Community-Based Civic Orientation in Tampere
Empowering Newcomers Through Flexible, Peer-Led Learning
Customer-Oriented Civic Orientation Pilots
In partnership with the City of Tampere and International House Tampere, Startup Refugees is executing a Community-Based Civic Orientation (Yhteisöllinen yhteiskuntaorientaatio) as part of the Customer-Oriented Civic Orientation Pilots (Asiakaslähtöiset yhteiskuntaorientaatiopilotit) project co-funded by the EU Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF).
Traditional civic orientation training often runs during daytime hours, making it them difficult to access for anyone balancing a busy schedule. Our community-driven pilot is specifically designed for newcomers and residents from outside the EU in Tampere who cannot participate in standard intensive training due to work, ongoing studies, or entrepreneurship
About Startup Refugees
Startup Refugees is an award-winning non-profit organization that supports refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants in employment, skills development and entrepreneurship. We have a network of more than 5000 members including companies, private and public sector organisations, and individuals.
Peer-Led Model and Community Leaders
A core pillar of this initiative is its peer-led framework. To build a direct bridge between official municipal services and international communities, Startup Refugees has recruited and trained a talented group of Community Leaders. Following a comprehensive 12-hour training programme focused on facilitation and interaction skills, leadership, Finnish labor market, and local ecosystem navigation.
Flexible Structure Tailored to You
Session times and structures are shaped around the participants’ availability and commitments, ensuring that learning fits smoothly into your life.
Discover Tampere and Connect with Your City
A core focus of our Community Leaders is to show you how to truly become a part of Tampere as a city. Beyond practical civic knowledge, our sessions help you understand what you can do in Tampere, how to spend your time, and where to find interesting places, local spots, and community activities that enrich your everyday life. This active engagement not only benefits newcomers by helping them feel at home, but also strengthens Tampere as a vibrant, inclusive, and connected city for everyone.
Learn in Your Language with Our Community Leaders
A core pillar of this initiative is our peer-led model. We have trained a dedicated group of Community Leaders who share lived experiences and bridge the gap between official municipal services and international communities. To ensure everyone feels welcome and supported, our sessions are facilitated directly in multiple languages, including:
- English
- Bengali
- Sinhala
- Tagalog
- Vietnamese
- Arabic
- Persian
- Ukrainian
- Russian
Why This Matters
Navigating a new country, understanding the local labour market, finding housing, and getting to know local services can be challenging. Our flexible programme fits right into your busy life while fully satisfying statutory civic orientation requirements defined by Finnish law.
Key Benefits of the Initiative
- Flexible Timing: Allows working professionals, full-time students, and entrepreneurs to complete essential civic orientation without taking time off.
- Practical Knowledge: Focus on employment rights, job search strategies, entrepreneurship, and exploring Tampere’s local services.
- Statutory Recognition: Completing the programme meets the legal requirement for civic orientation in Finland; participants receive an official certificate, ensuring they do not have to repeat the training if an integration plan is created later.
- Dual Impact: Strengthens civic understanding and employment readiness of newcomers while boosting the leadership skills, confidence, and employability of the Community Leaders.
Referrals and Registration
We invite employers, educational institutions, municipal advisors, and community organizations to refer eligible international talents to our pilot groups. Eligible newcomers can also register directly.
Eligibility Criteria:
Citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland residing in Tampere.
Currently working, studying, or operating a business.
