Empowering Migrants and Refugees Through Culinary Training

As part of the Pilot 1: Testing Solutions for Creating Agrobiodiversity Tourism Itineraries, the Municipality of Postojna organized a two-day theoretical workshop focused on education and training of the migrant community. The workshop aimed to improve employability, strengthen integration into the local community, and encourage participation in culinary and tourism sectors.

The sessions were divided into two groups to accommodate participants from different backgrounds. The first day focused on Ukrainian refugees, while the second day welcomed participants from Armenia, Turkey, Cuba, Senegal and other countries. Both groups followed the same program, designed to build key competencies for employment in the catering and hospitality sector.

A Holistic Approach

The training combined three thematic units: cultural orientation, hygiene and safety in the catering sector, and an employment skills workshop. In the cultural orientation session, participants were introduced to Slovenian customs, legislation, and the rights and obligations of migrants. The goal was to support informed participation in local life and help individuals better understand the community they are joining.

The hygiene and safety module focused on food handling, basic hygiene rules, and quality assurance in hospitality, introducing participants to the values of slow food—sustainability, seasonality, and local ingredients.

The final segment offered practical tools for employment. From writing a CV and preparing for job interviews to developing teamwork and communication skills, the workshop aimed to build both confidence and practical readiness. Participants were also introduced to conflict resolution strategies and techniques for navigating cultural differences in the workplace.

Supporting a Shared Future

The theoretical workshop represents a key component of the broader SReST project, which promotes culinary tourism with a social dimension. By equipping migrants with relevant knowledge and skills, the Municipality of Postojna is building new capacities that support the development of socially responsible and “slow food” tourism in the region.