1 A project to increase ethnical and cultural diversity as well as equality within the Stockholm County Police (Lexical meaning: Germinate, grow, develop, aspire.)

2 The composition of personnel within the Police should be representative of society: To increase the possibility of acquiring information from different groups. To make the public identify with the Police to a greater extent. To increase open-mindedness within the Police. Because an increasing portion of our population is of foreign origin. Because an expected future lack of labour makes inclusion essential.

3 SPIRA Project Aims More young men and women of non- Scandinavian origins shall be able to gain a foothold in the labour market. The project shall increase understanding of different cultures, within and outside of the Stockholm County Police. More employers will consider the target group an asset. Active project marketing in Stockholm County but also in other parts of the country. To undertake joint marketing for similar diversity projects in the counties of Skåne and Västra Götaland.

4 Collaborating Parties and co- financiers The Swedish Public Employment Service The Prison and Probation Service The Fire Departments The Swedish National Police Academy Stensunds Folkhögskola ( Folk High School ) Långholmens Folkhögskola ( Folk High School ) The National Police Board The European Social Fund

5 The Spira Stockholm Targetgroup Young ( yrs), unemployed men and women of non-Scandinavian origins in the transitional stage between studies and work.

6 Instruction, Employment, Experience 2 months’ introduction/instruction. After completed introduction/ instruction the individual is offered temporary employment with the Stockholm County Police for 13 months to gain experience. Participants are offered trainee posts with the Prison and Probation Service and the Fire Departments. A possibility for participants to take supplementary courses to complete their upper secondary education through distance learning arranged by a folk high school during the period of employment.

7 Co-ordinators and coaches Each district/section within the Stockholm County Police will have a trained co-ordinator who will be responsible for the project. Each district/section will have coaches to support the participants in their individual development and prepare action plans. The coaches will offer support during the period of employment and encourage further education. Experienced colleagues well suited to the task will act as coaches. Through regular discussions the coaches will contribute to the professional development of the participants.

8 Project Period August - September 2009 –Recruitment of participants October - November 2009 –Introduction and instruction December December 2010 –Employment/traineeship with the Police, the Prison and Probation Service and the Fire Departments January - June 2011 –Seminar, international contacts, evaluation, documentation

9 Division of Participants within the Stockholm County Police

10 40 women and 30 men Average age, 22 years 30 different nationalities 39 different languages in addition to Swedish and English; predominantly Turkish, followed by Arabic Origin, Sex and Age of the Participants.

11 Expected Results An increased awareness of the fact that the non-Scandinavian origin of the participants is an asset. An increased understanding of other cultures. Increased self-esteem amongst the Spira-participants, giving them the courage and desire to seek new challenges. Personal development for all involved, Spira-participants and personnel alike.

12 Budget for Project Spira Stockholm Wage costs, personnel Material, travelling expenses, evaluation et.c Financial aid paid by the Public Employment Service to 70 participants for the first few months Specified total budget in the application handed in to the ESF Council Aggregate of wages paid by the government to 70 participants for a period of 13 months Total project budget

13 Growing and aspiring requires space