At GEINNOVA, we believe in the power of education, culture, and creativity to open new doors. Through the SOULFood project, we’ve embraced the opportunity to support migrant and refugee women in Zaragoza by giving visibility to their culinary heritage and creating real opportunities for growth and connection.
In early June, our team joined the rest of the SOULFood project partners in Malmö, Sweden to reflect on everything we’ve achieved so far and to plan the next phase of the project.
After successful series of cooking activities in each country, we focused on developing an online training course that will offer:
-Practical culinary training
-Soft skills development
-Cultural reflection
–Tools for employability in the food sector
Our commitment is to ensure these resources are inclusive, accessible, and relevant to the real needs of migrant women seeking a better future in Europe.
In recent months, GEINNOVA organised three hands-on cooking workshops, each celebrating a different cultural tradition and held in collaboration with local organisations:
-Italian cuisine, a familiar favorite that offered a space for cross-cultural connection and professional learning, was held at SSVP (Sociedad de San Vicente de Paúl Zaragoza), who kindly offered their space and helped us reach the participating women.
-Asian cuisine, featuring vibrant flavors and techniques from various east and southeast asian countries, took place at the Centro Joaquín Roncal Fundación CAI, a welcoming space where creativity and learning flourished.
-Turkish cuisine, highlighting dishes rich in spices, stories, and shared rituals, was also hosted at Centro Joaquín Roncal, allowing participants to connect over tradition and taste.
These sessions were about much more than food. They became moments of storytelling, skill-sharing, and solidarity, where women from different backgrounds came together to cook, learn, and be seen.
Each workshop ended with a communal tasting session, involving local guests and community members creating opportunities for intercultural dialogue, mutual appreciation, and social inclusion.
Our work would not have been possible without the support of key local organizations in Zaragoza like SSVP and Fundación CAI, who helped us reach migrant women and graciously provided their kitchen space for one of our sessions. Thanks to this kind of collaboration, we were able to hold workshops in a warm and welcoming environment. These collaborations were essential to making our activities meaningful and accessible.
By working with trusted local partners, we can reach the right people, build trust, and create long-lasting impact in the communities we serve. We are proud to be strengthening these connections, and we’re excited to continue working hand in hand with local actors who believe in inclusion, empowerment, and opportunity for all.
Through the SOULFood project, we’ve seen how something as simple and powerful as cooking can spark joy, confidence, and connection. At GEINNOVA, we’re proud to be part of this journey.
We are excited to continue creating spaces where women can be seen, valued, and empowered. And we can’t wait to welcome them into the next chapter: a digital training journey where tradition meets opportunity.
