The objective of the project was: Bringing migrant women, who are at risk of social isolation, together with local female volunteers to take a peek in each other's kitchen. By taking a peek in each others kitchen the women get to know each others (eating) habits, culture, written and unwritten rules in an accessible and playful way which promotes integration and mutual understanding of both cultures. With the project we wanted to offer migrant women a program for social activation and empowerment which can help them to take steps that will lead to inclusion and active citizenship so that they do not fall back into their traditional role and disappear behind the kitchen sink. All activities has been carried out at the same way in The Netherlands by Solid Road in the city of Nijmegen and in Germany by REGE in the city of Bielefeld.
The percentage of so-called loweducated unemployed female newcomers is over 90%. Participation in the labor process is hindered by, among others, low skills/qualifications, cultural characteristics, educational level, role in the family, late or no start in integration (language acquisition, social integration), living in closed housing estates. As a result of such difficulties, they need more time on the road to the labor market (5-9 years after arrival, OECD). The women concerned are diverse, in terms of cultural background with various norms and values. They have a few things in common. They are primarily concerned with landing in the totally new environment, getting the family on their feet and understanding the basics of life in The Netherlands/Germany. Many have not been able to complete their education or are poorly educated and therefore have little work experience. Usually, they have not really thought about their own goals yet. For migrant women who have not yet oriented themselves towards work and/or have not really thought about their own goals, there is often little time in the current labor market guidance trajectories for information and for visualizing their own possibilities and wishes.