The aim of this thesis is to study how gender sensitivity and principles of a safer space actualize in Oranssi ry’s FunNet project. The project organizes recreational groups for women, girls and young people with diversed gender aged from 13 to 28. This thesis is a qualitative research and it contains a literature review about gender, gender sensitive work, living conditions of youth, power structures of the society and safer space. The instructors and participants of the project were interwieved and a short enquiry was made for young people. A workshop of creative writing was organized in project’s event and participants were observed there.

In Finland there is a long tradition for gender sensitive work with girls, but we are lacking projects that would improve the possibilities to take part of different hobbies for youth with diversed gender. The instructors that were interviewed were familiar with gender sensitive work and the principals of a safer space, so it was easy for them to follow those guide-lines. The young people that were interviewed were also familiar with the principles and their experiencies of the recreational groups were mainly positive. The principles had a positive effect on learning experiencies, spontane interaction and it helped people to get to know each other in the group. Hobbies and a chance to try new things were most important for young people. Some of the participants had empowering experiences in the groups because they had been bullied in school for many years. This kind of activity can decrease social exclusion.