United Kitchen is the first project of Enactus Groningen, and started as a platform to create cultural exchange between Stadjers, students and women with a migration background. Love goes through the stomach, so tasting dishes from other countries is the way to stimulate cultural exchange! United Kitchen now consists of seven driven students who, together with the women, organize an international dinner every month in downtown Groningen. On these evenings, the women prepare a three-course dinner consisting of dishes from their own culture, for about 40 guests. The profit generated by these dinners is used to support the women individually in their integration. We do this by having individual conversations to identify what the women need and want, but also by funding courses and training.
Feel free to check out United Kitchen’s website or Facebook for more information on upcoming events.
Concept
United Kitchen aims to support integrating women in Groningen through cultural exchange and organizing international dinners. The project encourages cultural exchange, allowing Stadjers and students to get to know better the diversity of cultures Groningen offers. In addition, the women gain experience by working in a Dutch company, and we generate profit that we use to further support the women in their integration process. A win-win situation in other words!
Mission
Our mission is on the one hand to support women with a migrant background in their integration in Groningen, and on the other hand to stimulate openness and acceptance of other cultures among the people of Groningen and students.
Vision
Through our cooking events, we stimulate a cultural exchange in different areas through which these women get to know Dutch culture better and Stadjers and students get to know another culture. Through the cultural exchange, the women have more contact with Dutch people and the interest and appreciation for each other’s culture leads to more self-confidence for these women. In this way, this enhanced self-confidence contributes to their integration process and to their social involvement.
Project Manager: Lola ter Beest
Represents the company, shows personal and substantive leadership, keeps an eye on vision and big picture, leads meetings and prepares agenda, maintains relationships with partners;
Treasurer: Emke Sijtsma
Responsible for company finances, prepares invoices, manages accounts, tracks all expenses/income in Excel, reports through annual report to board;
Events I & II: Hanna Meinders & Anastasija Biac
Responsible for all events.
Marketing I & II: Anouk Bade & Wendy Bijpost
Responsible for updating media channels such as a website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, point of contact for external relations such as press.
Human resources I & II: Ilse Brouwer & Floor van der Straaten
Responsible for recruiting new women, has contact with the women already affiliated with the project, is involved in the development of the women and is concerned with optimizing the HR policy.
