Central Baltic Project Database - Community integration and common identity

ActiveMoms developed a holistic model for social inclusion

Ari Brozinski — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 10:10:21 +0000

As its main result, project ActiveMoms developed a holistic model for social inclusion of women who stay at home with their pre-school-age children, do not participate in labour market and belong to Latvia’s and Estonia’s largest ethnic minorities. The model aims to support the social integration of target group through employment, entrepreneurship, volunteering and networking and can be used by other organisations supporting similar target groups. All methods used in the model were piloted with the target group.

ActiveMoms also developed an ICT platform which made it possible to find a mentor from another country and get support based on international experience, as well as communicate with a mother from another country and discuss with her the possibilities of a common business. Volunteer opportunities in in both countries were also provided and used by mothers.

Active Moms was a good example of a project where joint activities were implemented for target groups from different countries. Thereby, the cross-border effect was achieved in a very practical way. Project participants (young mothers) were able to compare their situation and possible solutions for social and labour market integration with people in similar situation in neighbouring country. Participation in the cross-border events provided the target group from Latvia and Estonia an opportunity to get to know stakeholders and entrepreneurs from both countries, to learn about the various possibilities for entering the labour market after a significant break, including through starting their own business.

Finally, the cross-border approach allowed the target group representatives to better understand each others’ mentality, differences and similarities and build personal relationships. This has a positive impact on the social inclusion and labour market entry of moms in both countries and contributes to the well-being of their families in the Programme area.

The Holistic model for social inclusion of target group representatives through employment, entrepreneurship, volunteering and networking:
https://www.llu.lv/sites/default/files/files/projects/Model%20for%20Social%20Inclusion%20TGRs.pdf

Tags:

Social inclusion and equal opportunities

Community integration and common identity

Category:

Improved community

At a glance text:

A holistic model for social inclusion of women who stay home with their pre-school-age children
Support through employment, entrepreneurship, volunteering and networking
Mothers compared their situations and got peer support across borders

Project link:

ActiveMoms – social inclusion of women staying at home with their pre-school-age children through employment, entrepreneurship, networking and volunteering in Latvia and Estonia

WoHealth increased standard of health for immigrant mothers

Ari Brozinski — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 08:09:50 +0000

WoHealth increased immigrant mother’s opportunity to reach satisfactory standard of health and wellbeing and thereby supported their integration in unfamiliar culture.

The project developed an education model for peer support of immigrant women who are pregnant or have small children. Women who have lived in the country for a longer time and gained knowledge and understanding of the local culture and service system; were educated to volunteer as peer supporters. The aim of peer supporters is to motivate and support other immigrant women to maintain their health and well-being and to find out new ways to take care their children’s health and well-being. Peer supporter guide in easy language was developed to increase capacity of volunteers.

The project supported collaboration between immigrant clients and professionals in health care, especially children and maternity clinics. Some immigrant women received peer support during their appointments in maternity and child health clinics. In total, 28 leaflets in easy language were prepared in order to improve information about health. The leaflets cover most important topics concerning motherhood, parenthood and childcare, and are available online in printable format.

All materials in Finnish and Swedish: https://www.tuas.fi/en/research-and-development/projects/empowering-immigrant-women-supporting-their-and-th/

Tags:

health and social services

Social inclusion and equal opportunities

Community integration and common identity

Attachment:

Imetys

Imuote ja imetysasennot

Kivunlievitys

Lapsen motorinen kehitys 1-3-vuotiaana

Lapsen motorinen kehitys 3-5-vuotiaana

Lapsen motorinen kehitys 5-7-vuotiaana

lapsen_motorinen_kehitys_syntymasta_1_vuotiaaksi.pdf

Lapsen rokottaminen

Lapsen terveellinen ruokavalio

Lapsen_turvallisuus_0-3 kk

Lapsen_turvallisuus_3-6 kk

Lapsen_turvallisuus_6-12 kk

Lapset ja media

Lastenneuvolan palvelut Kaarinassa

Maastamuutto ja hyvinvointi

Perhekeskus sekä Kaarinan lapsiperheiden palvelut

Raskauden_ongelmia

Raskaus

Stressi

Synnytyksen alkaminen

Synnytyksen auttaminen

Uni

Äitiysneuvolan palvelut Kaarinassa

WoHealth-opas_tukihenkilöille

Amning

Barn och medier

Barnets motoriska utveckling 1-3 år

Barnets motoriska utveckling från födseln till 1 års ålder

Barnets motoriska utveckling i 3-5 års ålder

Barnets motoriska utveckling i 5-7 års ålder

Barnets skötsel

Barnets säkerhet och trygghet när det är 0-3 månader

Barnets säkerhet och trygghet när det är 3–6 månader

Barnets säkerhet och trygghet vid 6-12 månaders ålder

Efter förlossningen

Ett barn ska äta hälsosamt

Friska tänder

Förlossningen kan behöva hjälp att komma i gång

Migration och psykosocial hälsa

Problem under graviditeten

Smärtlindring

Stress

Suggrepp och amningsställningar

Sömn

Vaccinationer

Category:

Improved community

At a glance text:

An education model for peer support of immigrant women who are pregnant or have small children
A collaboration between immigrant clients and professionals in health care.

Project link:

Empowering immigrant women in supporting their and their families' health and wellbeing

Act Local improved local employment possibilities in rural areas

Ari Brozinski — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 07:01:11 +0000

The project improvement local labour market opportunities by implementing community service pilots based on local development plans. The development plans and pilots were implemented in four regions – Ape, Alutaguse, Engure and Setomaa.

The development plans and pilots were supported by several practical and theoretical trainings which were targeted towards local people. Altogether over 400 participants took part in the trainings.

Local community service pilots were implemented in 15 rural village communities in above mentioned regions. Pilots took several different forms based on the local needs which were found through the development process of the development plans. As an example, pilots included local market days, cultural events, recording studio, outdoor cinema and beach volley activities.

Tags:

Labour market and employment

New products and services

Community integration and common identity

Attachment:

Final report - Ape region

Final report - Engure region

Final report - Setomaa and Alutaguse regions

Category:

Improved community

At a glance text:

Improved labour market opportunities in four regions
Over 400 participants in
15 rural villages

Project link:

Creation of new employment opportunities for people living in rural remote areas through designing and piloting village community services

TELL improved social inclusion among young immigrants

Ari Brozinski — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 10:51:50 +0000

During its implementation, the TELL project organised workshops for young immigrants aged between 16-29. These workshops focused on storytelling or using a game called Human rights and democracy. In storytelling workshops, successful integration stories were shared using narrative methods, whereas the game-focused workshops aimed to evoke discussions about different rules, rights and manners of a new country. The latter deployed cultural and artistic methods. Additionally to project target groups, the methodology was partly tested through information exchange between project partners.

Throughout implementation, positive stories of belonging and engaging in the society as well as mutual understanding and building transcultural trust, were emphasised. In total, 90 young immigrants participated in project activities.

Tags:

Demographic change and immigration

Community integration and common identity

Attachment:

Collection of success stories

Final report

Category:

Improved community

At a glance text:

Engaging methods to prevent social exclusion
90 participants

Project link:

Tell me about it -stories building belonging and democratic integration

The CoMe Strong project activated older men in a risk of social exclusion

kersti — Mon, 17 May 2021 09:07:06 +0000

The CoMe Strong project aimed at activating inactive men aged 45-75 who were in a risk of social exclusion due to unemployment, loneliness and lack of family and friends. Partners from Turku and Tartu initiated a new model to activate the men by establishing Come Strong clubs which were places for men to gather and plan meaningful activities they wished to implement. The model was later presented for the social and health care professionals.

In concrete, 10 men’s club were established during the project and about 100 men took part to the club meetings frequently. The self-esteem of the men got better during the project, as they found new friends and learnt new things. Thanks to the clubs, the men had something meaningful to do. This also gave them a feeling that they are important community members.

An important aspect in the activities organised in the clubs was that activities were planned by the men and raised from their own interests. Having a significant role in planning and implementing club activities was important, as it gave confidence for the men who had not been in a such role before in their lives. Furthermore, the most active men were trained to take responsibility on running the clubs by themselves. This ensured that the clubs keep active still after the project end.

In addition, some community projects were carried out, and these activities were planned and often also filmed by the men themselves. The community projects varied from organising different events such as Christmas party in the neighbourhood to taking the elderly for a walk. After carrying out the community projects, some men also continued voluntary work in the elderly houses, which has made the men feel very important.

Project website: https://comestrong.turkuamk.fi/fi/

Info video in Finnish
Info video in Estonian

Experience between Come Strong clubs were exchanged during the Summer Days when the men from Finland and Estonia travelled to meet each other. For many men this was their first trip abroad.

Tags:

Social inclusion and equal opportunities

Community integration and common identity

Category:

Improved community

At a glance text:

CoMe Strong project activated inactive men aged 45-75 who were in a risk of social exclusion due to unemployment, loneliness and lack of family and friends.
Project esablished places for men to gather and plan meaningful activities they wished to implement.
The self-esteem of the men got better during the project, as they found new friends and learnt new things.

Project link:

Connecting Men and Stronger Local Communities

ARC - Engaging refugees in meaningful activities

Ari Brozinski — Tue, 19 May 2020 04:43:40 +0000

ARC improved social inclusion of immigrants with a refugee background. During its implementation, the project found new and cost-effective methods to create meaningful activities for their target group.

The project implemented a variety of activities that included mostly gardening but also other type activities such as building small greenhouses, participation in running a radio station and language classes. Some of the activities provided participants with study credits, thus advancing their position in getting a degree and improving their chances on the labour market.

Feedback from participants was positive; they found meaningful activities in their local neighbourhood, got to know new people, and learnt Finnish and Swedish at the same time. Two participants were also hired via project activities.

In total, the project involved approximately 500 immigrants, thus exceeding its original goal of 100 with flying colours. The exact number may vary as some participants were involved more than one time.

Tags:

Community integration and common identity

Demographic change and immigration

Attachment:

Hiedanranta Edible Garden operating model

New activating methods for immigrants

Recommendation Report

Category:

Improved community

At a glance text: