New approaches for the integration of immigrants are needed

Immigration to the Nordic region has increased fast during recent decades. Simulta-neously, the immigration flows have changed and a large portion of the newcomers come to the Nordic countries as asylum seekers. These developments promote the need for revisiting and developing approaches for the successful integration of migrants in to the Nordic societies. The traditional integration policies emphasize education, employment and access to basic services. Nature-based integration can offer a new perspective to meet these challenges.

EU presses for more nature-based solutions to societal challenges

EU promotes nature-based solutions as an efficient way to address simultaneously environmental, economic and social problems especially in urban areas. Nature-based solutions are inspired and supported by nature, are cost-effective and pro-vide environmental, social and economic benefits. Nature contributes to people’s quality of life and happiness. Natural areas offer important sites for leisure and recreation and bring people together. Further, nature improves public health and can play an important role in health promotion and diseases prevention as a part of the public health plans and actions.

Nature as an “obvious” solution in Nordic countries

Nature is an important asset to the citizens in the Nordic countries. Outdoor recrea-tion is considered as a part of the cultural identity, e.g. reflected in the Scandinavian term “friluftsliv”. Nature is used for recreation, restoration and a place for vari-ous activities throughout the four seasons. Nordic people use nature to be alone, but also use it to socialize. Nature is often included as a component of education, health care and welfare. Living a healthy life close to nature are values embraced throughout the Nordic region. Nature is a key to the Nordic society and culture.

Asylum requests to Nordic countries

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ORIGIN – Outdoor recreation, nature interpretation and integration in Nordic countriesFinnish Environment Institute (SYKE)University of Copenhagen (UCPH)Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA)Funded by Nordic Council of Ministers (NCM)

a solution for immigrant integration in Nordic countries

Nature-basedintegration

Innovative bottom-up practices paving the way for nature-based integrationInterest in nature-based solutions for immigrant integra-tion has expanded rapidly in Nordic countries. Various NGOs and community groups have developed practices to introduce the newcomers to Nordic nature and its various benefits. The results of these practices have been promising and the practitioners in outdoor recreation and immigration work have raised several benefits of nature for integration.

Examples of innovative Nordic practices

Biotopia’s adventure groups ► www.biotopia.nuBiotopia’s adventure groups improve integration of young immigrants through nature and outdoor activities. Biotopia offers a broad palette of activities from building nest boxes for birds to climbing and has arranged more than 60 events since Feb-2017. Biotopia’s Facebook group with more than 100 participants attracts new members frequently. Several of the immigrants have attended activities more than once and found a new hobby through the organized activities.

Outdoor life for minority groups► www.midt-agderfriluft.noOutdoor life for minority groups introduces asylum seekers and immigrants to outdoor recreation. First immigrants are introduced to the near-by nature in cities and then taken fur-ther to the forests, sea and mountains. The practice has been running since 2002 with support from the Norwegian Govern-ment. Through learning about nature, how to use it and laws and regulations related to nature, immigrants increase their knowledge about Norwegian culture and lifestyle.

Esikoto project► www.metsa.fi/esikotoEsikoto project provides outdoor voluntary work for asylum seekers while waiting for a decision on the residence permit. Working outdoor in nature reserves and national parks make the participants familiar with nature and Finnish outdoor culture. Besides knowledge about Finnish nature and culture, the participants value high feeling useful by doing conserva-tion work and learning new skills.

Fakti’s garden► www.fakti.dkFakti’s garden is a therapeutic garden for adult immigrant women in a vulnerable health condition with limited education, low Danish language skills and low socio-economic status. Gardening and cooking together and the simple restorative and stress reducing exercises in the garden reduce social isolation and improve the participants’ quality of life. The women describe how the garden improves their mental state, increases their social networking and that they feel proud of creating and growing the garden.

Benefits of nature

for integration according to practitioners

Nature is for free and there is free admittance Nature is a calm environment and gives the professionals the opportunity to observe the participants

Nature can improve mental and physical health Nature is a meeting place for locals and immigrants

Nature is part of Nordic traditions and culture

Nature is flexible and can be used for a variety of different activities

ORIGIN – Outdoor recreation, nature interpretation and integration in Nordic countries | SYKE | University of Copenhagen | SLU | NINA |

Evidence is growing on the benefits of nature for immigrants

Nature promotes social interactions and place attachmentResearch has shown that parks are inclu-sive places that stimulate social interac-tions and mixing of people with different ethnic backgrounds, both minority and majority populations. Public green spaces are the most important places for children and youth to make friends across ethnic groups. Green spaces are important for developing feelings of place attachment and familiar natural elements create a link between home and host countries.

Nature improves health and well-beingImportantly, nature is in many ways linked to immigrants’ quality of life and well-being. Urban nature helps im-migrants to feel comfortable and enjoy their living environment. Natural envi-ronments promote immigrants’ psycho-logical and emotional well-being. Nature directly improves health of immigrants and other population groups through disease prevention, exposure to benefi-cial natural microbiota and encouraging physical exercise.

Three pillars of nature-based integrationThere are several ways nature can sup-port the integration of immigrants in Nordic countries and beyond. Through nature-based integration immigrants get familiarized with the local environ-ment, but more importantly, nature-based integration empowers them to take part in their new society.

Building identity through enhancing

social interaction and creation of

positive place attachment.

Improving capabilities

through education, teaching job skills

and promoting health and well-being.

Providing positive experiences through nature activities that stimulate mentally and physically.

Socialinteraction

Physical experiences

Mentalexperiences

Health &well-being

Place attachement

Activities

Job skills

1

2

3

The three pillars of nature-based integration:

Education

ORIGIN – Outdoor recreation, nature interpretation and integration in Nordic countries | SYKE | University of Copenhagen | SLU | NINA |

Nordic Council of Ministers (NCM) has funded project ORIGIN (2016-2018) to increase the understanding of the role of nature in the successful integration of immigrants into the Nordic societies. ORIGIN has launched Nordic cooperation within “nature-based integration” and established a network bringing together researchers, third sector organisations and public and private actors working in the fields of immigrant integration, nature and outdoor recreation. ORIGIN has launched annual Nordic workshops on nature-based integra-tion to bring together practitioners and researchers. The results of the project and several examples of Nordic practices are presented in the project publications:

Pitkänen, K. et al. 2017. Nature-based integration. Nordic experiences and examples. TemaNord 2017:517. Nordic Council of Ministers. http://dx.doi.org/10.6027/TN2017-517

Gentin, S. et al. 2018. Defining nature-based integration – perspectives and practices from the Nordic countries. Reports of the Finnish Environment Institute 16/2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10138/236244

REFERENCES

Bosch, M. & Bird, W. (eds) 2018. Oxford Textbook Nature and Public Health, the role of nature in improving the health of a population. Oxford University Press, Oxford.

European Commission 2015. Towards an EU Research and Innovation policy agenda for Nature-Based Solutions & Re-Naturing Cities. European Union. http://dx.doi.org/10.2777/765301

Jay, M. & Schraml, U. 2009. Understanding the role of urban forests for migrants – uses, perception and integrative potential. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 8, 283-294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2009.07.003

Leikkilä, J. Faehnle, M. & Galanakis, M. 2013. Promoting interculturalism by planning of urban nature. Urban Forestry & Greening 12, 183-190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2013.02.002

Peters, K., Elands, B. & Buijs, A., 2010. Social interactions in urban parks: Stimulating social cohesion? Urban For. Urban Green. 9, 93–100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2009.11.003

Peters, K., Stodolska, M. & Horolets, A. 2016. The role of natural environments in developing a sense of belonging: A comparative study of immigrants in the U.S., Poland, the Netherlands and Germany. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 17, 63-70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2016.04.001

Seeland k, Dubendorfer S, Hansmann R. 2009. Making friends in Zurich's urban forests and parks: The role of public green space for social inclusion of youths from different cultures. Forest Policy and Economics 11: 10-17.

Stodolska, M., Peters, K., Horolets, A. 2017. Immigrants’ Adaptation and Interracial/Interethnic Interactions in Natural Environments. Leisure Sciences 39, 475–491. https://doi.org/10.1080/01490400.2016.1213676

STATISTICS

National statistical institutes: Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Norwegian Directorate of Immigration and the Swedish Migration Board.

AUTHORS

Kati Pitkänen1, Sandra Gentin2, Ann Dolling3, Anna María Pálsdóttir3, Søren Præstholm2, Helene Figari4, Anna Maria Chondromatidou2, Aleksandra Riki1.

1 Finnish Environment Institute, SYKE2 University of Copenhagen3 Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SLU4 Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, NINA

Photos: Sandra Gentin, Aleksandra Riki & Anu Seppälä.

Layout: Satu Turtiainen and Aleksandra Riki, SYKE. 2018

More information on nature-based integration

Suomen ympäristökeskus

Finlands miljöcentral

Finnish Environment Institute