Development of services for the Roma population
The objectives of developing Roma services include developing evidence-based practices for social welfare and health care services in accordance with the objectives of the National Roma Policy (ROMPO3):
- Creating culturally sensitive tools for monitoring the service needs and inclusion of Roma people
- Safeguarding the equality and accessibility of service structures for the Roma population
- Strengthening the active agency, resources and life management skills of the Roma people.
The services for the Roma population are developed in five organisations.
The City of Kajaani collects experience-based information on the service experiences and needs of Roma people and migrants and develops services together with the target group and service providers.
Contact information:
Ramona Grönstrand
Project Manager
Tel +358 40 184 1057
[email protected]
Setlementti Tampere Association develops, pilots and models the service paths strengthening the inclusion and equity of Roma people as a part of the service ecosystem. As part of this work, cultural expert activities for people with a Roma background will be developed, modelled and piloted in the period 2024–2025. In addition, ‘culture companions’ with a Roma background will be trained to serve as instructors, support persons or mentors in the service system.
Dialogue workshops are organised to dismantle prejudices and prevent minority stress experienced by Roma people. To foster a positive Roma identity and agency, workshops and groups will be organised by and for Roma people. Setlementti Tampere also develops and pilots cultural and gender-sensitive personal support and psychosocial support.
Further information (in Finnish)
Contact information:
Michelle Kasa
Project Coordinator
Tel. +358 50 4304773
[email protected]
Mari Keväänranta
Project Worker
Tel. 0505771223
[email protected]
In the project, Romano Missio Association develops a training programme focusing on the special needs of Roma women aimed at the personnel of the wellbeing services counties and parties engaged in work sensitive to women’s specific needs. The training package focuses on encountering Roma women and improving services, with the aim of increasing understanding of the Roma culture and improving the quality and accessibility of services.
In addition, peer and growth groups will be implemented to support the resources and life management of Roma women and to collect information on the causes of exclusion and coping methods. This work will also include developing and piloting the KokoNainen rehabilitation model, which is aimed at women at risk of social exclusion and women with a criminal and substance abuse background.
Further information on the Association's website (in Finnish)
Contact information:
Pia Kara
Project Coordinator
Tel. +358 50 324 1010
[email protected]
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) produces ethical guidelines for data collection and evaluation work with the Roma population and prepares strategic guidelines for monitoring the service needs of the Roma population. In addition, THL examines the experiences of the Roma population on the suitability of the Sokra Inclusion Indicator to measure the inclusion of the Roma population.
THL also explores the views of the Roma population on how collective culture is reflected in experiences of inclusion and experiences of healthcare and social welfare services and draws up recommendations for developing social services based on the gathered information.
Contact information:
Marko Stenroos
Senior Researcher
Tel. +358 29 524 8423
[email protected]
Nadja Lindgren-Blomerus
Planning Officer
Tel. +358 29 524 7165
[email protected]
University of Helsinki is producing research-based information on the inclusion of Roma men in social welfare and health care services. The research explores, for example, barriers to accessing services, user experiences, and possible experiences of discrimination through interviews and participatory methods.
The study also aims to shed light on structural racism and anti-gypsyism in Finland. The results will be used to produce publications, guidelines, recommendations, and training materials for professionals in the social welfare and health care sectors.
Contact information:
Malte Gasche
Senior Researcher
Tel. +358 44 0522883
[email protected]
Sami Koskelainen
Doctoral Researcher
[email protected]
