Support and information for immigrant associations
Organization Incubator, a project which supports immigration associations, helping them to work independently alongside other Finnish organizations. The Organization Incubator is the only organization in Finland specialized in training and supporting immigrant associations.
Organizational activities’ benefits for immigrants
Participating in immigrant organization’s activities is a good way of learning the rules of the Finnish society, its democratic decision-making processes, and developing awareness of and respecting equality. Active participation is also an effective way of learning how the Finnish society works, and how it is possible to bring about a change. In addition, participation also offers meaningful and motivating work to everyone involved and paves the way for better opportunities in employment and life improvements in general.
Immigration organizations’ benefits for towns and cities
The immigrant organizations carry out valuable work in aspects of integration in Finland. The organizations have various activities for children, adults and elderly people alike. The number of volunteers involved in these activities is high. Immigrant organizations are the best experts in issues relating to immigration. They are also reliable specialist associates for cities and the local authorities in the dissemination of information and data acquisition.
In its statement to the government’s program of 2011-2015, The Advisory Board for Ethnic Relations (ETNO) notes that : ‘Support to the ethnic minorities’ organizations is seen vital as they have an important role in the educational work and in cooperating with the authorities. Immigrants’ participation should be supported by spreading information about the possibilities of participation, and providing training about organizational activities…’
Many immigrant associations have practices that have been proven to work well. They are in areas concerning, for example, work among elderly people, peer support, advice- and informational services and child and youth work. Many associations can also provide special support such as legal and psychological services. Many of the integration supporting services provided by the associations are transferrable, as part of the city’s or the local community’s immigration services, or they can also provide the support needed.
Organization Incubator provides support and information for the local communities and cities
The Organization Incubator works closely together with, for example, the cities of Helsinki, Vaasa and Tampere. Many new cities and local communities join in on a regular basis. The Organization Incubator has offices in Tampere and Vaasa, and its services reach the Swedish speaking costal area as well. The city of Vaasa, Regional Council of Ostrobothnia and Kulturösterbotten also finacially support the Organization Incubator. In addition, further support towards the Organization Incubator is also provided by the city of Tampere .
The Organization Incubator provides services for immigration associations, cities and local communities. It can be approached for advice or help relating to issues around the organizing of immigrant organizations.
The employees of the Organization Incubator in the metropolitan area, Tampere Region and Ostrobothnia provide information and support for those intending to start up an association. This includes support and information on finances, administration, fund raising and grant applications. It also gives advice on planning the organization’s daily matters and then how to implement them. The Organization Incubator also has a vast and comprehensive training scheme by which it can train new organizations in capacity-building, such as the acquisition of skills service provision.. The Organization Incubator also cooperates with other corporations.
Apart from providing training, the Organization Incubator supports networking between organizations by arranging seminars and events. It has a vast network of supporters, including The Finnish Red Cross, Family Federation, The Finnish Association for Mental Health (OVI-project) and the University of Helsinki’s e-participation-project. The Organization Incubator also cooperates with immigrant coalitions such as Moniheli ry, FARO, Suomen Somaliliitto ry and the Finnish Somalia-network which works in development cooperation.
Finland’s Slot Machine Association RAY finances Organization Incubator
