It all started with a simple question: Could we make Finnish workplaces more inclusive by empowering immigrants already working in these companies?
The idea came from conversations I’d had with foreigners who shared their efforts to make their workplaces more diverse and inclusive—sometimes just by being there, other times by actively recommending other immigrants for jobs or being active in the diversity strategies of the companies.
But what if we could take this further? What if these small, quiet efforts could inspire others? What if more employed immigrants felt empowered to influence inclusivity from the inside?
Labor market integration is a challenge for immigrants worldwide, and Finland is no exception. Despite the country’s efforts to internationalize and address tens of thousands of job vacancies (Statistics Finland), many immigrants still face significant barriers to employment.
It’s a multifaceted problem that needs to be tackled from many angles. While there are initiatives that focus on helping immigrants get hired, fewer address what happens after they’re employed.
Hiring one immigrant doesn’t automatically make a workplace diverse or inclusive. It’s a starting point—and building true inclusivity requires effort, collaboration, and trust.
This is where the idea for the Inclusive Workplaces project was born.
Why this angle matters
The project’s focus was on empowering employed immigrants to champion diversity and inclusion from within their organizations. Why? Because they are uniquely positioned to make a difference.
- They understand the company culture. They know what changes might be needed and how to navigate conversations about inclusivity.
- They can increase access. By sharing open opportunities with their diverse networks, they can help expand the pool of candidates.
- They build trust. When employers see the value of hiring immigrants, it can open doors for others who look or culturally behave similarly.
The goal wasn’t just to help immigrants succeed individually but to create a ripple effect—one that could inspire companies to dialogue with the employed immigrants, to understand their perspectives and identify where any gaps or opportunities lie for more inclusive workplaces.
Turning that idea into a project
The journey from idea to reality wasn’t easy. It started in 2022 when I began pitching the concept in different forums to see if it had potential. To my surprise, there was interest.
At Think Africa, I found colleagues who believed in the idea and brought their unique skills to the table. Feven Abegaz, with her experience producing the Harambee Podcast, joined early on. Sofia Achame, the coordinator of Think Career added her expertise, and Takura Matswetu, a natural conversationalist on the topic and host, became key collaborators. In particular, with Feven, we worked tirelessly for months to secure partners and funding, even when interest didn’t immediately translate into commitments.
The project grew further when we partnered with Olivia Kumpula at International Professionals Finland (InterPro Finland), who introduced the idea of adding a magazine component, and we had been looking for a way to collaborate. Then Lucia Vuillermin at International Working Women of Finland (IWWOF) joined, bringing her marketing and integration expertise to the project.
The project also received immense support from several people, from Rufaro Rwambiwa, who balanced his work schedule to be present for recordings and later took on the shooting and editing of the episodes; Meha Bouazizi contributing her skills as a talented editor, as well as Gabriel Ebah; and Rami Kallio, Tiia-Maria Lehtonen, Sara Kaupilla who took care of the shooting and editing of 4th episode – Not only that but from the speakers; Lukumanu Iddrisu, Moussa Niang, Cecilia Quarshie, Reetta Partala and Ravi Sanghani who gave their time and shared their experiences.
It took over a year and a half to bring the Inclusive Workplaces project to life. As a volunteer-led effort, progress was naturally slower, but it was driven by passion and commitment.
We were fortunate to receive a podcast recording grant from Väinö Tanner Foundation, which included a free space and support from Jaksomedia to record three episodes. We also received support from the University of Turku free space and recording equipment to record the 4th episode. In addition, we won a small grant from the Moniheli Network Initiative. These resources, combined with the team’s dedication, made the project possible.
The outcome?
The Inclusive Workplaces Project had one main objective: to provide tools and guidance for employed immigrants to champion diversity in their workplaces. This was accomplished through two key components that were viewed by over 1,5K times and had a reach of 15K online:
- Podcast episodes: These featured stories and discussions to inspire and empower listeners.
- Magazine spread: Articles that highlighted successful strategies and organizations excelling in diversity and inclusion.
The initiative didn’t stop there. Through Think Africa’s Think Career mentorship program, the lessons learned from this project continue to spread. Mentors share their experiences with foreign talents and bring that knowledge back to their workplaces, creating a multiplier effect.
Reflections on the journey
Looking back, this project was about more than just addressing workplace inclusivity. It was about showing what’s possible when people come together to tackle a challenge. It’s also a testament to the power of platforms like Think Africa, which create spaces for proactive people to come together and test solutions to real problems.
If you haven’t yet seen the podcast episodes, check them out here and read the magazine!
And if you have an idea that could make a difference, don’t wait. Find others who share your vision, start small, and see where it takes you.
Originally published by Myriam Munezero here -> https://open.substack.com/pub/myriammunezero/p/from-an-idea-to-a-project?r=4mbgd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
