Enhancing Immigrant Youth Integration and Wellbeing in Finland

Challenge

The client aimed to understand the experiences, challenges, and well-being of young people with immigrant backgrounds in Finland. This includes aspects such as emotional well-being, experiences of discrimination and bullying, social connections, and their ability to influence their own lives and society. 

Plan International Finland is committed to promoting the rights and well-being of children and young people, especially those from marginalized groups. Understanding the specific needs and challenges faced by immigrant youth helps them tailor their programs and advocacy efforts more effectively. 

For Wider Society and the World 

• Social Integration: Ensuring that immigrant youth feel included and supported is crucial for social cohesion and reducing societal tensions. 
• Economic Impact: Successfully integrating immigrant youth can contribute to the economy by harnessing their potential and skills. 
• Human Rights: Addressing issues of discrimination and ensuring equal opportunities aligns with global human rights standards and promotes a fairer society. 
• Plan International Finland has committed to: 
• Conducting Research: Gathering data on the experiences of immigrant youth to inform their programs. 
• Advocacy: Using the findings to advocate for policies and practices that support the well-being and integration of immigrant youth. 
• Program Development: Designing and implementing programs that address the specific needs identified through the research. 

Collecting accurate and comprehensive data from young people with immigrant backgrounds presented a few challenges which required our help.

Approach

We brought expertise in research and data analysis, designing and conducting surveys, analysing data, and interpreting results to provide actionable insights. 

How did we conduct the work? 

• Survey Design: Collaborated with the client to design the survey questions, ensuring they were relevant and comprehensive. 
• Data Collection: Conducted online surveys during events organized by Plan International Finland in educational institutions and Plan groups in the Helsinki metropolitan area. 
• Participant Recruitment: Targeted young people aged 16-34 with immigrant backgrounds, ensuring a diverse and representative sample. 
• Data Analysis: Analyzed the survey responses to identify key trends, challenges, and experiences of the participants. 

What best practices did we use? 

• Inclusive and Respectful Engagement: Ensured that the survey design and implementation were inclusive and respectful of the participants' cultural backgrounds and experiences. 
• Confidentiality and Ethical Standards: Maintained high ethical standards, ensuring the confidentiality and anonymity of the participants. 
• Collaborative Approach: Worked closely with stakeholders, including educational institutions and community groups, to facilitate data collection and ensure the relevance of the research. 
• Evidence-Based Advocacy: Used the research findings to inform advocacy efforts, ensuring that recommendations were grounded in robust evidence. 

At the end of the project, we produced a comprehensive report summarising the findings, including key statistics, trends, and participant quotes.

Impact

Our work enables Plan International Finland to: 

• Understand the Needs: Gain a deep understanding of the experiences, challenges, and well-being of young people with immigrant backgrounds in Finland. 
• Tailor Programs: Design and implement programs that specifically address the identified needs and challenges of immigrant youth. 
• Advocate Effectively: Use evidence-based insights to advocate for policy changes and support from stakeholders to improve the lives of immigrant youth. 
• Monitor Progress: Track the effectiveness of their interventions and make data-driven adjustments to improve outcomes. 

What impact will this have?

• Improved Well-being: Enhanced emotional well-being and reduced feelings of loneliness and exclusion among immigrant youth. 
• Social Integration: Better integration of immigrant youth into Finnish society, fostering social cohesion and mutual understanding. 
• Educational and Employment Opportunities: Increased access to education and employment opportunities that align with the aspirations of immigrant youth. 
• Reduced Discrimination: More effective strategies to combat discrimination and bullying, creating a safer and more inclusive environment. 
• Empowerment: Empowering immigrant youth to feel confident in their digital skills and their ability to influence their own lives and society. 

How does this relate back to the wider issue / client challenge or goal? 

• Social Cohesion: Addressing the challenges faced by immigrant youth is crucial for promoting social cohesion and reducing societal tensions. 
• Economic Contribution: Successfully integrating immigrant youth can contribute to the economy by harnessing their potential and skills. 
• Human Rights and Equality: Ensuring equal opportunities and combating discrimination aligns with global human rights standards and promotes a fairer society. 
• Strategic Goals: The insights from our work help Plan International Suomi achieve their strategic goals of promoting the rights and well-being of children and young people, particularly those from marginalized groups. 

Our work provides Plan International Suomi with the tools and insights needed to make a meaningful impact on the lives of immigrant youth, contributing to a more inclusive and supportive society.