FIKA Mentoring Programme
A meeting place for immigrants and people who are established in the Swedish-speaking community in Finland. Through one-on-one mentoring, participants build meaningful connections, practice Swedish, share experiences, and learn more about Finnish culture and society together.
How does FIKA work?
A person seeking support in their integration journey is paired with a mentor who feels established in Finnish society and has knowledge of life in Finland and the Swedish language. A mentor is a listener, a friend, and someone who shares their experiences and insights about living in Finland. Through regular meetings over six months (around three times per month), the pair has the opportunity to socialize, build meaningful connections, practice Swedish, and learn more about Finnish culture, society, and everyday life. The program aims to create a supportive space for participants to strengthen their sense of belonging and feel more connected to their new community.
Who can join?
- Get a mentor: If you have moved to Finland and live in the Capital Region, you can receive support with integration, practice Swedish, build your social network, and learn more about Finnish culture and society.
- Become a mentor: If you live in the Capital Region, speak Swedish, and feel established in Finland, you can support someone in their integration journey while also learning from their experiences, perspectives, and culture.
- A two-way journey: FIKA is based on mutual learning and exchange. Mentors and mentees build meaningful relationships, create new social connections, learn from each other’s cultures and life experiences, and together contribute to greater social inclusion and cultural diversity in Finnish society.
What do mentor pairs do?
Mentor pairs decide together what they would like to focus on based on their interests, goals, and needs. FIKA is based on a two-way integration approach, where both mentors and mentees learn from each other through shared experiences and activities while building meaningful connections. For example, mentor pairs can:
- Share experiences about everyday life and each other’s cultures
- Practice Swedish and strengthen communication skills
- Learn more about Finnish culture and the Swedish-speaking community
- Discuss studies, careers, and working life in Finland
- Participate in activities or events together and expand social networks
The process
Join here!
FAQ
In a mentoring programme a mentor – who is more experienced in a certain field or area – shares their practical knowledge and helps to guide a mentee – somebody who needs advice and support in this area.
As a future mentee you need to be motivated, and be interested in meeting new people. You also need to have a residence permit. You will have to set your own goals for what you want to achieve during the programme; receive constructive feedback; accept suggestions and advice, and be open to new ideas and change.
As a future mentor you need to be ready to volunteer to support someone who needs assistance in integrating into Finnish society. No particular experience or knowledge is required, just an open mind and the interest to get to know a new person.
Both mentor and mentee need to be able to commit for 6 months, and meet 3 times per month.
A mentor period lasts 6 months from the first meeting. During this time you will meet your mentor/mentee around 3 times per month.
As a mentee you will receive personal advice and support from somebody who cares. You increase your social confidence, develop strategies for dealing with your personal and social issues, identify your goals and establish a sense of direction, gain valuable insight into the next stage of your life or career, obtain new friends and broaden your network.
Through meetings with your mentor – a person well-established in Finnish society – you might get support in job search and practical advice on social life and integration, practice Finnish or Swedish language and obtain useful information about living in Finland.
As a mentor you will be a bridge between the mentee and Finnish society, which is new to the mentee. You may give advice regarding job search, language and the integration process, as well as provide guidance, motivation, emotional support, and act as a role model. You help your mentee set clear goals and develop strategies for dealing with the mentee’s personal and social issues.
Being a mentor you have an opportunity to improve your communication and personal skills, reinforce your own current skills and knowledge, gain recognition for your skills and experience, enhance your CV by participating in volunteering activities. You also increase your circle of friends, and learn about a new culture.
No. It is a FIKA coordinator who pairs the mentor and mentee based on the mentee’s needs and requirements, and on the mentor’s resources.
At the moment we cannot guarantee that all who have applied for the programme will get a mentor/mentee.
First, you will be invited to an interview where we tell you more about the program. Through the interview we also want to get to know you, so we can try to find a great match.
When the mentor and mentee are paired, they first meet at Luckan or online during a kick-off event. During the first meeting a coordinator gives information and answers questions. During that meeting the mentor and mentee agree on the goals for the mentorship and on convenient times and places to meet. At the end of the mentoring, a final meeting with the coordinator can be organised, and both mentor and mentee can get a certificate for participating. Luckan supports all pairs throughout the whole process.
Participation in the program is FREE of charge.
Yes, it is possible to have entirely digital or hybrid mentor periods – it’s up to your preference.
If you have any questions about FIKA, don’t hesitate to contact us!
E-mail:
Phone: +358 50 514 2992
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