An inspiring example of using food to build bridges between people and empower traditionally marginalized communities in Zagreb, Croatia is the social co-op and catering service Taste of Home (Okus Doma). This grassroots initiative is a collaboration between immigrants, refugees and activists which employs people from different countries who cook meals from their country of origin, offering locals, not yet accustomed to foods and cultures of different regions outside of Europe, a “taste of home”.

The catering service has as its primary goals the economic empowerment and integration of newcomers to Croatia and the promotion of tolerance and respect for different cultures amongst the Croatian population. However, Okus Doma is much more than a social enterprise, it is a community of equals that seeks to integrate immigrants and refugees into Croatian society through free Croatian language courses, food workshops, and various activities and events organized in collaboration with local civil society organizations.

To find out more, donate, or buy their cookbook go to: http://www.okus-doma.hr/en