We are excited to announce that SOUL Food, an Erasmus+ project dedicated to fostering the inclusion of migrant women, has officially expanded to Colombia.
Over the past few months, our partner organization, GEINNOVA, has been working closely with Fundación por la Vida DICAR to identify opportunities for promoting social and employment integration. This collaboration aims to empower participants and strengthen community ties.
Fundación por la Vida DICAR is a local organization committed to supporting children, young people, women, and adults with disabilities in the Duitama Boyacá region of Colombia. The foundation has also recently expanded its activities to Zaragoza, Spain, where it supports migrant women through social innovation projects.
SOUL Food Colombia was born out of the need to support young migrants, especially students, in building stronger community ties in Duitama Boyacá. Many young migrants face difficulties adapting to a new environment and finding a sense of belonging, which can lead them to abandon their studies and return to their hometowns. In response to this challenge, SOUL Food aims to create welcoming spaces where participants can connect, share experiences, develop new skills, and build supportive networks through food, culture, and education.
Through this new SOUL Food initiative in Colombia, migrant women and students will play a central role in building supportive networks that contribute to their mental well-being, social inclusion, financial independence, and educational development.
As part of the project’s growing impact, Anny Vasquez Díaz, founder of Fundación por la Vida DICAR, shared her reflections on the experience so far:
“The SOUL Food project that Fundación Por la Vida DICAR brought to Colombia has allowed us to meet new people and connect through cooking. During these gatherings, we have learned recipes, but we have also shared life experiences, creating a beautiful space where each person contributes what they know. For many, it has been an opportunity to step out of their routine, clear their minds, and feel useful while learning something new in a simple and welcoming environment.
Thanks to GEINNOVA, Asociación DICAR España for making these workshops possible and for creating such a positive impact in the community. Little by little, the connection between participants has grown stronger as we support one another and grow together. It is a space that not only teaches, but also helps people feel accompanied and valued, something very important nowadays.”
We are proud to see SOUL Food extend beyond Europe and begin making a meaningful impact in Latin America. This new chapter represents an important step toward building inclusive communities and expanding opportunities for migrant women across borders.
