Community Programme

Community Programme

The programme creates a more cohesive society by supporting refugees adapting to a new society, and the local or host community in including newcomers. In addition, the community programme identifies systemic and practical obstacles to adaptation and integration and ensures the rights of refugees.

community_prog_image
Support self-management of communities

Subprogrammes

Children and youth activities

A part of the community programme ERC organizes summer camps for children. The camps welcome children from both Estonian and refugee backgrounds. The aim is to give Estonian children the opportunity to get to know people from another cultural space, broaden their horizons and develop tolerance for others. For refugee children we want to give an opportunity to connect with new people, make new friends and develop self-confidence and courage in a new cultural space. 

Community events

As part of the community program, we regularly organize group activities and larger one-off family events. Participating in events and group activities helps support mental health, social and cultural adaptation, creates a sense of belonging, prevents isolation and contributes to further integration.

Language buddies

Language buddies help refugees learn Estonian. You don't have to be a philologist or a teacher to help people from another country learn a language! Language partners support formal language learning through regular language practice in regular language situations. You don't need textbooks or a curriculum, just the will to communicate with one refugee in Estonian once a week. For our part, we provide a little preparation and simple guidelines for being a language partner. 

Countries where this programme currently take place:
521

Estonian Refugee Council has been conducting various community-oriented activities since 2017.

The programme aims to create a more cohesive society by supporting refugees in adapting to a new society and the local or host community in the inclusion of newcomers. In addition, the community programme aims to identify systemic and practical obstacles to adaptation and integration and ensure the rights of refugees.

As part of the community programme, we regularly organise group activities, such as men's and women's groups, adaptation clubs, children's camps, and family events. Participating in events and group activities helps support mental well-being, and social and cultural adaptation, creates a sense of belonging, prevents isolation and contributes to further integration.

The activities of the community program give people with a refugee or migrant background the opportunity to:

  • Meet people from different backgrounds and experiences to feel that they are not alone.
  • Get support and motivation for learning the Estonian language and getting to know the culture.
  • Create new networks and acquaintances and make friends in Estonia.
  • Provide a sense of belonging and thereby improve mental well-being.
  • Actively participate in social life and thereby initiate and implement new ideas.

When organising community events, ERC considers accessibility to various vulnerable groups (for example, the LGBT community, older people, and people with special needs). The activities are organised all over Estonia, focusing mainly on regions where more people with a refugee or migrant background live. A designated community coordinator manages each regional programme.

Donor: UNHCR, The United Nations Refugee Agency

UNHCR

Upcoming community events

 
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