Yalla Sjöbo

We have learned from each other; about different countries' food cultural rituals, traditions, and cooking methods in the kitchen and about new ingredients and flavor combinations. We know that the curiosity about new food culture is not saturated in Skåne, new customers keep appearing all the time.

The operation would function both as an inclusive workplace and a meeting place for people with different backgrounds – a place for creativity, good meetings, employment, education, and personal development.

Food and textile crafts from around the world were central to the project's business operations, and they worked with catering for small and large groups, tailored cooking courses for individuals and companies, delivery to stores and cafés, as well as the development of new recipes in collaboration with local producers.

All project participants were trained in food hygiene and worked on product development. At the same time, the participants in the project worked together on the vision and goals for Yalla Sjöbo's future operations.

The participants had individual and regular check-ins and discussions about personal development and future opportunities. They were also continuously educated in the Swedish language, democracy and association knowledge, computer skills, food handling, marketing, and business development.

A total of 14 employees and board members worked together to implement the project, in roles as project and work leaders, employees, and steering group. During the project, eight people received income, internships, work training, and/or work experience through employment or internships. At the end of the project, the company employed four people part-time. The project resulted in a social enterprise that stands on two legs: business operations and education.

During the project period, Yalla Sjöbo developed 20 new products, arranged several cooking courses, served food to approximately 4,000 people, sold their products at Skåne markets and fairs, started a dish shop, an online store, as well as a creative studio, and also developed a mobile shop solution.

The association Yalla Sjöbo was dissolved in 2024, partly due to the aftermath of the pandemic.

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The project's purpose is to create conditions for integrating new Swedes into society and to create a meeting place for the exchange of knowledge and experiences, which aligns well with the goals of the local development strategy. The project's efforts, the creation of new businesses, jobs, products and services, as well as social development with a focus on promoting integration, will contribute to achieving the goals of the Rural Development Program.