Inclusive approach outcomes in development projects for cultural and linguistic minorities – an interview study

A Finnish initiative called TUULI project, led by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, was launched in 2019 to respond to the need of providing accessible psychoeducational material for newly arrived refugees and for professionals working with them. This study investigates the co-creation process of the TUULI project and how participants of refugee backgrounds and professionals working with them perceived said process. Furthermore, this study investigates the factors that need to be considered to enable meaningful participation and to ensure experience of inclusion for cultural and linguistic minorities. The data were collected by semi-structured, in-depth interviews from 10 participants, five of whom were experts working with refugees and five of whom were of refugee backgrounds, using Teams video software. The interviews were recorded with consent and professionally transcribed for analysis. The data were analysed with thematic analysis, which included familiarization, coding, grouping, sorting, reviewing and revising, and, lastly, formulating the main themes and subthemes. The key themes pertaining to factors that need to be considered were centred on personal factors, cultural factors, factors related to the community and societal factors. The importance of providing feedback throughout the project, iterative communication with the participants, involving the target group at every stage of the project and the facilitation of a supportive and safe environment were emphasized. Participants had mostly positive perceptions of the co-creation process; they felt heard, included and safe enough to share their opinions and express their views. According to their viewpoints, the project was executed, managed and planned in a satisfactory manner, leading to gains on both personal and professional levels. Issues and challenges related to the project included communication breakdowns, prolonged duration, technical issues when conducting the remotely held meetings, and the feeling of insufficient inclusion of the target group in shaping the agenda and content of the project. The findings highlight the importance of a thorough and multifaceted approach in development projects involving cultural and linguistic minorities. This includes active engagement of the community under investigation, fostering effective and continuous interactive communication as well as ensuring the provision of feedback to participants during and after a project.