Cooking Up futures

PROJECT DESCRIPTION & BACKGROUND

Cooking Up Futures supports refugee women in turning their culinary skills and passion for cooking into sustainable income opportunities. Through a combination of entrepreneurship training, digital and financial skills development, mentoring, and hands-on cooking experiences, participants gain the knowledge, confidence, and practical tools needed to develop their own food-related businesses. The project also creates opportunities for real-world learning through pop-up food events and community activities, helping women connect with local communities, showcase their talents, and build professional networks. By promoting economic independence, social inclusion, and cultural exchange, Cooking Up Futures empowers refugee women to take meaningful steps towards entrepreneurship and active participation in society.

TARGET GROUPS

Cooking UP Futures works directly with these target groups:
- Refugee women living in Europe who face social and economic exclusion. These women often possess culinary skills but lack the entrepreneurial, financial, and digital literacy needed to transform their talents into sustainable businesses
- Professionals working with refugee women, including cultural mediators, social workers, and educators.
- Community members, entrepreneurship networks, and food industry stakeholders
- Experienced business owners and culinary professionals who will participate in the mentorship network, offering guidance and practical support to participants.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of the "Cooking Up Futures" project is to empower refugee women by providing them with the entrepreneurial, financial, and digital skills needed to transform their culinary talents into sustainable small businesses.
• Provide tailored training in business planning, food regulations, and cost management to help refugee women establish and manage small restaurant businesses.
• Enhance participants' understanding of budgeting, pricing, funding opportunities, and financial management, enabling them to make informed business decisions.
• Equip participants with the skills needed for online marketing, social media engagement, and e-commerce, allowing them to promote their culinary businesses effectively.
• Foster social connections and reduce isolation.
• Establish a mentorship network to provide ongoing support, coaching, and guidance beyond the project's duration, ensuring long-term success for participants' businesses.

PROJECT RESULTS

• At least 60 refugee women trained in entrepreneurship, financial management, and digital marketing.
• Creating a comprehensive training toolkit available in multiple languages to support learning and replication.
• 12 business ideas transformed into business plans

Women will receive support to develop concrete, realistic plans for launching their own food-related ventures.
• Creation of a mentorship network connecting refugee women with experienced entrepreneurs, offering personalized support and practical business advice.
• Organizing pop-up restaurant events where participants can apply their skills, gain exposure, and test their business models in a supportive environment.
• Development of a replicable training model that can be adapted by other organizations or regions, ensuring broader impact and sustainability of project outcomes.

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