Main theme
Young refugee’s participation and decision-making
Other relevant themes
Social services, accommodation, and welfare benefits, access to health care and psychological support, access to information and legal advice
Actors involved
Partnership with Stockholm Municipality to support young adults securing a residence permit in accordance with the Upper Secondary School Act
Aims
Stockholms Stadsmission aims to assist young people up to 25 years old with migration background in re-entering the welfare system and provide support to prevent their exclusion through social and legal counselling.
Description
Young people with a migration background who transition into adulthood as undocumented lose all support from social services once they turn 18 years old if they don’t have a residence permit. In collaboration with the young person, the organisation assesses their situation and provides information about their rights and possibilities based on their specific circumstances. The project also seeks to empower the young people supported, respecting their autonomy in deciding their goals. For example, young people are supported to assert their rights and equipped with the tools to make informed decisions. The staff act as facilitators and help them explore their situation and find solutions based on their individual needs.
Additionally, the organisation seeks to enhance young people’s well-being by offering a safe space, fostering social interaction, and organising activities. The project offers a safe space where young people can meet, fulfil basic needs, engage in activities, and receive individualised support. This is complemented by providing for basic needs, offering supportive conversations, and facilitating access to healthcare services. They are supported to explore different paths for durable solutions, assisted with claiming their social rights, and provided with guidance on navigating social services, healthcare, legal matters, and education. Central to the project is the continuous work involving young people in reviewing and shaping activities. This is done, among other things, by the staff listening to the needs of the youth, for example, through surveys and group meetings where the young people share desired improvements. There are monthly group meetings together with young people where the current activities offered are reviewed, and the young people can provide suggestions and opinions. By offering participants a forum to share their thoughts and opinions on changes in the activities, the organisation and services continuously evolve for the better. By being listened to and having the opportunity to test and implement their own ideas or suggestions, the project aims to contribute to increasing their empowerment. A youth-driven and youth-founded advocacy group is also supported to organise to change the situation for undocumented youths in Sweden. The organisation acts as a facilitator, supporting these young people and sharing resources with the group to ease the work. This involves being a door opener, sharing power, knowledge, and other resources.
Results/ Outcomes
The overall strength of the project is a holistic approach which seeks to promote overall well-being and long-term, durable outcomes. Approximately 500 young people have been supported through this project.
Links to further information