#vjerujusebe: Okus doma

Summary

Taste of Home, a cooperative founded by 14 individuals from diverse backgrounds, aims to support the integration and economic emancipation of refugees and migrants through cooking and catering. The cooperative, born out of personal experiences, offers a sense of belonging and community for its members. Overcoming bureaucratic hurdles, they’ve earned recognition, including the European Civic Forum’s 2017 Social Enterprise of the Year Award. With plans to open a restaurant, create packaged goods, and grow an organic garden, Taste of Home is determined to expand its impact and continue fostering inclusion and empowerment.

Takeaways

• 😀 The idea behind 'Taste of Home' (Okus doma) started nearly ten years ago as a volunteer project by the Center for Peace Studies, aimed at helping refugees by sharing their traditional recipes.
• 😀 The cooperative was officially established in February 2016, after overcoming a long and bureaucratic registration process.
• 😀 'Taste of Home' has 14 co-founders from diverse backgrounds, including Ethiopia, Nigeria, Iraq, Senegal, Kosovo, and Croatia.
• 😀 The main goal of the cooperative is to aid the integration and economic emancipation of refugees, asylum seekers, and persons with migration backgrounds through employment and participation in activities.
• 😀 The cooperative focuses on cooking and catering activities, with the ultimate goal of providing a sense of belonging and community to its members.
• 😀 Personal involvement in 'Taste of Home' has special meaning for its members, many of whom have experienced life as refugees and understand the challenges involved in integrating into a new society.
• 😀 The cooperative offers its members a feeling of home, inclusion, and acceptance, helping them integrate better into the Croatian society.
• 😀 The team at 'Taste of Home' has a strong sense of unity and teamwork, which has contributed to their success and recognition.
• 😀 In 2017, 'Taste of Home' was awarded the European Civic Forum’s Social Enterprise of the Year Award, recognizing their impact in promoting social entrepreneurship.
• 😀 The cooperative plans to open a restaurant to offer its food to the public, and also aims to launch packaged goods, delivery services, and an organic garden in the future.
• 😀 Despite challenges, the members of 'Taste of Home' remain passionate and dedicated to their mission of helping refugees integrate and create opportunities for themselves through food and entrepreneurship.

Q & A

What inspired the creation of 'Taste of Home'?

The idea behind 'Taste of Home' (Okus Doma) emerged nearly ten years ago when volunteers from the Center for Peace Studies visited refugees in Porin. They spoke with them about their home recipes and meals, which led to the creation of a book combining recipes and stories from refugees' pasts.

When did the cooperative 'Taste of Home' officially start operating?

'Taste of Home' was officially registered as a cooperative in February 2016, after several months of navigating bureaucratic and administrative challenges.

How many co-founders are involved in 'Taste of Home'?

The cooperative has 14 co-founders from diverse backgrounds, including Ethiopia, Nigeria, Iraq, Senegal, Kosovo, and Croatia.

What is the primary focus of 'Taste of Home'?

The cooperative focuses on cooking, catering, and creating activities to help the integration of people with migration backgrounds, especially refugees and asylum seekers, into Croatian society. It aims to provide employment and foster economic empowerment.

How has the cooperative helped with personal integration?

Many members of the cooperative, including those who have personally experienced being refugees, report that 'Taste of Home' has provided them with a sense of belonging, helping them integrate into Croatian society while offering a platform to contribute positively.

What recognition has 'Taste of Home' received for its work?

'Taste of Home' received the European Civic Forum’s 2017 Social Enterprise of the Year Award. This international recognition was presented to them in Brussels by the Vice President of the European Parliament.

What are the future plans for 'Taste of Home'?

The cooperative plans to open its own restaurant, create packaged products for public sale, offer delivery services, and develop an organic garden to further expand its impact and reach.

What makes 'Taste of Home' a special experience for its members?

Members of 'Taste of Home' often describe it as more than just a business—it’s like a family. The cooperative provides a sense of home, closeness, and acceptance, which is crucial for those who have faced displacement and adversity.

Why is the cooperative’s approach to employment important for refugees?

By offering employment opportunities, 'Taste of Home' supports refugees and asylum seekers in achieving economic independence and integration into the workforce, which is essential for their long-term stability and success in a new society.

How do the personal experiences of the members influence the work of 'Taste of Home'?

The personal experiences of the members, especially those who have lived as refugees themselves, contribute significantly to the cooperative’s mission. Their understanding of the challenges faced by others in similar situations allows them to offer empathetic support and guidance to new arrivals, making their integration process smoother.