Puijola Brothers – Building Participation and Belonging is a new approach to working with men in North Savo, supporting the wellbeing, participation and integration of men who have moved to Finland and their families. The project is funded by the European Union’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), with additional support from the City of Kuopio’s Mieliteko Fund.

Finland’s population is becoming increasingly diverse, and North Savo is also becoming more international at a rapid pace. Kuopio is home to approximately 5,000 foreign nationals and 7,000 people whose native language is other than Finnish, Swedish or Sami. Population growth is driven almost entirely by immigration. People come to the region for work, study, family reasons and to seek asylum.

Although North Savo attracts people from abroad, it has struggled to retain them. A lack of social networks and a sense of being an outsider are among the main reasons. Immigration services in Kuopio, Siilinjärvi and Central Savo have identified a clear need for services specifically for men, addressing the diverse and often unspoken challenges faced by men who have moved to Finland. Services in North Savo have been developed particularly for women and stay-at-home parents, but equivalent work focused on men has been lacking. Peer groups, role models and mentors have not been available to men, leaving many without support, even though their wellbeing plays a key role in the integration of the whole family and community.

The need for this work has also been recognised nationally. The Government Integration Programme 2024–2027, the Government Action Plan for Gender Equality (2023) and the Action Plan for the Implementation of the Istanbul Convention (2026–2033) emphasise the participation of men and boys, the prevention of violence and the dismantling of harmful traditions as part of integration efforts.

The Puijola Brothers project will establish lasting expertise and a sustainable model for work focused on men in North Savo, supporting the integration, wellbeing and participation of men who have moved to Finland. The project will strengthen the ability of public authorities and non-profit organisations to recognise men’s specific needs, respond sensitively to diversity and develop services that better reflect the lives of men and families from different backgrounds.

The project promotes gender equality, family wellbeing and social cohesion. When men find meaningful roles in society and within their families, family relationships and children’s wellbeing are also strengthened. New social networks formed through mentoring and peer activities support integration as a two-way process and foster a sense of community at the local level.

The project works closely with public authorities responsible for integration, the wellbeing services county and other organisations. Activities take place in Kuopio, Varkaus, Joroinen, Leppävirta and Siilinjärvi.

The activities are supported by the City of Kuopio’s Mieliteko Fund.

For more information, please contact:

Elisa Hämäläinen
Coordinator
elisa.hamalainen@puijola.net
Tel. +358 50 362 4103

Charlis Anderia
Community Instructor
charlis.anderia@puijola.net
Tel. +358 50 514 6908