Seven years ago, in connection with the conflicts in Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq, Boden's civil society launched the Boden's Integration and Society (BIS) initiative.
Within the initiative, for example, the Church of Sweden, the Red Cross and the municipality collaborate, where the various organizations contribute with their specific competence.
The project has now been developed and is used to meet the more than 470 Ukrainians who came to Boden due to the war.
Contributes with teaching
One of the more basic things that most people ask for is to learn the Swedish language and know more about Sweden: how society works and learn more about their new hometown.
- It can also be about basic needs such as clothes and hygiene items, or support and help in the form of conversations or legal aid, says Esma Berg, coordinator at Boden municipality.
The needs are both the same and different
Esma Berg believes that in the first stage it looks very similar when it comes to the help and support that is requested.
However, there are differences regarding the individuals who came here in 2015 and those who came here in 2022.
Ukrainians are covered by the Mass Refugee Directive, which, among other things, gives them automatic residence permits for one year and the opportunity to work.
- This means that the municipality of Boden has tried to review the skills of those who fled the conflict in Ukraine to see if they can enter the labor market, she says.
Hear more about what kind of skills are required in the video above.