Welcome!
App connects refugees with Swedish locals
A lot of people want to help the many refugees arriving in Sweden right now. The new app “Welcome!” helps refugees and locals to come in contact with each other so that the newcomers get a better start in the new country. Authorities and organizations were overwhelmed by the number of refugees who arrived, making the welcoming of refugees difficult. Tobias Rosman, interaction designer at Screen Interaction, is one of the founders of the initiative Welcome! who wants to make it easier for refugees to cope in Swedish society. The development team has created an app that allows refugees to ask locals about everything from where to find jobs and housing to leisure activities and meeting places. Locals can also invite refugees to social activities such as dining, a “fika” (meeting up for coffee) or football practice.