International House South Karelia model brings together people and organisations
The International House model is being developed as part of the South Karelia employment area’s immigration and integration services. The aim is to support the settlement and employment of people who have moved to the region and to bring together relevant services and actors.
Collaboration is the key
The model is being built in cooperation with local public sector, third-sector organisations and educational institutions. In a workshop held in May, around fifty participants from various organisations gathered at Joutsenon Opisto to examine existing services, identify development needs, and explore opportunities for collaboration. The discussions highlighted the importance of supporting entrepreneurship, Finnish language education and employment.
Projects play a key role in addressing identified development needs by enabling targeted support for specific groups. For example, the TSEK – Työelämään suomen kielellä Etelä-Karjalassa (Working Life in Finnish in South Karelia) project is set to begin and will run until the end of 2026. This joint initiative by Adult Education Centre of South Karelia (EKKO), Joutsenon Opisto, and the South Karelia Summer University will offer Finnish language training to promote the employment of immigrant women and develop a new educational model.
To support entrepreneurship, Etelä-Karjalan Yrittäjät is currently developing a new kind of Entrepreneurship Starter Pack – a combination of a physical package and a digital path designed to support new entrepreneurs during their first year. One of the target groups is people with an immigrant background.
The network is also considering how to better support employers in facilitating international recruitment. For this reason, more entrepreneurs are encouraged to join the network to ensure that the employer perspective is adequately represented.
Support for the integration of families and parents is promoted by enhancing cooperation between service providers and by reaching out to parents who stay at home to care for their children.
Together we build the International House of South Karelia
The International House website will be launched by autumn, providing essential information and services for people moving to the region. The site will also include a dedicated section for employers, presenting services that support international recruitment. A newsletter and social media accounts are also being developed to provide current updates to the network and local residents.
The opening celebration of International House South Karelia will take place on Friday, August 29, 2025 at 2 PM at Kulttuuritila Nuijamies. Both partners and local residents are warmly welcome to attend. In the autumn, service point will also be opened at the Lappeenranta government agency building. Services will be offered in other municipalities in South Karelia as well. International House events will be listed in the South Karelia event calendar: event calendar.
International House has a coordinating role within the network, but the success of the initiative depends on broad collaboration. Supporting settlement requires the involvement of residents, businesses, hobby groups, and volunteer organizations. International House South Karelia is a shared effort – everyone is welcome to take part. To join the network, please contact the international affairs/educational institution coordinator, Anita Pölönen.
Further information
Anita Pölönen, international affairs/educational institution coordinator
South Karelia Employment Area
Maahanmuutto ja kotoutuminen
anita.polonen@lappeenranta.fi
Merja Heino-Kukkurainen, team leader
South Karelia Employment Area
Maahanmuutto ja kotoutuminen
merja.heino-kukkurainen@lappeenranta.fi