# The Power of Social Work: Learning Together - Savonia AMK

> One of the key observations of the week was that social work across Europe faces many of the same challenges.

## The Erasmus BIP Exchange Programme
In April 2026, we participated in an Erasmus BIP exchange programme held in Hradec Králové, Czech Republic. The programme, titled “Social Work – Power to Change”, was a collaboration between five universities: 
* Savonia University of Applied Sciences
* Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences
* University of Latvia
* University of Hradec Králové
* Mykolas Romeris University

In addition to the five-day mobility week, the programme included three online meetings via Zoom and international group work.

## Group Work and Themes
During our first online meeting, we were divided into four groups: Green Giraffes, Purple Gazelles, Yellow Dolphins, and Blue Penguins. The groups included both bachelor’s and master’s students of different ages and backgrounds. Each group worked on a pre-assigned theme:
* “Social Work and Industrialization – Changes in the Macro Perspective”
* “Social Work and Community Power to Change in the Mezzo Perspective”
* “Social Work and Policy Advocacy – Power to Change?”
* “Social Work and EU Migration Law – Power to Change?”

## Shared European Challenges
One of the key observations of the week was that social work across Europe faces many of the same challenges. Through visits to Czech NGOs, we learned about organizations working with various vulnerable groups, such as people recovering from mental health and substance abuse challenges, migrants, and victims of violence. 

We also noticed that the challenges faced by social workers themselves were strikingly similar to those in Finland. Limited resources, increasing workloads, professional burnout, and the bureaucratic nature of social services were recurring themes. Furthermore, funding challenges within the third sector—often built from “multiple small streams”—highlighted the need for creativity and adaptability among staff.

## The Importance of Mezzo-Level Social Work
A key theme that emerged was the growing importance of mezzo-level social work. In a context where both public services and NGOs are facing increasing financial pressure, relying solely on individual-focused interventions is not sustainable. 

Community-based social work—such as supporting integration, creating inclusive spaces, and strengthening local networks—can help people respond to challenges together. A particularly inspiring example was the visit to **Casa Pessoa**, a socio-cultural community center that serves as a safe space for social inclusion and belonging.

## Social Work as a Political Force
The central question of the exchange was whether social work can truly have the power to create change. We concluded that:
* **Grassroots impact:** Meaningful societal change often begins at the grassroots level.
* **Addressing root causes:** Sustainable change requires addressing underlying issues like poverty, trauma, and inequality rather than just symptoms.
* **Political nature:** Social work is inherently political. Social workers are in a unique position to provide evidence-based insights into how policies function in practice.

## Conclusion
The exchange provided a rich learning experience that could not be replicated in a classroom. For students studying primarily through remote learning, connecting with peers internationally was invaluable. We encourage others to take the leap into international exchange opportunities with curiosity and openness.

*Note: Artificial intelligence (ChatGPT) was used as a language editing tool in writing this blog text.*

## Participating Institutions and Resources
* [Savonia University of Applied Sciences](https://www.savonia.fi)
* [Mykolas Romeris University](https://www.mruni.eu)
* [University of Hradec Králové](https://www.uhk.cz)
* [University of Latvia](https://www.lu.lv)
* [Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences](https://www.frankfurt-university.de)
* [Casa Pessoa](https://www.ops.cz/vzdelavani/clubcafe-pessoa)

## Authors
* **Students:** Salla-Mari Hänninen, Alli Pulkkinen, Suvi Rantamäki, Heli Kleimola, Jaana Saavalainen & Petriina Tarasoff (Master’s degree programmes, Savonia University of Applied Sciences/Master School)
* **Principal Lecturer:** Pirjo Turunen (Savonia University of Applied Sciences/Master School)