For a decade, Think Africa has been uplifting the African diaspora in Finland through three pillars of impact; promoting their well-being and sense of belonging; advocating for their meaningful representation and participation; and supporting their economic empowerment. In a world where unity and progress are crucial, the African diaspora in Finland has risen to the challenge, igniting change and inspiring hope. We are a community-driven organisation dedicated to the participation, representation, diversity, and collaboration between the African diaspora and Finnish society. In 2024, we celebrate 10 years of engaging minds, promoting unity, and empowering the African diaspora in Finland.
One of the best things about being a part of Think Africa is the sense of community that is built and the networks that are formed through varying activities and active communication channels. Join us on a journey, as we revisit some of our impactful initiatives. These initiatives rest on three pillars: Sense of Community and Fun, Economic Empowerment, and Advocacy.
Sense of Community & Fun
The Lounge, started by our members in 2019, is a monthly meeting space designed for connecting and discussing current issues. Entirely volunteer-run, it has facilitated discussions on a range of topics, including integration, immigration, well-being, entrepreneurship, research, and politics. Today, the Lounge runs as a hybrid format which allows for more attendance. Complementing the Lounge is the Creative(s) Corner, a hybrid get together which hosts creatives in different fields that share their stories, their creative processes, and network. The Creative(s) Corner has featured in prominent events such as AfroJazz Club goes Alppipuisto and Fest Afrika.
The longest running and flagship series of events that has continued to bring many of us together is Think Africa Week. Since its inception in 2013, Think Africa Week has become an annual fixture in Finland, inspiring an inclusive future for the African diaspora in the country. As Tiina Juvonen, one of the founding members of Think Africa Week describes:
“Everything started when I returned from Kampala (where I was collecting data for my master’s thesis) to Helsinki in March 2013 and started working at Helsinki Think Company where we were given free hands to create what inspired us – that is how I started to gather students (such as Joni Karjalainen), entrepreneurs (such as Riku Aakala and Leslie Asamoa) and researchers together who were somehow connected to Africa. We had more enthusiasm than knowledge then but the organising team was inspired and we created a meaningful week of events together.
After that [I ended up in Addis Ababa working with the innovation community there and by the time I returned to Finland] Joni & Riku (together with Sarah Laaru & Halifa Mjengwa etc.) had created an organisation around Think Africa.”
Economic Empowerment
The economic empowerment of the diaspora is central to Think Africa’s mission. Our community faces significant hurdles in securing employment and advancing their entrepreneurial ventures in Finland for a variety of reasons. To address these challenges, we concentrate on three main areas:
- Supporting the diaspora in finding employment in their areas of interest and expertise.
- Supporting the growth of entrepreneurs.
- Providing access to freelancing opportunities.
Some of the previous and on-going efforts under this pillar include:
The Art Mentorship program, which ran for one year in 2016, paired emerging diaspora artists with experienced mentors who provided guidance, advice, and networking opportunities. Renowned diaspora artists such as Mad Ice and Bossina were among the program’s participants.
In 2019, the Professional Career Mentorship Programme for Foreigners was established. Rebranded as Think Career in 2023, the program addresses the challenges of building professional networks in a new country, offering a supportive environment for individuals from diverse backgrounds. Initially volunteer-driven, the program has since got external funding, which has allowed us to hire staff to lead the initiative.
Often the challenge of employment in Finland begins at an early age. The Youth Education Performance Programme, YEPP, was initiated in 2021 to support the educational performance of immigrant youths through mentorship and tutoring. This initiative has since grown to be an independent non-profit organisation with a wider offering for the community.
Think Africa has also recognised the important role that entrepreneurs have in society and as potential employers. We have organised several programmes and events supporting networking and information sharing, including Slush side events. This year also sees the launch of Afara Marketplace, a platform for the African diaspora professionals to connect with Finnish organisations and projects. In addition to facilitating business connections, we collaborate on various initiatives aimed at promoting cultural understanding and fostering meaningful relationships with the African diaspora and Finnish organisations.
Advocacy
We believe in the power of civic participation and representation. Through activities like the Harambee podcast, iVote series and ETNO membership (as part of the Advisory Board for the Southern Finland Ethnic Relations under the Ministry of Justice), Think Africa has been able to create awareness, share information, and encourage participation in society.
Our journey is far from over. We are thankful for all the volunteers, members and partners that have made it possible for Think Africa to continue this mission. We invite you to join Think Africa. Be a part of our story, our future, and a more inclusive Finland. As the saying goes, if you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together.
Join our community: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeEGXVJ3ENyHMTxWgv93kvZYN6R4AUqesEmGk7lGmPIk-dC1g/viewform
Find out more:
Think Africa: Creative(s) Corner
Think Africa: Afara Marketplace
Think Africa is HyTe’s member association. Find all our member associations here.
