HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-HERITAGE-06 //Looking to join a consortium: Safeguarding linguistic diversity in Europe

Potential role in a project:

Diaconia University of Applied Sciences is interested in contributing to projects addressing linguistic diversity through the lens of linguistic inclusion, accessibility, and inclusive communication.

Finland provides a relevant multilingual context: Finnish and Swedish are national languages, Sámi languages have legally protected status as Indigenous languages, and Karelian and Finnish Romani are also recognised minority languages; the rights of sign language users and people requiring interpretation due to disability are recognised in legislation; in addition, Finland is currently conducting a state-led truth and reconciliation process with deaf and sign-language communities.

Within this context, Diak provides degree education in community interpreting (asioimistulkkaus) and in sign language and speech-impairment interpreting, and works in public-service settings, including Finnish Sign Language, speech-to-text methods, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), with experience in training, service development, and collaboration with user groups. Diak also carries out ongoing research on linguistic diversity, including recent publications on multilingual adults and current work on a national study examining the revitalisation of Indigenous and minority languages (including Sámi languages, Finnish and Finland-Swedish Sign Languages, Karelian, and Finnish Romani).

As a University of Applied Sciences, Diak offers strong contributions through practice-based research and implementation, including co-design with stakeholders, testing and documenting good practices in real-life service and digital environments, and supporting the development of policy-relevant evidence and inclusive multilingual practices