We asked a Syrian student living in Lisbon what she missed most about home. She replied, "Bread! Syrian bread!". This was the starting point for Mezze, an Arabic food restaurant where Middle Eastern refugees are given training and jobs. We use the skills that many women and young people bring along and give them the tools for their work - and their identity - to be valued. We are thus generating sustainable employability solutions and contributing to true inclusion.
Learn more here
Mezze Escola is a training program for refugees and immigrants in the hospitality industry. We provide tools to enhance their technical and social skills, increasing their chances of employment. The course was developed in partnership with the Lisbon School of Hospitality and Tourism (EHTL).
Learn more here
The Migrant Media Project was created to connect migrant journalists with leading media outlets. It promotes inclusion and contributes to a more informed and engaged society. We started in the best way possible: in partnership with the newspaper Expresso, which will publish the articles, and with the support of the Democracy and Civil Society Program of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and Ceso Development Consultants.
Learn more here
The time spent in a refugee reception center comes with many challenges. The waiting period before achieving an independent life can lead to a sense of emptiness and uprootedness, negatively affecting the development of children and young people, as well as the mental health of adults—ultimately hindering the integration process for all. But it doesn’t have to be this way. That’s why we created IUPI! – Inspiring Utopias, Planting Ideas
With Mão-Cheia (Handful) Pão a Pão promotes an active and healthy aging both for Portuguese and migrants. A voice – and a restaurant kitchen – is given to older people, who still have a lot to give back to society. They can share their knowledge, pass it to younger generations and keep a link with the community.
Each day, a + 60 years old non-professional cook is invited to prepare the meal, choosing a traditional recipe from his or her home country: Portugal, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, Morocco... The project started in February 2020, but was discontinued months later following Covid-19.
debates
What forms does Islamic feminism take? What does integration really mean? How does a Syrian family rebuild their life after arriving in Lisbon? These are some of the questions we raise to talk about what many believe divides us.
We organize debates to challenge prejudices, break down barriers, and build new bridges. In these conversations, the audience plays an active role—because we don’t want any questions left unasked.
workshops
Learning how to make bread, is not only learning how to make bread. It is to connect more intimately with a very important element of Arab culture. In the cooking classes promoted by Pão a Pão we have "teachers" who teach us various Mezze tricks, but also tell us about their experience, their journey to Lisbon, what they expect from the future. And they also ask questions. It's the best way to get to know each other, right?