About

Project Armonia

In Greek, Armonia means ‘harmony’.
Our philosophy is simple: food and cooking can restore dignity and humanity, bringing people together and reaching across borders and cultural barriers.

Our Story

Project Armonia was originally established in Samos in 2019 to respond to an emergency need for food.

Our Values

We believe in the power of food and cooking to build harmonious communities where people can feel welcome and empowered.

 

Our Projects

We support resilience and sustenance through the provision of nutritious meals and cooking training.

Our Team

We are a small team united in our belief in the power of food to build harmonious communities.

Our Story

Project Armonia was originally established in Samos in 2019 to respond to an emergency need for food.

Project Armonia was originally established on the Aegean island of Samos to respond to an emergency need for food. As a result, we worked with the displaced community of the island to set up a free-restaurant to provide vitally needed nutrition and a taste of home in a foreign place. The project provided a sense of community, and opportunities for practical skills development, alongside much-needed nutritional support for the most vulnerable people on the island.

Due to the shifting situations, needs and location of the displaced community, in 2022 we relocated our operations to Athens. In November 2022, we began distributing nutritious, tasty meals throughout the various areas of Athens, to both a large homeless population and the displaced community. At the same time, we developed a structured educational programme for people to access the culinary industry. In October 2023, we launched our first Cooking Training Programme and began working with dedicated, passionate students.

Our Values

We believe in the power of food and cooking to build harmonious communities where people can feel welcome and empowered.

fas fa-people-carry-box

Solidarity

Working together to ensure that the basic human rights of all are met and protected.

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Community

Building a welcoming environment where people feel engaged, supported and a sense of belonging.

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Inclusion

Creating opportunities for people to share and strengthen their skills, facilitating autonomy and active participation.

Our Projects

We support resilience and sustenance through the provision of nutritious meals and cooking training.

Through our different programmes, we address the basic needs of people affected by displacement and marginilisation whilst simultaneously facilitating autonomy and creating opportunities for skills development and participation in the community.

Firstly, we act in solidarity with people who have limited or no access to food. In our professional kitchen (licence no. 1263267) we cook meals for displaced and homeless fellow-citizens of Athens. We prepare up to 4000 meals per month, which we distribute onsite and from other locations in collaboration with partner organisations. 

In parallel, our Cooking Training Programmes offers free education for those who cannot afford fees to enter the culinary industry. Graduates are trained as Commis Chef Cs and certified by ACTA- a Spin-off of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Following graduation, we work with organisations for participants to develop their CVs and for job-linking opportunities. Additionally, we offer cooking workshops for unaccompanied minors to develop nutritional knowledge, learn the basics of cooking and hopefully spark their enthusiasm for cooking.

Our Team

We are a small team united in our belief in the power of food to build harmonious communities.

Over the years more than 229 people have been a part of the Project Armonia family and contributed to our work supporting people to access their basic human rights.

We have come together across 39 nationalities – spanning five continents – in support of our collective mission. 

At Project Armonia we believe that united in collective action through the power of food we can build stronger more harmonious communities and ensure that the basic human rights of all are met and protected. 

Jessica Nichols

Jessica Nichols

Co-Founder

Chryssa Panoussiadou

Chryssa Panoussiadou

Director

Laira Phylactou Bastow

Laira Phylactou Bastow

Project Coordinator

Akis Tzavaras

Akis Tzavaras

Education Coordinator

Amenze Izogie

Amenze Izogie

Kitchen Coordinator

 Yücel Takin

Yücel Takin

Cook

Ange Sinzidi

Ange Sinzidi

Kitchen Assistant

Muffin

Muffin

Team Wellbeing

Contact us

We are a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting people with their basic human rights.
We are registered in Switzerland and Greece.