Tools for good living
As we get more information about topics related to living and housing, it also improves our living conditions and comfort - both for myself and neighbors.
The KOTILO-project develops practices and models of living for immigrants and Finns. The objective is to improve living comfort for all residents. The project works in suburban areas with a large immigrant and Finnish population in the Helsinki region, as well as Turku and Pirkanmaa. The Kotilo-project is funded by RAY and The Ministry of the Environment's Suburb Programme.
Methods developed by the project include conflict prevention work, mediation, advisory work and education.
The project has trained neighborhood mediators to solve and prevent conflicts among residents. Problems between immigrants and the majority population are often caused by everyday misunderstandings. In the worst case, an argument about laundry shifts or the use of common spaces can snowball into a "clash of civilizations" that affects the entire building. This is when neighborhood mediators can help.
The project has developed forms of advisory and training. Home-helpers come over to advise and help in matters related to housekeeping. Residence enthusiasts encourage other inhabitants to take part in and to develop communal activities and to get more involved in the neighbourhood. Participation creates common goals and objectives and thus reduces clashes between inhabitants. Shared aspirations bring people together and increase the sense of security in the neighbourhood.
A special form of lodging advisory is ASUMISPAKKI-training model, which gives immigrants advice from different perspectives. It is important that participants get involved and get a hands-on experience. ASUMISPAKKI-trainings can be tailored to suit various target groups.
The KOTILO-project also offers training for both partners and residents. Themes may vary from living in different cultures to the meaning of the concept "good neighbor". It is important, that the themes are suggested by partners and residents.
The project has also translated material related to housing and living into different languages, plain language and into comic strip form. Among the material you will find, for instance, instructions for recycling in Farsi, Albanian and Somali; a cartoon strip guide to the use of laundry shifts drawn by Hanna Koljonen as well as documents related to resident democracy, rights and obligations in many languages.
Partners on the KOTILO-project are Espoonkruunu, Myllypuron Kiinteistöt Oy, VAV-asunnot Oy, sekä TVT-asunnot Oy, VTS -kodit, Tampereen vuokra-asunnot Oy and Kunta-asunnot Oy.
