Refugee Councils United for Youth

The Refugee Councils United for Youth project, a joint initiative between FRC and international partners, aims to strengthen youth work expertise and the participation of young people from different backgrounds. The goal is to make young people’s voices heard and create opportunities for them to influence society.

In the project, we are mapping the needs, interests, and barriers to participation of young people in Finland, Estonia, Denmark, and Ireland. Young people participate in workshops where we work together to develop meaningful ways of participating and influencing. In addition, we organize study visits to different countries to share expertise and experiences in youth work and global education internationally.

The project is being implemented in cooperation with four organizations specializing in forced migration: Estonian Refugee Council, Irish Refugee Council, DFUNK (Danish Refugee Council Youth), and Finnish Refugee Council.

Kurvi – Guidance on Migration-Related Issues

Through our Kurvi programme, we provide counselling and training on topics related to migration. We support 18–29-year-olds who have moved to Finland with issues such as residence permits, family reunification, citizenship applications, and integration services. We also offer one-on-one guidance when needed.

We additionally offer consultation to professionals working with migrants on topics such as residence permits, family reunification processes and other complex migration-related questions.

Further information on Kurvi’s website (in Finnish).

Sauma – Employment Coaching for Jobseekers and Support for Employers

Sauma Employment Coaching brings together employers and jobseekers with migrant backgrounds. We provide employment coaching where participants learn about Finnish working life, workplace culture, rights and responsibilities, and how to present their skills. Volunteer mentors support participants in job searching.

We also work closely with employers, supporting recruitment, orientation and workplace integration to build sustainable employment relationships and diverse, inclusive workplaces.

Further information on Sauma’s website (in Finnish).

Fair Labor – Preventing Labour Exploitation

Fair Labor (Reilu työelämä) programme prevents labour exploitation in Finland and helps victims access appropriate support services. The work is nationwide, multilingual and focuses on meeting people where they are.

We organise information sessions, counselling events and workshops in cooperation with partners. Topics include workers’ rights and responsibilities, Finnish labour regulations, trade union activity and available support services for victims of labour exploitation. We also offer individual multilingual counselling for migrants and asylum seekers.

We provide consultation and training for stakeholders on labour exploitation and corporate responsibility in multiple languages, including Finnish, English, Ukrainian, Arabic, Dari, Kurdish, Farsi and Russian.

Further information on Fair Labor’s website (in Finnish).

My Career Path – Employment Support for Migrant Women

My Career Path (Omalle uralle) project provides long-term, multilingual career guidance for migrant women, especially those in vulnerable situations or excluded from services. The aim is to support women in employment, education and finding their place in Finnish society.

We offer individual guidance, counselling, help in finding the right services, career planning and easy-to-join peer groups. Together with participants, we explore goals and identify suitable education and job opportunities.

The programme is open especially to Arabic-, Kurdish-, Somali-, Dari- and Farsi-speaking women, but women of all language backgrounds are welcome.

The project is co-funded by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+).

Further information on project’s website (in Finnish).

Järjestöhautomo – Support for Migrant-Led Association

Järjestöhautomo provides free guidance and support for associations and civic initiatives. We specialise in strengthening multicultural civic activity and supporting associations founded by migrants. Our services include counselling, training and workshops, as well as support for informal community initiatives.

Participating in civic activities helps migrants integrate, develop language skills, gain civic competencies, build networks, influence issues that matter to them and participate fully in society. Increasing migrant participation also strengthens social cohesion, equality and inclusion at the societal level.

Further information on Järjestöhautomo’s website (in Finnish).

Volunteering

Our volunteers play a crucial role in promoting integration and the rights of people who have fled persecution or conflict. Volunteers support migrants in learning Finnish, finding employment, navigating everyday life and building confidence. Our Puhutaan language volunteers, work-life mentors, and Suomiluotsi volunteers are key partners for newcomers. Our global education volunteers also deliver workshops in schools on forced displacement and inspire young people to take action.

Further information on volunteering’s website (in Finnish).

Global Education

We train volunteer global educators who visit schools and hold workshops for schoolchildren on forced migration. They help young people understand complex global issues. Each visit includes information and practical exercises that give young people an insight into the experiences of refugees. Finally, we discuss together how each of us can do our part to build a better future. 

FRC provides tools for teachers and educators to address refugee issues and sustainable development in their lessons. We also train teachers and teacher trainees on how to address refugeeism and its connection to climate change in the classroom. 

Explore FRC’s global education materials and book a school visit on our website (in Finnish).