This is a way forward to empower asylum seekers by engaging them in the provision of some basic needs.

1. A new challenge for Luxembourg
With the recent refugee crisis in Europe an estimated 7000
asylum seekers have recently come to Luxembourg. The state,
communes, and various NGOs do not spare efforts nor costs
to host these new citizens in this small country of the
European Union of less than 550 thousand inhabitants.

2. Overall the situation is okay...
Asylum seekers are housed in so-called foyers, and are given
basic necessities like food, clothing and shelter.

3. ...but could improve
In some cases problems arise either due to strict
rules of these foyers.

4. One example – uneaten food
In some foyer bins are filling up with uneaten food. Some
residents are unable to be at the foyer canteen for the rigid
mealtimes because they are out at certain times of the day for
appointments with doctors, language classes, etc. Residents
would prefer to be able to cook for themselves. This would
add to empowerment as a key to integration.

5. Why not try a food responsible?
Each foyer can appoint a food responsible. A monthly voting
can be organized among foyer inhabitants. This person is to
liaise with the foyer administration on obtaining and
installing cooking facilities, and on obtaining a weekly food
allowance.

6. What would the food
responsible have to do?
The food responsible is to agree with the foyer inhabitants
the processes and procedures of food preparation,
distribution, and cleaning of the cooking and eating
facilities. This can be done face to face, but also via mobile
phones.

7. How do we know it works or not?
Each month the foyer administration monitors benefits (be it
more flexible and empowered foyer inhabitants, or lower
costs of providing food) and constraints (such as disputes
over food issues among the community, inadequate
maintenance of the cooking facilities) of the self-regulated
food provision system. He/she will do so upon a monthly
report by the food responsible and by random samples of
inhabitant’s expressions of views. Views can be collected face
to face, but also via mobile phones.

8. How do we know it works or not?
Each month the foyer administration monitors benefits (be it
more flexible and empowered foyer inhabitants, or lower
costs of providing food) and constraints (such as disputes
over food issues among the community, inadequate
maintenance of the cooking facilities) of the self-regulated
food provision system. He/she will do so upon a monthly
report by the food responsible and by random samples of
inhabitant’s expressions of views. Views can be collected face
to face, but also via mobile phones.

9. And if it did not work?
If constraints outweigh benefits foyer administration may
turn back to the original system of centrally provided food –
and keep the eyes open on other potentially more suited
forms of foyer inhabitants´ empowerment measures.

10. And it it worked?
Then keep the flexible food provision service, enjoy the
benefits achieved – and share the lessons learned with the
other communes.