The Startup Refugees Arctic Mentors project promotes migrant 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.

The project involves collaboration with Rovaniemi and Ranua municipalities and aims to influence regional employment service reforms, enhancing long-term migrant employment and changing attitudes.

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