SkillUp

The Startup Refugees SkillUp Program promotes the employment, skills development, and social inclusion of young adults with immigrant and refugee backgrounds across Finland. It strengthens participants’ readiness for working life while supporting employers in accessing diverse talent and building more inclusive recruitment practices.

The program addresses barriers to employment by offering practical, hands-on support through different types of training and guidance. These include sector-specific training modules in fields such as ICT, logistics, care, and retail, as well as workshops on job search skills, CV and application writing, and interview preparation.

Participants also receive training in digital skills and the use of AI tools in working life, along with orientation to Finnish workplace culture and recruitment practices. In addition, the program offers mentoring, career coaching, and individualized guidance tailored to each participant’s goals and situation. During the first year, the program will support approximately 150–200 participants.

The SkillUp Program is funded and supported by Saastamoisen säätiö sr / Saastamoinen Foundation.








Entrepreneurship Pathway

The Startup Refugees Entrepreneurship Pathway funded by Yksityisyrittäjäin säätiö promotes entrepreneurship among immigrants and refugees in Finland by providing training, mentoring, and multilingual business advisory services. It supports participants in developing business ideas, starting companies, and growing sustainable businesses while strengthening their integration into the Finnish economy.

Entrepreneurs with immigrant backgrounds often face barriers such as language challenges, limited networks, and unfamiliarity with the business environment. As their share continues to grow, there is an increasing need for accessible and tailored support that enables business creation, strengthens economic participation, and contributes to a more inclusive and dynamic business environment.








From Dreams to Career Paths

From Dreams to Career Paths promotes the employment of young people aged 15 to 29 with refugee, asylum seeker, and immigrant backgrounds by providing culturally sensitive, family-centered work-life coaching. The project helps youth identify career paths that match their skills and interests while strengthening family support and practical work-life skills.

Together with local employers, educational institutions, and organizations in Oulu and Kuusamo, we create opportunities for young people to enter education or employment and support the region’s labor market needs.









Arctic Mentors

The Startup Refugees Arctic Mentors project promotes immigrant employment in Lapland by improving recruitment readiness and diversity expertise among employers. It addresses labor shortages and enhances the ability of social enterprises to serve as employment pathways for migrants.

Key challenges include migrants’ lack of professional networks and language skills, leading to underemployment despite a shortage of skilled workers in Finland. The project provides mentoring to 200 migrants and collaborates with 20 companies to form 40 mentor-mentee pairs, aiming for 60 migrants to secure employment.

The project targets unemployed migrants and businesses in sectors with labor shortages, like tourism and logistics. It integrates traditional and reverse mentoring to support a diverse workforce, strengthen professional networks, and encourage businesses to embrace diversity.








Kotona maaseudulla

The Kotona maaseudulla – pitovoimaa yrittäjyydestä project supports immigrants’ settlement in rural and sparsely populated areas by promoting low-threshold entrepreneurship and strengthening the attractiveness and vitality of rural communities. The project responds to population decline and labour shortages while increasing internationality and diversity in rural areas.

Key challenges include limited access to entrepreneurial guidance, local networks and services for immigrants in rural regions, despite their strong potential to contribute to local economies. The project develops practical operating models and digital tools that support immigrants in starting businesses and becoming active members of local communities.

The project targets immigrants interested in entrepreneurship as well as regional and local actors working to strengthen rural vitality. By combining digital learning, mentoring, networking and concrete retention models, the project supports long-term integration, enhances regional competitiveness and helps rural areas sustainably benefit from immigration.




Tsemppari

The City of Vantaa and Startup Refugees are implementing the Tsemppari Employment Coaching project to promote the employment and integration of migrants through culturally and linguistically informed guidance. The project helps participants identify their opportunities in the Finnish labor market and make their skills visible to employers.

Coaching is provided both individually and in groups, focusing on job search, study opportunities, and Finnish work culture. Participants receive support in Ukrainian, Russian, and Arabic with CVs, job applications, interview preparation, and understanding work rights. In addition to practical guidance, the coaching helps participants build confidence, identify their strengths, and navigate the expectations of Finnish employers. Group sessions create opportunities to share experiences and learn from others in similar situations, while individual meetings ensure that each participant’s personal goals and needs are taken into account.

The Tsemppari office, located at Leinikkitie 22 A, 01350 Vantaa (2nd floor), is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 15:00, providing accessible and inclusive support for migrants. The project builds on nine years of development by the City of Vantaa, aiming to strengthen cooperation between authorities and NGOs and to promote equal opportunities in the Finnish labor market.

Service hours by language:

Arabic:

  • Leinikkitie 22 A (2nd floor): Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 10:00–15:00
  • Vernissakatu 1 (3rd floor, meeting room Valo): Wednesday, 10:00–15:00

Ukrainian and Russian:

  • Leinikkitie 22 A (2nd floor): Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, 10:00–15:00
  • Vernissakatu 1 (3rd floor, meeting room Valo): Thursday, 10:00–15:00

Contact our Tsemppari Coaches

If you’re looking for support in your job search or career path, feel free to reach out to our Tsemppari coaches based on your preferred language

Arabic-speaking coach:

Ukrainian & Russian-speaking coaches:

Olena Feloniuk
Tsemppari Coach
📧 olena@startuprefugees.com

Oleksandr Puzyrnyy
Career Coach, Southern Finland
📧 oleksandr@startuprefugees.com
📞 +358 44 240 8261



Mentoring For a Better Future

The Startup Refugees Mentoring Program supports newcomers in building their careers in Finland by connecting them with experienced professionals across different sectors. Through personalised guidance and sector-specific insight, the program helps participants understand opportunities in the Finnish labour market and present their skills effectively to employers.

Mentoring is provided through one-on-one meetings where mentors and mentees work together on job search strategies, career planning, and understanding Finnish work culture. Participants receive support with CVs and LinkedIn profiles, interview preparation, and expanding their professional networks, while gaining valuable perspectives from professionals already working in Finland.

The program has grown steadily over the years through collaborations with companies and organisations such as Tietoevry, Netlight, Telia, Plan International, Amnesty, Diakonissalaitos, Sweco, and Nordea. These partnerships ensure that the mentoring responds to real labour market needs and offers relevant, up-to-date knowledge. With nine mentoring programs organised so far, the initiative continues to strengthen pathways for newcomers seeking meaningful employment and equal opportunities in Finland.

Read the latest press release by Tietoevry here.