No Name Kitchen is an independent movement working alongside the Balkans and Mediterranean routes to promote humanitarian aid and political action in favour of those suffering the hardships of extreme journeys and violent rejections. 

This is a real quote from a member of the NNK field team talking about a person on the move (PoM): we don't help, we decide to fight against injustice and empathise with those who suffer the illegalities of an unjust system. After a field experience, we learned much more as volunteers than we gave to those suffering from vulnerable conditions. 

No Name Kitchen's presence in Oulx

NNK carried out an assessment in February 2025, after being invited by On-Borders to join the operation in Rifugio. From March to July 2025, NNK is carrying out a Plote project with a small team of three people. The aim was to ensure a constant presence in Rifugio, as well as to explore possibilities for carrying out actions at the borders (both on the Italian and French sides). Active synergy is maintained between all partners working in Rifugio, as well as on the French side, without ever losing sight of the legal risks involved in operating in a border area.

NNK's work in Oulx

NNK contributes its experience alongside the contextual knowledge provided by other actors. These are the fundamental aspects of NNK's work in Oulx: (1) Safety and protection in the mountains; (2) Triage: initial assessment before referring cases to other organisations working in Refugio; (3) Documentation of human rights violations; (4) Bunkers: before crossing, people in transit can spend a few hours in hidden places in the mountains that NNK activists visit regularly to keep them welcoming and clean. When there are people there, it is also an opportunity to share moments of relaxation together (card games, some food, music and chats). 

The population 

The PoM population in Oulx is dynamic, varying between 50 and 150 individuals depending on the season and migration patterns. Most of them come from the Mediterranean route, while a small proportion come from the Balkan route. In June 2025, a very high number of daily crossings was recorded, compared to the average of recent years, mainly due to the numerous landings in recent weeks. In particular, at the end of the month, there was a high presence of compact groups of Ethiopian and Eritrean minors coming from Libya and heading to the United Kingdom or Belgium. There is a constant flow of Maghreb citizens heading mainly to Spain, many of whom already have a history in Italy/the EU. People arrive regularly to request to stay in Oulx and seek asylum, as has been done in the past, through an agreement with the Italian Red Cross (CRI) in Bussoleno. However, as of December 2024, unfortunately, due to the delicate situation at the Rifugio Massi, only people in clearly vulnerable conditions (single women, families, people requiring medical treatment) are allowed to stay permanently until a place is found in a CAS/SAI (reception centres for asylum seekers). Total number of crossings: 310 people passed through (a total of 431 people left, including 121 expulsions from Monginevro).

What do you need to know before you come? 

Working in Oulx is essential due to the unique role the region plays in monitoring the influx of people in transit and asylum seekers approaching the border. Oulx is a key entry point for people from various countries. The Rifugio Massi, located in Oulx, plays a vital role in offering alternatives and practical support to those passing through. However, the local community is not always willing to welcome people in transit and tensions can sometimes arise. NNK's presence in Oulx is yet to be consolidated and we need effort, fresh minds and good vibes to make it happen.

Team composition: Logistics/administration + communications + security + (4 to 5 days of handover with the previous coordinator).

In this project, these are the positions that need to be filled (to be selected, you must commit to two months in the field):

1 POSITION: FOCAL POINT FOR COMMUNICATION

• Produce multimedia content: videos, photos, posts, interviews, texts, audio files. Just produce the results; NNK Communication Reference organises the publication calendar and manages NNK's social media accounts.

• Think outside the box! Be creative and original. We recommend taking a look at NNK's social media before being assigned to this position to get a general idea of what has been published recently. (It is very common for communication focal points to publish very similar content: for example, people on the move don't have shoes!). So, again, be creative!

• Welcome journalists. Spreading the word and talking about the situation at the borders is very necessary. In most cases, people on the move are tired and want to talk.

1 POSITION: FOCAL POINT OF PROTECTION

• Legal information session: liaise with legal clinics in other countries (e.g. Italy, Germany) to develop online information sessions so that people on the move can ask questions about the asylum application process, the steps to take upon arrival, and other related issues. Gather people on the move, prepare them before the session, collect questions, and systematise the information.

• Identify "push back" cases and write reports in accordance with NNK's Guidelines on Collecting Testimonies. Report writing follows a specific methodology; sometimes volunteers conduct a wonderful interview that cannot be uploaded to our database because key information is missing. Inaccuracies jeopardise our ability to defend cases.

• Strategic litigation: seeking justice for cases that can be supported with relevant documentation in cases of illegal and violent reprisals.

• NNK collects testimonies from people who suffer abuse at the borders and publishes monthly reports together with other partners in the Border Violence Monitoring Network to call for change in policy-making. In addition, we launch advocacy campaigns with visual testimonies of violence and try to connect people on the move with lawyers who can initiate legal action against those responsible for the abuses.

Further information

Selected students will undergo a mandatory validation process with NNK before their final participation. It is advisable to ensure diversity within teams. For this reason, students who know each other may be sent to different locations in order to ensure integration and positive team dynamics.a. 

NNK is a grassroots organisation where highly motivated volunteers (non-profit/junior humanitarian profiles) find their place to gain first-hand experience in the field. Coming to NNK projects is a unique experience, but it is not for everyone. We are looking for conscientious and responsible individuals who can understand the sensitivity of being in the field, dealing with a vulnerable population as well as (in some cases) hostile actors. In the field, we adopt a low profile; we do not seek confrontation with the police, but rather mutual understanding. We are looking for people who are able to adapt to complex situations in which everyone contributes to teamwork (beyond the focal point). 

There is much more information about the organisation, the places where it works, the responsibilities of each position, etc., for those who want to participate in No Name Kitchen projects. Please ask the contact persons at your university for this information before the selection interview if you are interested.

Migrants, refugees and asylum seekers on the border between France and Italy

This project has local support, which means that the social organisation hosting you will be your main point of contact, with occasional support from the university responsible for the project. 

Comillas Pontifical University (María Iglesias Martínez)