Antiracism
Moniheli implements an anti-racist advocacy training programme funded through special funding from the Prime Minister’s Office. On this page, you will find the materials, the application link, and information about the training. At the end of the page, you will also find Moniheli’s previously published anti-racism orientation guide for associations.
From reactive to proactive
Anti-Racist Advocacy Training Programme for Associations and Communities
Apply now! The application period for the training is open until April 12th. The application link can be found below the training information.
Anti-racist change requires addressing structural problems.
How can civil society actors move from reacting to racism toward strategic and proactive advocacy?
This training programme helps actors in associations and communities strengthen both their understanding of anti-racism and their practical advocacy skills. Participants will deepen their understanding of structural racism and learn how anti-racist principles can be translated into concrete advocacy work that influences public debate, policy, and organisational practices.
The programme combines expert-led training, practical exercises, and peer learning.
GENERAL INFO:
- Timing: May-November 2026
- Location: online + Helsinki
- Language: English (with Finnish as support language)
- Participant number: max 30
- Price: Free
Who is this programme for?
- are actively involved in an association, community, or collective
- have at least some experience in community organising or advocacy work
- are interested in strengthening anti-racist advocacy
- are motivated to apply what they learn in the training within their own organisation or community
What will you learn?
The programme focuses both on strengthening anti-racist understanding and on the practical development of advocacy work.
Key themes include:
- identifying structural racism and discrimination
- understanding intersectionality and power structures
- developing advocacy strategies and plans
- using different advocacy channels and methods
- recognising and activating the role of participants’ own communities in advocacy work
- learning from existing examples of anti-racist advocacy
Programme structure and schedule
Module 1: Anti-Racism
The first module focuses on understanding structural racism and strengthening anti-racist practices in the work of organisations.
Participants will:
- examine how structural racism operates
- explore intersectionality and different forms of discrimination
- reflect on anti-racist practices within organisations
- consider their own role in dismantling racist structures
Implementation
- Online training (4h): 11.5. at 15-19, Trainer: Javiera Marchant Aedo
- Online training (4h): 18.5. at 15-19, Trainer: Javiera Marchant Aedo
- Full-day training in Helsinki (6h): 22.8. at 10-16, Trainer: Meg Sakilayan-Latvala
Module 2: Advocacy
The second module focuses on developing practical skills for anti-racist advocacy.
Participants will:
- learn how advocacy processes and decision-making systems work
- learn to plan and implement advocacy strategies
- explore how networks and alliances can strengthen advocacy efforts
- reflect on community organising and mobilisation as tools for change
Implementation
- Online training (4h): September, exact time and date TBC. Trainer: Blic Public Affairs oy
- Online training (4h): September, exact time and date TBC. Trainer: Tara Dickman
- Full-day training in Helsinki (6h): October, exact time and date TBC. Trainer: Tara Dickman
The training programme also includes study groups, where associations share concrete examples of anti-racist advocacy and reflect together on the strategies used, challenges encountered, and lessons learned during their work. The study group meetings will take place between June and November.
Apply now
The application period for the training is open until April 12th. We will inform applicants of the selection results personally by the end of April. Please note that the first training sessions will take place already in May.
Trainers and cooperation partners
Margarita ”Meg”
Sakilayan-Latvala
Anti-Racist Forum
Antiracism trainer
Javiera Marchant
Aedo
Anti-Racist Forum
Antiracism trainer
Tara Dickman
Le Next Level
Advocacy trainer
Blic Public Affairs
Advocacy trainer
The Anti-Racist Advocacy Programme is part of Moniheli’s Antiracism² project, which is implemented with special funding from the Prime Minister’s Office. The funding is part of the Government’s Anti-Racism Action Plan.
Anti-Racist Forum (ARF) is Moniheli’s main partner in organising the trainings. The anti-racist content of the training programme and the section on collaborative advocacy are implemented together with ARF trainers. Representatives of ARF also participate in the steering group of the Antiracism² project.
Blic Public Affairs Oy is a company specialising in public affairs and societal advocacy, operating in Finland and Brussels. In the training programme, Blic provides expertise on planning advocacy work, structural advocacy, and building relationships with decision-makers.
Other materials related to anti-racism
Anti-racist introduction guide for associations
Moniheli coordinated an anti-racism project funded by the Ministry of Justice, which ended in August 2021. The project strengthened the capacity of local organisations to implement anti-racism activities in their communities with families and young people.
We are strengthening the awareness of immigrant parents and families about anti-racism measures. In this way, the know-how is put into practice with children.
We also strengthen cultural sensitivity and raise awareness of racism among young people in local communities.
During the project we produced an introductory guide to for example Finnish NGOs that is free to use. It is coming soon in English.
