Nature-based integration projects present nature and green spaces as an arena for interaction and integration between immigrants and native-born Swedes, and amongst immigrants of different backgrounds. To explore this, the study looks at experiences of NBI projects from the perspective of immigrants who have moved to Sweden and started the process of settling into the new society. The concepts of social networks, as well as structural, cultural, interactive and identificational integration were applied to view the interviewees experiences of nature-based integration activities in Sweden. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight immigrants', about their participation in NBI projects in Sweden, and how they describe their experiences and perceptions of nature and social interactions. The findings were that time spent in nature was experienced as beneficial for the individual by contributing to their psychological well-being and providing opportunities for socialisation,. Nature in Sweden was depicted as vast, accessible and inclusive when compared with their countries of origin. Interactions and new diversified social networks provided information exchange and novel knowledge. This was seen as one of the entry points to society, and another way in which to understand Swedish cultural traditions, as nature was generally perceived as important in Swedish society. The final results showed that participation in nature-based integration activities was able to contribute to their structural, cultural and interactive integration, but could not be linked to their identificational integration in Sweden.

The purpose of this research is to create opportunities to promote social inclusion through Nature-Based Integration (NBI), aiming to understand the social construction of nature from a sociocultural perspective. Social constructivist theories have been employed in the field of migrant integration, however, a social constructivist standpoint has not yet been applied in the emerging sub-field of NBI. In contrast to applications of social cohesion theory in NBI, this thesis argues that applying the social constructivist theory highlights important differences that assist NBI projects by applying the knowledge of socio-cultural understandings of nature. This thesis thus provides a critique of the application of social cohesion to NBI initiatives, instead offering a case for social constructivism as an alternate framework. The analysis is based on a case study conducted within Kronoberg County in Sweden, utilizing interviews and observations to acquire insights into migrant and Swedish perspectives and experiences in natural environments. Understanding how nature can help with integration is beneficial for fostering inclusive and peaceful societies. This study investigated how experiences with the environment help migrants and Swedish citizens build social relationships, cultural understanding, and collective identity. Qualitative data from informal interviews give insight into individuals' perspectives, and observations provide knowledge of the community's common experiences. This study delves into connotations associated with natural areas, illustrating how nature is socially constructed from different positions. Adopting a comparative method, the study reveals possible shared and opposing meanings assigned to nature-based experiences. The analysis provides a case for applying social constructivism in NBI projects, as this offers a platform for migrant and Swedish communities to collaborate and exchange knowledge on the role of nature in their social lives. / Syftet med denna forskning är att skapa möjligheter att främja social integration genom Nature-Based Integration (NBI), i syfte att förstå naturens sociala konstruktion ur ett sociokulturellt perspektiv. Socialkonstruktivistiska teorier har använts inom området migrantintegration. En socialkonstruktivistisk ståndpunkt har dock ännu inte tillämpats inom det framväxande delområdet av NBI. I motsats till tillämpningar av social sammanhållningsteori i NBI, hävdar denna avhandling att tillämpningen av den socialkonstruktivistiska teorin lyfter fram viktiga skillnader som hjälper NBI-projekt genom att tillämpa kunskapen om sociokulturell förståelse av naturen. Den här avhandlingen riktar därför kritik mot tillämpningen av social sammanhållning på NBI-initiativ, och erbjuder istället ett argument för socialkonstruktivism som ett alternativt ramverk. Analysen baseras på en fallstudie genomförd inom Kronobergs län, med hjälp av intervjuer och observationer för att få insikter om migranters och svenska perspektiv och erfarenheter i naturliga miljöer. Att förstå hur naturen kan hjälpa till med integration är fördelaktigt för att främja inkluderande och fredliga samhällen. Denna studie undersökte hur erfarenheter av miljön hjälper migranter och svenska medborgare att bygga sociala relationer, kulturell förståelse och kollektiv identitet. Kvalitativ data från informella intervjuer ger insikt i individers perspektiv och observationer ger kunskap om samhällets gemensamma erfarenheter. Denna studie fördjupar sig i konnotationer förknippade med naturområden och illustrerar hur naturen är socialt konstruerad från olika positioner. Genom att anta en jämförande metod avslöjar studien möjliga delade och motsatta betydelser som tilldelas naturbaserade upplevelser. Analysen ger ett argument för att tillämpa socialkonstruktivism i NBI-projekt, eftersom detta erbjuder en plattform för migranter och svenska samhällen att samarbeta och utbyta kunskap om naturens roll i deras sociala liv.