Our work in Finland

In the I am European project, we highlight different aspects of migration, provide reliable information on the topic, and train young journalists to create diverse journalism on migration. The goal of this EU project is to foster a more open and tolerant attitude toward immigrants and refugees.

The internet and social media are flooded with information about migration, but amidst the mix of opinions and facts, it is difficult to discern what is actually true and what is a belief declared as truth. Interpreting public discourse requires knowledge and the ability to critically engage with different media.

The I am European project, or internationally known as “I am European: Migration Stories & Facts for the 21st Century,” is a global education project implemented in eight countries and funded by the European Commission. In addition to Finland, the project is carried out in Estonia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Germany, Latvia, and Lithuania.

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The project aims to increase young people’s understanding of the various aspects of migration and global movement, strengthen empathy, and provide tools to critically evaluate information from different sources. The goal is that growing understanding will lead to actions that promote tolerance.
Some of the project activities are carried out at the national level, while others – such as the social media campaign aimed at young people – are implemented across all partner countries.

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We aim, among other things, to diversify media content on migration by training young journalists from Finland, other project countries, and the Global South. Young journalists will also be given opportunities for study trips to destinations relevant to migration and provided with grants for producing investigative stories on the topic.

During the project, discussions and events will be organized across Finland, videos showcasing the stories of young immigrants will be produced, and opportunities created by augmented reality and virtual reality will be utilized. The project will also produce a toolkit for educators working with young people, which will include information on migration as well as materials and tips for addressing the topic.

During the project, Vikes also offers other Finnish organizations the opportunity to join the activities, particularly in the areas of global education and youth-focused initiatives. Vikes also funds these sub-projects.

The project is supported by the European Commission. The 2020 trainings were supported by the Oskar Öflund Foundation, and the 2021 series of workshops were supported by the Finnish Adult Education Fund and the Otto A. Malmi Donation Fund. Private donors are also needed. You can support journalist training here.