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 Ventimiglia

Since 2015, Ventimiglia has become a major migration hub due to French border controls, which indiscriminately turn people away without assessing their asylum claims. This has created a militarised zone, forcing many people on the move to live in unsafe conditions, such as abandoned buildings or under the Roya River bridge, with limited access to water, healthcare and sanitation. Most people on the move, mainly from sub-Saharan Africa, aspire to reach France, Germany or the United Kingdom after arduous journeys. With minimal state protection and limited local support that prioritises women and children, NNK fills a critical gap, helping vulnerable groups such as single men and unaccompanied minors who lack access to basic services.

NNK's work in Ventimiglia

NNK has been working in Ventimiglia since May 2023, and its presence is based on the dual mission of providing humanitarian aid and documenting border abuses. These are the fundamental aspects of NNK's work: (1) Distribution: food, hygiene products and other non-food items; (2) Psychological care; (3) Documentation of human rights violations.

The population 

The homeless population in Ventimiglia is dynamic, varying between 50 and 350 individuals depending on the season and migration patterns. Generally, men stay under the bridge, while families go to Caritas, where they feel safer. Around 50 people currently live under the bridge: they no longer move around, in some cases they have fallen into some form of addiction and have specific needs as people living on the margins of society: integration into the local social fabric. 

In Ventimiglia, various groups (collectives, associations, citizens, NGOs) support people on the move. Despite the help provided, needs persist. Most people sleep rough, so they do not have access to adequate hygiene facilities. Illegal practices at the border are becoming normalised and rejections are happening in broad daylight, with other people watching and fully aware of what is happening. The main reason for NNK's presence is to continue all previous attempts by other groups to raise awareness of the situation in Ventimiglia, speaking out about the illegalities and contributing not to normalising them, but to highlighting that they are against the law.

What shall we do?

• The main activity of all teams is distribution, which consists of a chain of sub-activities (hotline, packaging, purchasing, distribution) in which the team has to move and act as a single body. We will work in a network with many other organisations on the ground. 

• The main activities will be:

• food distribution, but not as the main activity, rather to cover gaps that cannot be covered by other organisations.

• distribution of hygiene supplies and showers. This is one of the main activities in Ventimiglia. Showers (3 times a week) and distribution of hygiene supplies are provided, as well as distribution of clean clothes (either second-hand or previously washed by the teams).

• communication. Through social media and images, we seek to raise awareness of what is happening at this border. 

• Monitoring the border to provide information, water and food to people trying to reach Ventimiglia.

Team composition: Logistics + monitoring + communications + protection + health (4 to 5 days of handover with the previous coordinator). These are the positions needed and the dates that need to be covered. To be selected, you must commit to two months in the field. 

1 POSITION: LOGISTICS/TRACKING FOCAL POINT 

• Support colleagues with logistics: welcome new arrivals, facilitate local documentation in coordination with NNK staff.

• Equipment, facilities, vehicles: ensure that NNK items are used correctly; if not, request replacement/repair.

• Supplies for activities: prevent illegal materials from being stored in the warehouse (e.g. some medicines require a prescription); keep the NNK contact database up to date; in coordination with the team, define food and NFI needs and draw up a purchasing plan in coordination with the monitoring Focal Point, in accordance with the team's budget.

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.

What do you need to know before you come? 

Working in Ventimiglia presents significant challenges. Tensions arise under the bridge, borders are often ignored, and volunteers who identify as women have sometimes faced difficult situations. Evictions in the area can be violent, leaving those who witness these events with a deep sense of injustice. We are also aware that our current project does not fully address the needs of people who reside in Ventimiglia without actively migrating. Although we are working to adapt to this reality, additional funds and renewed energy are needed to expand our efforts.

From a logistical point of view, Ventimiglia is a chaotic city; parking is particularly difficult, especially in the summer months. The house we use is spacious but old, and currently also serves as a warehouse, which complicates the balance between daily life and logistical operations.

On the positive side, there continues to be strong demand for information about the French border, and our advocacy and monitoring work is well-founded. Collaboration with French organisations further strengthens the impact of these efforts. Food distribution remains a highlight, as it fosters a sense of community and meaningful dialogue with attendees. Providing mobile showers is a fundamental part of our mission, as it gives clear purpose to our presence; without us, many people would have no other means of maintaining basic hygiene.

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)