Amjad Mohamed-Saleem
Case Western Reserve University - Weatherhead School of Management
Ron Fry
David Cooperrider
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Niks Fudo is a social enterprise that empowers and integrates migrant women in Geneva by allowing them to become financially independent while sharing their cultures and cuisines through their cooking. It addresses gender equality, education, and poverty alleviation.
Creating fresh authentic meals allows their chefs to become more independent and allows their customers to discover new and delicious dishes from around the world.
Niks Fudo is a social enterprise based in Geneva, Switzerland, founded by Nishanie Jayamaha and Nikhil Masilamani. The business connects local communities with migrant chefs, offering authentic culinary experiences that celebrate diverse food cultures. By facilitating shared spaces and interests, Niks Fudo fosters cultural exchange and mutual understanding among residents and migrants.
The innovative aspect of Nik's Fudo lies in its approach to community integration and empowerment. By providing a platform for migrant chefs to showcase their culinary skills, the enterprise not only enriches the local food scene but also supports the economic independence of migrant women passionate about cooking. This initiative addresses social inclusion and economic empowerment, contributing to a more cohesive and diverse society.
Niks Fudo's model aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on reducing inequalities (SDG 10) and promoting decent work and economic growth (SDG 8). By empowering migrant chefs and fostering cultural exchange, the enterprise contributes to building inclusive communities and promoting sustainable economic opportunities for marginalized groups.
The founders of Niks Fudo, Nikhil Masilamani and Nishanie Jayamaha, were inspired by their experiences as individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and a desire to create positive change through food. According to Nikhil during his interview, part of what he wanted was "good food at a reasonable rate in Geneva" and also opportunities for migrant women to earn some money to supplement the state funds that they were getting.
The idea behind Nik’s Fudo emerged from the realization that food has the power to bring people together and that migrant communities, especially women, often face significant barriers in showcasing their talents and integrating into local societies. They believed that leveraging food as a tool for cultural exchange and economic empowerment could profoundly impact breaking down social barriers and promoting diversity.
The idea was to create a platform where migrant chefs could have their voices heard and their contributions to the food industry recognized. At the heart of their work is their focus on promoting inclusion, sharing food as a universal language, and improving the livelihoods of migrant women.
Nik’s Fudo, a social enterprise founded by Nikhil Masilamani and Nishanie Jayamaha, engages local communities and migrant chefs. Its particular emphasis is on supporting migrant women by providing them with a platform to showcase their culinary talents.
Nik’s Fudo offers authentic culinary experiences that unite residents and migrant chefs through shared meals. This platform enables cultural exchange while creating opportunities for migrant chefs to become economically independent by sharing their food culture.
The enterprise began as an idea in 2017. Still, it really took off in 2019, with its initial pilot projects focusing on creating opportunities for migrant chefs, particularly women, to engage with local communities in the Geneva area.
The business operates primarily in Geneva, Switzerland, but its model could be replicated in other locations with diverse migrant populations.
Nik’s Fudo connects migrant chefs with local communities through pop-up events, catering services, and social gatherings where chefs can prepare and share their traditional dishes. The initiative fosters a mutual understanding between locals and migrants and provides migrant women with entrepreneurial and economic opportunities.
Short-term effects:
- Increased visibility and economic opportunities for migrant chefs: The immediate impact of Nik’s Fudo has been the increased visibility of migrant chefs in local communities. Migrants, especially women, who may have otherwise struggled to gain professional recognition in the culinary field, now have a chance to showcase their skills.
- Cultural exchange and community cohesion: In the short term, the initiative has facilitated cultural exchange, with locals and migrants sharing meals and learning about each other’s food traditions. This fosters community cohesion and enhances mutual understanding.
-Evidence of short-term impact: Testimonials from participants and chefs highlight increased confidence and pride in sharing their cultural heritage. Additionally, the successful hosting of pop-up events and catering services has attracted the business's attention, demonstrating a demand for culturally rich, locally prepared food.
Long-term effects:
- Sustained economic empowerment for migrant chefs: Over time, the enterprise has contributed to the long-term financial empowerment of migrant chefs, particularly women, by providing them with consistent income opportunities and helping them build entrepreneurial skills.
Social integration and reduced inequality: The long-term effects also include improved social integration of migrants into the local community, which helps mitigate societal disparities. By offering a platform for marginalised groups, Nik’s Fudo helps improve the social and economic fabric of the community.
Evidence of long-term impact: Continued collaborations with local organisations and positive feedback from migrants and locals indicate that the enterprise has fostered greater acceptance and understanding. Long-term support from community members and increased participation in Nik’s Fudo events suggest that the initiative has achieved lasting social change. Additionally, studies and reports highlighting the positive impact of social enterprises on community cohesion and migrant integration lend further support to the claim that Nik’s Fudo has made a sustained impact.
This blend of short-term success in cultural exchange and economic opportunity and long-term contributions to social inclusion underscores Nik's Fudo's innovation in achieving social and financial goals.
Because the business created a unique platform for migrant chefs, it successfully raised revenue through pop-up events, catering services, and shared meals, highlighting diverse culinary traditions. These revenue streams have supported the business and empowered migrant women by providing them with consistent income and opportunities to develop entrepreneurial skills. Additionally, the enterprise has contributed to employee well-being by offering a positive work environment where chefs can gain recognition and pride in their craft.
As a result, Nik’s Fudo has hired a diverse group of employees, including migrant chefs, event coordinators, and support staff. The business has experienced increased retention as employees find fulfilment in their work, and many chefs return to continue their culinary journey with Nik’s Fudo.
The company has expanded into new markets by introducing cultural food experiences to broader audiences, enhancing its reputation and demand. Furthermore, the success of Nik’s Fudo has attracted investment opportunities, with organisations supporting initiatives that promote diversity, inclusion, and migrant empowerment. Through these efforts, Nik’s Fudo has created a sustainable, inclusive business model that is both financially and socially impactful.
Nik's Fudo benefits society by fostering cultural exchange, promoting diversity, and supporting the economic empowerment of migrant communities, particularly women. By creating a platform for migrant chefs to showcase their culinary skills, the business provides an opportunity for them to gain economic independence and recognition in a field where they may otherwise face barriers. This innovation helps reduce social inequalities and promotes social inclusion by bringing together locals and migrants in shared, authentic dining experiences. As a result, the enterprise strengthens the fabric of society by encouraging mutual understanding and collaboration between diverse communities.
The innovation also has a positive impact on the environment, as it focuses on promoting sustainable food practices. By encouraging local sourcing and using traditional, home-cooked meals, Nik’s Fudo reduces the environmental footprint of mass-produced food. Additionally, the business’s focus on communal meals and smaller-scale, pop-up events helps minimize waste and encourages people to appreciate food in its authentic, culturally rich form. This approach aligns with broader sustainability goals, such as reducing food waste and promoting local food systems, which ultimately contribute to the health of the environment.
Through these efforts, Nik’s Fudo demonstrates how social enterprises can drive both positive societal and environmental change. The business not only supports marginalized migrant communities but also promotes values of sustainability and inclusivity, creating a ripple effect that benefits society as a whole.
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Nikhil Masilamani, CEO and Senior Business Coordinator
Niks Fudo brings migrants and communities together at the local level, within shared spaces or around shared interests. The concept of this local business is to bring food from different countries to Geneva, Switzerland by connecting with local migrant chefs and local customers.
It is a social enterprise that empowers and integrates migrant women in Geneva by giving them the opportunity to become independent financially while upscaling their business and encouraging them to share their cultures and cuisines through their passion for cooking.