Thanks to migration, Vantaa’s population has been growing for the past few years. With Russian, Estonian, and Arabic being the top three most spoken foreign languages, Vantaa is a true melting pot of cultures.
However, “Integration is not solely a matter of authorities; it is a multidirectional process,” that involves the entire community, says Jenni Tahvanainen, leader of the SMILE project in Vantaa.
The SMILE project, initiated by the municipality, aims to improve the inclusion of migrants by better connecting families, communities, schools, and the local administration’s work on integration. The project focuses on three main areas – coaching for employment and integration, support to families and children in school, and generating dialogues with migrant communities and local actors.
Community-centric initiatives
Through both training association members and fostering collaboration with city authorities, the project aims to transform communities from passive beneficiaries into active participants in the integration process.
Integration is not solely a matter of authorities; it is a multidirectional process
Petra Pulli, Networking Coordinator for the municipal Employment and Integration Services and a key member of the project highlights the importance of direct access to municipal resources to solve community issues. “It’s important that people have direct access to the city to solve their problems. We try to be agile and be there for the people,” she says.
For that, the project has developed partnerships with several migrant organisations, including the Sahan Association.
Sahan, originally founded in the 1990s, strives “to be pioneers in building a more multicultural Finland,” as its website states. The association provides cultural education for children of Somali heritage and supports migrant-background single parents and women’s well-being. By maintaining cultural identity while promoting inclusion, Sahan exemplifies the holistic approach that SMILE advocates.
The school performance of migrant-background children is often lower on average than those of Finnish or Swedish-speaking students. The SMILE project provides targeted individual support for the migrant children, while also offering a broader programme that recognises the importance of their family units and provides them with support. The idea is to make families active in the city’s integration process rather than just being receptors.
SMILE also places a strong emphasis on fostering dialogue to address societal challenges such as segregation and discrimination. This involves new local dialogues with mosques, both locally and nationally, and organising roundtable discussions on local issues.
Sharmarke Said Aw-Musse, imam of the local mosque, remembers how contacting the mayor a few years ago about youth concerns led to the establishment of multiple roundtables. “One round table was organised. Now there are ten,” he explains, showcasing the project’s impact in creating spaces for meaningful conversations and solutions.
Towards fair employment integration
One of the core objectives of SMILE is to address the prolonged process that migrants face in the labour market, often exacerbated by structural racism. Unemployment rates and school performance have been proven to be higher among the migrant-background population, which also faces more discrimination.
An innovative aspect of the project is its employment coaching, provided through the five participating NGOs, including Sahan. These job coaches assist clients with job and school applications, supported by training on relevant topics such as labour law, provided by the city. This not only empowers migrants but also strengthens the NGOs’ capacity to serve their communities.
We try to be agile and be there for the people
The Tsemppari partnership model brings together migrant-led NGOs and authorities working for the employment and integration of residents. This model ensure services are closer to the communities and enables a wider scope of target groups, languages and locations.
Future prospects and sustainable integration
The SMILE project was presented during Eurocities Social Affairs Forum 2024 which took place in Vantaa in June.
Looking ahead, the SMILE project aims to continue its momentum by involving more people in its initiatives, ensuring the sustainability and continuity of its efforts. Burhan Hamdon, the executive director of Hakunila International Association, also part of the SMILE project, emphasises the need to involve more young people in the NGO’s work. The project also plans to develop its organisational capacity further, participate in new tenders, and expand its reach to help more families in need.
The collaboration with the city has been instrumental in enhancing the impact of the participating NGOs. This partnership has not only increased the influence and service provision capacity of these organisations but also strengthened the sense of community and quality of life for migrant families.
As the project continues to evolve, it stands as a model for how cities can effectively support the integration and wellbeing of migrant communities.
The SMILE Project is funded under a wider agreement between the Council of Europe Development Bank and the European Commission (Directorate General for Home Affairs), to improve the inclusion of migrants in EU Member States by developing new partnerships and new forms of financing.
