Meeting of the Local Stakeholders in Finland #2

The second stakeholder meeting of the INVOLVIM project took place on 13th March 2025, both in person at the Regional Council of South Ostrobothnia and online via Teams. Participants included stakeholders from Immigrant’s Advisory and Guidance service MONI-info (City of Seinäjoki), Centre for Economic Development, Transport and Environment of South Ostrobothnia, South Ostrobothnia Chamber of Commerce, The Mannerheim League for Child Welfare, Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, Immigration Institute, Vuoksi Immigration Services, South Ostrobothnia Work Integration for Immigrants Service (WIISE ry), City of Alavus and City of Seinäjoki Employment Services (TyöLakeus).

The meeting covered recent project developments, including the State of the Art analysis conducted across all five participating regions. Each region collected key data related to immigration, producing SWOT analyses.

The collection of regional good practices has begun. So far, recognized practices include the University of Vaasa's SIMHE services and the MLL’s "Friend for an Immigrant Mother" initiative. Stakeholders contributed additional examples during the meeting:

• Wiise ry’s association-led integration activities, such as nature outings and coffee gatherings.
• The "Let’s read together in Finnish" network, offering volunteer-based language teaching in Seinäjoki and Kauhajoki.
• Moni-info which is now permanent service center, originally established via a project, with rising customer numbers.
• South Ostrobothnian Company of the Year award which is noted for inclusive recruitment practices and positive workplace culture.
• The SENSE network, promoting cross-organizational collaboration.
• CoWork employment partner project by Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences.
• Recently launched integration service map by the City of Seinäjoki, soon available also in English and Russian.
• Talent Hub network activities.
• Entrepreneurial support via Yrittäjäopisto’s project enhancing immigrant entrepreneurship.
• Cultural mentoring in Suupohja, offering discounts for joint cultural visits.
• MLL’s homework and reading support clubs for children learning Finnish as a second language.

Project team will now assess and choose more good practices to be presented to the partners. The meeting also touched on successful practices from project partners, with further examples to be identified.

Stakeholders also shared recent updates. Several organizations have recently been active in promoting the employment and integration of international talents and immigrants in the region. TyöLakeus has launched a six-member immigrant team providing orientation and language training aimed at facilitating direct employment. The ELY Centre has established a new three-person immigration team and invited the INVOLVIM project to present its activities at the regional immigration forum. Moni-info is preparing to relocate to new shared premises with TyöLakeus and the refugee office.

The meeting highlighted a strong commitment to supporting immigrant integration and promoting effective collaboration across organizations in South Ostrobothnia.