Fostering Integration and Belongingness: A Systemic Design Approach for Refugee-Local Resident Collaboration in Norwegian Rural Communities.

Abstract

The influx of immigrants and refugees into Norway has necessitated effective integration measures to ensure social cohesion and economic participation. This paper investigates the integration and belongingness of refugees in the Norwegian region of Trondelag Southwest, within the framework of Public Service Logic (PSL) through a systemic design approach.

Drawing upon the service ecosystem perspective, the research emphasizes the importance of understanding the interactions among multi-stakeholder networks in delivering inclusive services. Despite the growing awareness in understanding service ecosystems, there remains a gap in addressing refugee service needs effectively, leading to fragmented service delivery and inefficiencies in resource allocation.

The paper showcases a workshop methodology for a process that integrates an understanding of services and design for services. This exploration was conducted through a small-scale pilot in three rural municipalities: Hitra, Heim, and Skaun. The participants involve local Norwegians, including volunteers from the volunteer centre for refugees and workers from the Norwegian Labor and Welfare Administration (NAV), in collaboration with Ukrainian refugees. The workshop presents a co-creative practice driven by a socio-material approach to reflect and discuss what makes residents belong and integrate into the community. This workshop was designed for data collection of the existing services as well as an awareness-based practice that opened a meeting arena for discussion among stakeholders residing in the same municipality. The study highlights the importance of human relationships and collaborative approaches in shaping inclusive communities and identifying leverage points for social transformation within the system. Hence, this thesis ideated services that could facilitate development, for instance, a mobility app for car sharing which offers access to the activities organised by the associations of the municipality or artefacts for dialogue.

Utilizing soft system methodologies and value co-creation strategies, the research identifies key leverage points for intervention, including mindset shifts, system structures, and information flows. It advocates for design interventions that prioritize inclusivity, collaboration, and cultural diversity to create more resilient and thriving communities.