Sports and Work and Their Importance in Immigrant Integration
Schmieder, Jan (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025121134825
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025121134825
Tiivistelmä
This thesis explores how sports and work help immigrants to integrate, based on a comparative analysis. In this case, the author focuses on two Finnish-based organizations. One of the NGOs is Tulip Ry, which is based in Valkeakoski, and the second NGO, referred to as “NGO 2” in this research, is based in Helsinki.
Through this comparative case, the research analyzes how community sports as a grassroots integration method and structured employment programs support immigrants for social inclusion and job opportunities.
The theoretical framework is subjected to the integration theory and social capital theory, which, combined, explain how participation in team sports, community activities, and employment programs can help to foster the feeling of belonging and inclusion. The study uses a comparative analysis, which is based on desk research. The data that has been collected was run by stakeholders of the two compared organizations, to verify that the gathered data is correct. In order to capture data such as social dynamics, personal meaning, and community interactions, which have been extracted from previous interviews by, for example, newspaper articles and previous research, a qualitative design was chosen.
The findings enable showcasing how these elements allow for fostering a replicable and comprehensive integration process, where both social and economic participation create a feeling of belonging. NGOs play a vital role in merging and nourishing these elements, building cultural bridges, and creating career openings.
The research ends with further suggestions for the commissioning firm and governing authorities to promote and strengthen collaborations with policy makers and businesses to support the employability of
immigrants in Finland.
Through this comparative case, the research analyzes how community sports as a grassroots integration method and structured employment programs support immigrants for social inclusion and job opportunities.
The theoretical framework is subjected to the integration theory and social capital theory, which, combined, explain how participation in team sports, community activities, and employment programs can help to foster the feeling of belonging and inclusion. The study uses a comparative analysis, which is based on desk research. The data that has been collected was run by stakeholders of the two compared organizations, to verify that the gathered data is correct. In order to capture data such as social dynamics, personal meaning, and community interactions, which have been extracted from previous interviews by, for example, newspaper articles and previous research, a qualitative design was chosen.
The findings enable showcasing how these elements allow for fostering a replicable and comprehensive integration process, where both social and economic participation create a feeling of belonging. NGOs play a vital role in merging and nourishing these elements, building cultural bridges, and creating career openings.
The research ends with further suggestions for the commissioning firm and governing authorities to promote and strengthen collaborations with policy makers and businesses to support the employability of
immigrants in Finland.