Kimppa

Kimppa is a Finnish term describing a group of people who pool resources or share a service or property to achieve a common goal. The word derives from the Finnish noun kimppa, meaning a bundle or crowd, and is used to refer to informal cooperative arrangements rather than formal organizations.

Common uses include housing, transportation, and collective purchasing. In housing, a kimppa-kämppä (shared apartment) brings several roommates under one roof, sharing rent, utilities, and chores. In transportation, kimppakyyditys refers to carpooling, where participants split travel costs. In purchasing, a kimppa can describe a group that pools money to buy items in bulk, equipment, or to fund a project.

Arrangements are typically voluntary and based on mutual trust. Practical deployments often involve a written agreement detailing rent or contributions, responsibilities for household chores, bill payments, and duration. In housing, tenancy laws may apply if a formal lease involves multiple tenants; otherwise, civil contracts govern relations.

The term is widely used in Finnish online marketplaces, forums, and social media to describe such collaborative setups. It reflects a practical approach to sharing resources, reducing costs, and fostering social ties.

See also: co-operative, shared housing, carpooling, group purchasing.