Study visit to Helsinki

20 May 2010

On 8th and 9th March, Unlocking ESF Potential took eight London-based third sector organisations, currently funded through the London ESF Programme, on a study visit to Helsinki, with the purpose of exchanging best practice with their counterparts in the Finnish capital.

The focus of the two day visit was to explore how ESF funded projects in Helsinki engaged immigrants through ESF and how they worked with them to devise strategies for integration.

The event included visits to a range of ESF funded projects, led by Helsinki City Council. These included one project entitled ‘OSMOS’ that focused on providing support to immigrant families’ everyday life and wellbeing. Part of the visit included talking to some of the people who had benefited from the project which really brought things to life! Delegates heard how the approach to integration in Finland was focused very strongly on the family unit: child guidance and family counselling were available, as well as play park activities, early support and home help for families with children.

Another interesting aspect was that, unlike their London counterparts, third sector organisations in Helsinki do not currently play a leading role in project delivery: in Helsinki third sector organisations tend to be smaller, less sophisticated and subsequently less equipped to support and represent individual cultures and minorities. Clearly, this is mainly due to the absence of a strong history of immigration. Representatives from Helsinki City Council who participated in the event spent some time discussing and exchanging best practice and ideas with counterparts from London about strategies to capacity build and develop third sector representation in ESF projects in Helsinki.

The feedback from the visit was positive:

‘It was good to get to know and meet other projects, both in Helsinki and in London and to share best practice’.

Everyone agreed that sharing ideas and best practice with colleagues in other EU countries is an invaluable experience.

‘It brings home the fact that, in terms of lessons learned, problems are often similar.’

Common issues addressed included what to do when the funding runs out etc, how do you survive and mainstream successful approaches

For more information contact esfpotential@gle.co.uk

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