Cooking Up Futures Project

The "Cooking Up Futures" project, funded under the Erasmus+ KA220-ADU (Adult Education) category, officially begins its journey to provide migrant women with the tools to turn their culinary heritage into sustainable livelihoods. The project, which officially kicks off on December 1, 2025, and will run until November 30, 2027, aims to create a more participatory integration model. Rather than focusing solely on language or basic vocational skills, "Cooking Up Futures" bridges the gap between traditional cooking and modern business management.

Objectives

The "Cooking Up Futures" project aims to empower refugee women by providing entrepreneurial, financial, and digital skills, enabling them to create sustainable culinary businesses. It promotes economic independence, social inclusion, and cultural exchange through training, mentorship, and real-world experiences, enhancing their confidence, business readiness, and community engagement.

Activities

The "Cooking Up Futures" project includes training sessions, mentorship programs, practical cooking workshops, and pop-up restaurant events. Activities involve business planning, financial management, digital marketing, and securing funding opportunities. The project also includes multiplier events to showcase results and promote social inclusion through community engagement.

Impact

The project will result in 60 refugee women trained, 12 business plans developed, 12 mentors engaged, 6 pop-up events, and 6 multiplier events. Expected outcomes include increased business readiness, economic independence, social inclusion, and a sustainable mentorship network, promoting entrepreneurship and community engagement.

A Strong International Partnership

The project brings together a diverse group of experts from across Europe. Marmara University Faculty of Political Science, Political Science and International Relations Department proudly represents the Türkiye leg of the consortium, lending academic and strategic expertise to the social integration framework.

The collaborative effort includes partners from six countries:

• Türkiye: Marmara University

• Portugal: Adolescere (Project Coordinator)

• Austria: InterAktion

• Belgium: Zone Femmes

• Poland: Polivision

• Spain: Asociación Gastronómica Europea (AGE)