Hunger relief centers such as soup kitchens and food banks have a long history of supporting the most vulnerable in society, and they remain today as a vitally important tool in the fight against hunger. Soup kitchens play a crucial role in filling the cracks of the existing social support structures and providing immediate, tangible support in the form of food to the hungry. This role becomes especially vital in times of crisis and instability when existing vulnerabilities in society are exacerbated. In the context of the green transition, these support services further present unique avenues to work towards a more sustainable future, such as through redirecting food waste to soup kitchens. Supporting these organizations is therefore not only a step towards food security but can further be a step towards a greener future. However, to be effective any support action first requires a strong understanding of the real situation and needs on the ground.
As of 2022, over 50 hunger relief organizations operate in Bosnia and Herzegovina, serving over 16,000 people annually. In the wake of the economic and social impacts of COVID-19, and anticipated food price hikes caused by the war in Ukraine, the UNDP recognized that these vital institutions would likely be faced with intensely increased needs while finding their resources stretched thin. Between September and December 2022, the CENER 21 team conducted a detailed mapping of the state of play of soup kitchens in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to guide the UNDP in understanding the key support needed. This included key stakeholder interviews, comprehensive surveys, and field visits with all operating soup kitchens in the country. The data collected sought to document the immediate direct needs of soup kitchens as well as the current strengths, challenges, and opportunities in terms of the economic, social, and environmental state of play among soup kitchens.
Utilizing the data collection, the report: Mapping soup kitchens in Bosnia and Herzegovina – analytical report was published. This report elaborates the state of play among soup kitchens in the country and the impacts of COVID-19 on their operations, facilitating evidence-based policy and action. Further, the data collected for the report included concrete information on the specific needs of individual soup kitchens. CENER 21 was able to share this specific data with the UNDP on procurement needs and other support needs, which helped directly determine the aid provided to these institutions.