the areas of child and youth well-being and mental health. Its strength and expertise will continue to be embodied and concentrated in research-based, child-centred, and experience-based initiatives and activities highlighting significant aspects of well-being in children and youth.
In its initiatives and activities, the Haukkala Foundation collaborates with a network of diverse national and international stakeholders. These efforts are underpinned by the values of research-based, child-centred, and experience-based quality actions that highlight significant aspects of the well-being of children and youth.
The Haukkala Foundation recognizes that any important aspects of child welfare and well-being are similar to those experienced in Finland and throughout the world. Hence national and international networking, and a unified understanding of the child, is of outmost importance. The goal is to establish a common language and vision about child well-being among diverse stakeholders.