support after separation for multicultural families in luvn area
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Divorce in multicultural families can be complex, and even authorities do not always have the answers. By raising awareness, we can protect families and children and reduce the burden on society.
This time, Familia in partnership with Mirsal and Kaapatutlapset is starting a new one-year project that supports intercultural and multicultural families going through separation, divorce, and custody situations. This project is funded by the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County (LUVN) and a continuation from the project from 2025. The project is especially for:
Through peer support groups, guidance, and webinars, we aim to:
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Are you working with multicultural families in the LUVN area? We are open to collaboration and welcome connections with professionals and organizations interested in referrals, joint activities, or developing support together. Get in touch with us to learn more at: [email protected]
past activities
upcoming activities
Are you navigating life after separation and looking for guidance or support?
We are organizing activities this Fall, focusing on key topics for multicultural families:
These activities offer practical insights, space for reflection, and the opportunity to learn in a supportive environment. Workshops are mainly held in English with Finnish as a support language. Childcare will be provided for children 2-8yro. if needed. Coffee, tea, and snacks will be offered.
All activities are primarily intended for residents of the LUVN area, but everyone is welcome to join.
We are organizing activities this Fall, focusing on key topics for multicultural families:
- Info Session: Child Custody Disputes: Understanding the Role & Power of Child Protection Services, the Court & the Police
When: Wednesday 4.11. from 17.00-19.00
Where: Online (Teams)
Language: English and Finnish
Guest Expert: Kinchit Reddhiman (Family Law) - Workshop: Understanding Children's Rights. Organized by Kaapatut Lapset in collaboration with ETKL
When: Tuesday, 20.10. from 18.00-19.30
Where: Online
Language: Finnish (we will try to accomodate English as much as possible. Questions in English are welcome!)
- Workshop: Guidance on Co-Parenting. In collaboration with ETKL. Organized by Familia.
When: 17.11. from 17.00-19.00
Where: (In-person. Location TBC)
Language: English and Finnish
These activities offer practical insights, space for reflection, and the opportunity to learn in a supportive environment. Workshops are mainly held in English with Finnish as a support language. Childcare will be provided for children 2-8yro. if needed. Coffee, tea, and snacks will be offered.
All activities are primarily intended for residents of the LUVN area, but everyone is welcome to join.
for professionals
We organize free online lectures for professionals working with intercultural and multicultural families experiencing separation and different family situations. The lectures are held in Finnish and are particularly aimed at professionals working in the LUVN area, but participation is open to professionals more broadly.
Upcoming activities:
Upcoming activities:
- Webinar: International Child Abduction: Perspectives on Prevention
When: Thursday, 29.10. from 18.00-19.30
Where: Online
Language: Finnish
For more information contact Heli Väisänen at: [email protected]
Organized by Kaapatut Lapset
What professionals told us
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At the beginning of 2026, Kaapatut Lapset conducted a survey to better understand the experiences, needs and challenges of professionals working with intercultural and multicultural families in situations involving separation and different family arrangements.
The results help us identify areas where professionals need more information, tools and support, and guide the development of Eri Polut activities. |
KEY FINDINGS
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did you know?
After a divorce, or during the reconsideration period, parents can make an agreement together on matters concerning children, for example custody and parenting schedules. If an agreement cannot be made together, assistance can be sought from the child welfare office in your municipality, or through family mediation. The last option is an agreement through a decision by the court.
Intercultural and multicultural relationships have a higher rate of separation compared to relationships between partners from the same cultural background. For example, marriages between a person with a Finnish background and a person with a foreign background have a higher divorce rate (around 3.5%) compared to marriages between two people with a foreign background (around 2%) or two people with a Finnish background (around 1.1%).
In 2024, more than 1,800 marriages between a Finnish-background and a foreign-background partner ended in divorce, accounting for approximately 16% of all divorces in Finland that year. In families where at least one parent has an immigrant background, separation can also involve additional complexities. For example, the risk of a child being taken abroad without the other parent’s consent may be higher in some situations.
Intercultural and multicultural relationships have a higher rate of separation compared to relationships between partners from the same cultural background. For example, marriages between a person with a Finnish background and a person with a foreign background have a higher divorce rate (around 3.5%) compared to marriages between two people with a foreign background (around 2%) or two people with a Finnish background (around 1.1%).
In 2024, more than 1,800 marriages between a Finnish-background and a foreign-background partner ended in divorce, accounting for approximately 16% of all divorces in Finland that year. In families where at least one parent has an immigrant background, separation can also involve additional complexities. For example, the risk of a child being taken abroad without the other parent’s consent may be higher in some situations.
COLLABORATORS
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Useful links about divorce and separation in Finland
In this section, we have collected materials that may be useful to the trained Eri polut community ambassadors, as well as others interested in the topic. Resources are added throughout the project!
Apua eroon.fi in English - information about divorce and online chat where you can discuss with a professional
Apua eroon.fi in English - information about divorce and online chat where you can discuss with a professional
Videos about family separation by MLL Helsinki (5 videos). Available also in Finnish, Russian, Arabic, Swedish and Somali:
Meet the staff
Yanika Wilen (Familia ry and Mirsal) Project Coordinator
Contact information: [email protected]
Yvette Ahonen (Familia ry) Communications and Marketing
Contact information: [email protected]
Contact information: [email protected]
Yvette Ahonen (Familia ry) Communications and Marketing
Contact information: [email protected]
Materials by the project
Materials made by the project will be added here for future use.
Different paths divorce cards
These cards are helpful for those who want to organize a support group. They are helpful for engaging discussion and sparking conversation. Participants can chose few topics that might be of interest. These cards can also serve as “reminder notes” when a facilitator guides the group. Topics include: Division of Property, Children Custody, among others.
You can print the cards double-sided on A4 paper and then cut them in half. |
organizing an eri polut group
This checklist is helpful for those who would like to start a support group and would like to have more information of how to facilitate the activity. Includes tips and suggestions for questions, how to promote the group, and even practical matters like offering snacks.
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