East Helsinki is home to diverse communities, international talent and thriving local businesses. Yet, for many residents whose first language is not Finnish or Swedish, finding employment remains a challenge. In the neighbourhoods of Itäkeskus, Vuosaari and Mellunmäki, unemployment among foreign-language speakers is particularly high. Many jobseekers have valuable skills, professional experience and motivation, but face barriers such as limited professional networks, language requirements and difficulties navigating the Finnish labour market. To address these challenges, Startup Refugees has joined forces with the City of Helsinki through the Neighbourhood Alliance (Naapurustoallianssi), an innovative partnership launched in 2026 to tackle long-term unemployment, reduce segregation and create more opportunities in East Helsinki.

Rather than expecting people to find their way to existing employment services, we are bringing support directly into their neighbourhoods. Our multilingual team works alongside local communities, organisations and businesses, meeting people in familiar places such as libraries, shopping centres and community spaces. Through personalised career coaching, skills assessments, job-search support and entrepreneurship guidance, we help residents identify their strengths and find realistic pathways into working life. A key part of our approach is providing guidance in people’s own languages and working with trusted community leaders to reach those who might otherwise remain outside traditional employment services.

At the same time, we are working closely with employers to turn local talent into real employment opportunities. By identifying companies’ recruitment needs, connecting them with suitable candidates and supporting inclusive recruitment practices, we aim to bridge the gap between jobseekers and businesses. While securing long-term employment is our main priority, we also recognise the importance of smaller steps, from work trials and part-time jobs to entrepreneurship and other opportunities that help people enter and remain in the labour market.

The Neighbourhood Alliance is also testing a new way of working together. By combining the expertise and networks of Startup Refugees, the City of Helsinki and local partners, the initiative moves beyond traditional service delivery towards a collaborative, results-driven model. During the first 18 months, the ambition is to reach 1,000–1,500 residents and support 500–750 of them into employment. Ultimately, the project is about making sure that people’s skills and potential do not go unnoticed, strengthening connections between communities and employers, and building an East Helsinki where more residents have a genuine opportunity to participate in working life.