SKP: Culinary Training for Refugees in Athens

Dear Friends,

We’re excited to share how Saffron Kitchen Project is playing a small yet impactful role in addressing the high numbers of unemployment in Greece (over 10%), particularly among young people, by preparing our students for careers in the thriving tourism industry.

Tourism continues to be a cornerstone of the Greek economy, with a forecast of 35 million tourists expected to arrive in Greece in 2024. This influx of visitors is a significant driver behind the country’s economic growth. Recognizing the opportunity within this booming sector, SKP tailored our vocational training to equip students with the skills needed to succeed in the hospitality and tourism industry. We’re proud to report that many of our students who have completed their training are now employed in various roles within tourism.

Given the seasonal nature of tourism, most of our students are currently engaged in summer jobs across Greece. As a result, our training sessions will resume in October, once the peak tourist season has concluded.

Our 7 cohorts of trainings since October 2022 had a direct impact, as our 111 graduates are already putting their skills to work in the field, gaining valuable experience and financial independence.

We are proud of the contributions our students are making to both their own futures and the broader Greek economy. Your support enables us to continue offering these opportunities, helping to address unemployment and provide pathways to stability through employment in tourism and hospitality.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us!

Together, we are making a tangible difference, one training, and one job, at a time.