Empowering Refugee Women: Social Economy Strategies for Sustainable Integration

The professional integration of refugees is a crucial issue for their social and economic inclusion. According to the ILO, fair and equitable treatment of migrants in the labor market is essential for promoting social cohesion. In France, women now make up the majority of immigrants (Beauchemin et al., 2013), while facing greater vulnerability than men, in terms of security, psychological needs, and access to services and rights.This article explores the role of social and solidarity economy organizations (SSEO) in helping refugee women integrate into the workforce. The study focuses specifically on the unique challenges faced by women, including their vulnerability and the specific barriers they encounter, such as linguistic difficulties, family responsibilities, and double discrimination. We will highlight the nuanced difficulties refugee women face compared to their male counterparts. Through a case study, based in Marseille, an area characterised by highest level of unemployment, we will highlight the specific initiatives and programs that SSEOs implement, focusing on their role in facilitating access to employment by providing training opportunities, personalized support, and networking. The article examines how SSEOs, such as Festin, address not only migration exclusion but also environmental sustainability. Festin has developed innovative ways of cooking that are eco-friendly while integrating disadvantaged women into the workforce, making both the employees and the broader public more conscious of their social and environmental impact. The contribution also emphasizes the cultural significance of cooking traditions, which is deeply rooted in the heritage of migrant communities. By incorporating these traditions into the work environment, integration can be viewed from a different perspective—migrants not only adapt to their new surroundings but also bring their own culture to the table, literally. This blending of culinary elements creates a unique space for cultural exchange, where traditional recipes from diverse origins mix, fostering both personal and social integration.