Description
The project addresses the need to raise the applicant’s capacity to train local NGOs to apply the Multikulti Kitchen model (MKK) in 6 Bulgarian cities with foreign citizens. First, 10 staff members will be trained to become Multikulti Kitchen trainers and mentors of local NGOs. Second, a guide on the use of the Multikulti Kitchen model will be developed. Third, 6 local NGOs will be selected for a 3-day training to apply the Multikulti Kitchen model. The training will focus on migration and integration, standards and practical steps for the use of MKK model, local partnerships and fund-raising. The trained NGOs will be able to benefit from the support of a coach in the organization of MKK events. Next, the guide on the MKK model will be updated based on feedback from the NGOs. The project will benefit the applicant, the local NGOs selected for training as well as the foreign citizens, migrants and refugees living in the local communities.
Summary of project results
In the last couple of years more and more foreigners from EU Member States and third countries and refugees have decided to settle down in Bulgaria. Migrants and refugees are on the rise but the NGOs outside Sofia hardly have any expertise and capacity to fight racist and xenophobic attitudes. Certain media have made it their policy to present foreigners, refugees in particular, in negative terms, using hate speech and inciting discrimination and xenophobia. Such powerful negative messages have been expressed even from top politicians and many Bulgarians have been influenced by this rhetoric and have responded in a negative way without any personal experience with foreigners. This is the background against which Multi Kulti Collective (MKC) came up with this project. The project started with the training of 10 members and volunteers with MKC to become trainers and mentors of the NGOs in the country that apply the Multi Kulti Kitchen model. Next, the following 6 NGOs that had strong motivation to work towards integration and fight hate speech and xenophobia were attracted, trained and encouraged: Plovdiv/Pazardjik – Union for Independent Creative Communication; Varna – Amorpha Youth Group; Bourgas – Multicultural Information Centre; Stara Zagora – NAGORE Association; Veliko Tarnovo – Amalipe Centre for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance; Blagoevgrad – Europe 2014 Community Centre. 12 representatives of these NGOs and MKC team had a 3-day intensive training to apply the Multi Kulti Kitchen method. 6 Multi Kulti Kitchen events were held, one per each of the 6 cities, more than 400 people attended the events and 12 new sites were added to the Multi Kulti map. In addition, a Manual for the use of the Multi Kulti Kitchen and Multi Kulti Map models was developed and complemented with feedback from the partner NGOs at the end of the project. The project helped Multi Kulti Collective to develop its potential with a view to setting up and running a network of like-minded organizations. The project helped MKC multiply its best practices and boosted the capacity of the 6 NGOs from the other cities by training and motivating them to start or continue their work related to integration and fighting hate speech and xenophobia, making use of the good practices of MKC from Sofia. These practices were sufficiently flexible to be applied in different contexts depending on the experience and interest of the local partners.
Summary of bilateral results