ESF-projektet ”Kvinnokraft”. En kvalitativ studie om nyckelaktörers uppfattningar om hinder för integration och projekt för somaliska kvinnor

Compared to all existing ethnic groups in Sweden, the integration of Somali women has failed the most within the aspect of employment. This bachelor’s thesis investigates the obstacles in the integration of Somali women by focusing on one case, a project named “Kvinnokraft”, partly financed by the European Socialfund. By interviewing eight key actors, opinions about obstacles in the project have been identified. A theoretical framework that incorporates integration, project research, multi-level governance and intersectionality contributes to explaining difficulties in integrating Somali women. The empirical findings show that there are individual, social and institutional holdbacks. Stereotypical perceptions were common amongst officials, which contributes to a creation of an inferior position in the structures of the society for Somali women. Also, multi-level governance showed that institutional holdbacks were due to changes caused by increasing collaboration of the European Union and municipalities through ESF-projects