The Finnish model of the Neighbourhood
Mothers’ project is currently being
implemented in five cities - Vantaa, Espoo,
Lappeenranta, Helsinki and Imatra. Both the
pilot and the current projects are jointly
funded by the European Social Fund, the
cities of Vantaa, Espoo and Helsinki, and
the Social and Health Care Department of
South Karelia district.
Unlike the German model, the Finnish
Neighbourhood Mothers’ project follows a
holistic approach: Neighbourhood Mothers
in Finland do not necessarily concentrate
on single families, but focus more on the
overall activation of families and people
living in a certain area. This happens
through the organization of movie and
discussion evenings, excursions or
handicraft afternoons where women just
spend time together, away from their daily
home routines. Compared to Germany, the
training period for Neighbourhood Mothers
in Finland is shorter and focuses on
questions such as, “What kind of
Neighbourhood Mother would I like to be?”
and “How can I make a change?”
One of the first Neighbourhood Mothers in
Finland, was Winnie Mwova. She describes
what being a Neighbourhood Mother
means to her:
The future of the Neighbourhood Mothers’
project
Even as the Neighbourhood Mothers’ project is
successful and fills a much-needed void in the
society, one of the challenges is the need for
continuous financing. Neighbourhood Mothers
in Germany receive a salary, but only for a year.
So, because of financial constraints, after a
year, qualified and trained women who have
built up an extensive network and are known
amongst their peer and neighbourhood
groups, are no longer part of the
Neighbourhood Mothers project. While, in
Finland, a Neighbourhood Mother works
voluntarily and is not salaried. So, even though
a lot of work is being done on a voluntary basis,
the Neighbourhood Mothers’ project in
Finland, just as its counterparts in other
countries, relies heavily on funding from the
EU, and unfortunately, often, on the good will
of the country’s government. The focus must
be to ensure that the program and activity
continues, not only for the benefit of the
Neighbourhood Mothers, but also for the
groups and institutions who benefit from their
work. One way of doing this is by
mainstreaming the work of the Neighbourhood
Mother as a bridging program towards
employment through cooperation with
kindergartens and schools. Another important
To me, Neighbourhood Mothers means that aspect to also consider is for the lateral entry
you gain information. Even though I have into social work fields for qualified
been living here for so long, I have received Neighbourhood Mothers who have a network
so much knowledge before. I know of a few and who have already gained the trust of their
women who have almost no knowledge of peer groups.Today, more than ever, our society
how anything works in Finland, just like me is changing: it is multicultural and diverse. In
in the beginning. I am ready to spread this such a changing scenario, it is vital to carry the
knowledge and to try to help others and
idea of Neighbourhood Mothers forward we
share information where it is needed. I feel need people who have earned the trust of
I’m a different person after Neighbourhood communities and are qualified and trained to
Mothers, I’ve relaxed a lot. Now am not
act as bridges between cultures. Only by
stressed and shouting, but smiling and
working together and by understanding each
laughing!
other is it possible to overcome difficulties and
problems, and only then can we celebrate
success and appreciate the knowledge of
cultural prosperity.