Side by Side Project: Promoting Antiracism
The objective of the Side by Side project (2024-2026) is to offer support to adults who have moved to Finland and are experiencing racism. The project is value-driven and believes strongly in social justice, equal opportunities, and mental health for all. The three-year project is co-ordinated by Finnish Refugee Council and is co-funded by the European Union.
MIELI ry is a partner organization in the EU co-funded project, co-ordinated by the Finnish Refugee Council. The Side by Side project not only offers safer spaces for migrants to share their experience and gain practical tools from each other to strengthen their wellbeing, but also offers guidance to organizations in combatting racism and organizes trainings on antiracism. By raising awareness on antiracism among public and the third sector professionals, the project aims to advance welcoming strategies and practices.
Services
Over the three years the project will organize peer support groups in different languages facilitated by trained volunteers. Volunteers will be equipped with antiracist facilitation tools, have a good understanding of group dynamics, as well as the impact of migration on mental health not to mention racism. The peer support groups will provide a safer space for participants to talk about emotional distress while strengthening coping skills and empowering each other.
Trainings for organizations and professionals will be tailored according to their needs and existing know-how on antiracism. Organizations will be provided support and guidance in adapting antiracist tools and culturally competent client work.
Project will last until the end of 2026 and is co-funded by the AMIF Programme of the European Union.
How to participate in peer-support activities
The project is organizing peer-support groups for BIPOC individuals, who have moved to Finland from outside of Europe. Participants will not only gain deeper insight on the effects of migration and racism on mental health but also have the chance to share own insight with peers in a confidential and safer environment. Peer-support groups aim to dwell on shared experience while providing new tools for mental health resilience and empowering initiatives.
Peer-support groups will start in Autumn 2024. The English speaking group that started in September is already full but we will inform about the upcoming groups on our webpages.
Interested in becoming a volunteer?
Project is holding volunteer trainings regularly in Finnish and English. Follow our webpage for upcoming trainings or get in touch directly with us to find out more on volunteering opportunities.
For further information on the project and antiracism work you can contact any one of us:
Melis Arı-Gürhanlı, melis.ari@mieli.fi (for volunteering and peersupport groups)
Eva Udeh, eva.udeg@pakolaisapu.fi (for organizational trainings and stakeholder relations)
Amani Al-mehsen, amani.al-mehsen@pakolaisapu.fi (for guidance and advisory services)
