Moving to a new city is easier when you have an experienced guide on your side. The Community Powered Integration project (YKS) is a multipartners initiative for newcomers in Turku, Salo, and other municipalities in S-W Finalnd as Uusikaupunki, Raisio, Marttila, Rusko, Paimio, Sauvo, Kaarina, Pöytyä, Somero, Loimaa, Laitila, Kustavi, Aura, Vehmaa, Nousiainen, Naantali, Koski Tl, Mynämäki and Masku. We believe that integration happens through people, not just paperwork.
How does the mentoring program work in practice?
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1ActiveReach out for support
Don't struggle with settling in Turku alone. Send a simple email or call to coordinator to start your journey.
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2ActiveInterview with Coordinator
We'll have a brief chat to understand what you need. Are you looking for help with your job search, wanting to practice Finnish, or just need tips on how to live in Finland? We focus on your personal situation.
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3ActiveFinding Your Match
We match you with a mentor who was once a newcomer too. They are "experts by experience" who can explain life in Finland and Finnish work culture in plain language and share real-life tips on where to find the right information and support.
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4ActiveFirst Meeting
Get to know your mentor and agree on how you will work together.
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5ActiveMentoring Process
Enjoy up to 8 personal meetings. Your mentor will share insights on the hidden labor market, give advice on hobbies in Turku, explain how to use local services etc. It's all about practical tips from someone who has been there.
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6ActiveShare Your Feedback
Your experience helps us build a stronger international community in Turku. By sharing your story, you help us improve the program for the next person arriving in the city.
Start your journey!
Become a mentor or a mentee: Team Coordinator - Deeana Lehtinen, deeana.lehtinen@turku.fi +358 40 626 4313
Other project-related inquiries: Project Manager - Frans Hartman, frans.hartman@turku.fi
FAQ
To participate in our mentoring programme, you must be a newcomer from a non-EU country who chose to make Turku area (Southwest Finland) your new home.
This service is absolutely free for you. There is no hidden cost.
Mentoring support is designed to ease struggling on your own by helping you understand the city’s nuances, local services, and Finnish culture. Your mentor shares their practical experience regarding integration, daily life, work, education, and socialization in Finland.
The number of meetings with your mentor depends on your individual needs and requests. The project follows the Stiglitz well-being model, which covers key aspects of life such as health, education, job search, social connections, material well-being, safety, housing, and the local environment. You can choose which of these topics to prioritize and in what order you want to discuss them.
Our project coordinator initially selects a mentor for you based on your needs, goals and preferences. However, if after the first meeting you feel that the person is not the right fit, it is perfectly fine. You can simply contact our coordinator, and we will find another mentor who better matches your needs. We believe that mentoring must, above all, be comfortable to ensure open and high-quality communication.
The format of the meetings is also flexible, as they can be held offline, online and hybrid. Offline meetings are usually conducted in different locations across Turku area, which helps you become familiar with the city's infrastructure and everyday life in a practical way. We recommend in-person meetings, but you will decide together with your mentor the best option for the two of you.
Community Powered Integration - CPI, as the name suggests, offers integration services in collaboration with immigrant communities and associations. The project is funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). The project involves Finnish Ukrainians ry, Multicultural Early Childhood Education, School and Home ry (Mvkk), Sateenkaari Koto, YHDESSÄ Association, and the City of Salo as recipients of the transfer.
From the beginning, partners have included the Finnish Arab Council, Turun Som Nuoriso ry, Bosnian Cultural Center in Finland ry, International Women Community Turku & S-W Finland, and the Finnish Red Cross Reception Center in Turku. The partner network will expand throughout the project.
The key objective is to jointly create the Community Powered Integration model, which accelerates the integration of the target group by addressing the early stages of integration together with immigrant communities.
Project Details:
- Budget: €441,733
- Duration: 04/2024 – 02/2027
- Project Manager: Frans Hartman (frans.hartman@turku.fi)
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Organization: City of Turku / Employment Services / Immigrant Services
