KOTO24-reform offers municipalities opportunities to develop integration services.

The role of municipalities in integration is growing. They must now design broader service packages and create ecosystems that effectively support comprehensive integration.

Many municipalities are currently facing difficult questions. How can we respond to labor shortages, population decline, and education budget cuts? The KOTO24 reform introduces new responsibilities, but at the same time, it opens opportunities to develop integration services more flexibly and cost-effectively.

Systemic challenges can be solved through multisectoral cooperation

The field of integration faces many challenges that require comprehensive solutions. Finland’s population is aging, and many industries are struggling with labor shortages. Within the immigrant population, there is untapped workforce potential, but tightening integration funding makes the situation more complex. This creates pressure to find sustainable and innovative ways to ensure successful integration and make full use of Finland’s available labor force.

As a national actor, Spring House has already been involved in addressing regional challenges in cooperation with cities, municipalities, educational institutions, and employers. Solving systemic challenges requires strong collaboration across sectors.

With the reform, the municipalities’ responsibility for integration services will expand from quota refugees to also include those integrating through employment. Municipalities will need to take a strategic, broad-based, and long-term approach that brings partners together in organizing integration services. This collaboration will make it possible to implement truly comprehensive and sustainable solutions in the future.

Finnish integration training stands strong in international comparison

Integration training in Finland has long been an effective and internationally respected system, but recent funding cuts have raised concerns about the sufficiency of resources in the future. Well-managed integration not only prevents inequality but also strengthens the vitality of municipalities, which is why maintaining its quality is critically important.

The KOTO24 reform encourages all actors, both municipalities and service providers, to find innovative and flexible ways to organize integration training.

Spring House has provided nationwide integration training for more than 20 years. In our training solutions, we have focused on combining work and integration training. We believe that work is the best form of integration, but language skills are also essential. This remains our guiding principle in the post-KOTO24 era.

More flexible and effective solutions for integration training

To make integration training more efficient and flexible, several development paths can be considered. The key lies in multisectoral cooperation, where private service providers and traditional educational institutions complement each other, creating a holistic service ecosystem. This approach allows local adaptation to varying needs and enables flexible service delivery in different regions.

To achieve high-quality and cost-effective integration training, particular attention should be given to the following areas:

• Tailored learning paths: Integration training should always start from the individual’s background, needs, and readiness. Each integration journey is unique, and personalized training speeds up the process.
• Integration training and working life connections: Developing language and employability skills is central to successful integration. Work-oriented training solutions that include practical placements and networking opportunities accelerate entry into the labor market.
• Flexible learning formats: Integration training must consider local and situational needs. Digital platforms, hybrid models, and remote learning can increase accessibility and flexibility, especially in sparsely populated areas or when participant numbers fluctuate.
• Multisectoral support and guidance: Employment-oriented support and coaching should be offered through close collaboration between employment authorities, education providers, and companies to ensure comprehensive guidance toward working life.

Successful integration begins with the individual’s own background and capabilities, as every integration path is different. As a long-term provider of integration training, Spring House has developed approaches that build tailored solutions based on each participant’s skills, supporting their employment and integration into both their community and Finnish society.

Collaboration and innovation for the future of integration

Municipalities need strong expert partners as the integration law reforms and the number of newcomers fluctuates. At Spring House, we are committed to long-term collaboration that delivers results. Together, we can develop innovative, work-oriented integration training solutions that meet the needs of both municipalities and the labor market.

Is your municipality ready to build the integration services of the future with an expert partner? Contact us, and together we will find the right solutions for your region.