Civic orientation to be offered to immigrants in many languages – Report offers recommendations for implementation
As of 2025, municipalities will be required to offer multilingual civic orientation to integration clients. A report commissioned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment in May 2023 includes recommendations on how to implement the orientation in a high-quality and uniform manner across Finland.
Multilingual civic orientation provides immigrants with information on the Finnish society, living and working in Finland, and the rights and obligations of an individual. The orientation will take place in the immigrant’s mother tongue or in a language that the immigrant knows well.
In Finland, multilingual civic orientation has already been implemented locally in varying extents for several years. The immigrants who have participated in civic orientation have found it useful. From 2025, multilingual civic orientation will become a statutory part of the municipal integration programme, which the municipality must organise for immigrants in the early stages of immigration.
Based on a report by Owal Group Oy, multilingual civic orientation should be a distinct part of municipal early-stage integration services and clients’ service paths. The report recommends that an approximate minimum number of sessions be defined for civic orientation across the country. The orientation includes at least 100 hours of instruction in Sweden and 75 hours in Norway.
According to the report, cost-effective multilingual civic orientation requires cooperation between municipalities as well as cross-regional and national coordination. Orientation organised remotely or as hybrid events could help immigrants living in sparsely populated areas to participate in the instruction. National support and investments in the learning materials and training of orientation instructors are required to organise and implement orientation.
Report supports preparation of multilingual civic orientation
In spring 2024, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment will prepare a government decree on the content and implementation of multilingual civic orientation. In accordance with the Government Programme, integration will be based on language learning, work, familiarisation with Finnish society and compliance with its rules. The report, which will be used in this preparation, will support municipalities in preparing and implementing civic orientation.
Multilingual civic orientation is part of the reform of the Integration Act, which will enter into force at the beginning of 2025 when employment and integration services become municipal responsibilities. The aim of the reform is to increase the integration, employment and social inclusion of immigrants.
Inquiries:
Laura Ruuskanen, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 29 5047 283