2025 was a landmark year for the Association for the Integration of Women — a year defined by record demand, deeper community engagement, and the strongest impact results we have ever achieved. For everyone who donates, volunteers, partners, or simply believes in our mission, this recap highlights what your support made possible.

Unprecedented Demand & Community Trust

More than 110 women applied for just 19 places in our training programs — the highest number in our history. What makes this even more meaningful is who brought them to us:

23% of all applicants were referred by our own graduates
70% of AIW’s active members are now former trainees

This is the clearest sign that our model works: women who complete the program don’t just succeed — they stay, they lead, and they bring others with them.

Training Impact at a Glance

In 2025, our programs reached new heights in both scale and quality:

18 women graduated (up from 13 in 2024)
7,887 hours of paid training delivered
48 technical workshops across kitchen and front-of-house
13 classroom lessons on contracts, paychecks, CVs, interviews, and more
235 volunteer hours donated by chefs, sala professionals, consultants, and tutors
72 job opportunities identified and shared with graduates

And the most important number of all:

88% of our graduates are employed today

This is not just a statistic — it is economic independence, dignity, and a new beginning.

Angelique, now employed at Al Gatto Verde. Foto Sofia Dalco

What Women Told Us: Confidence, Belonging, and Possibility

Every trainee completes an Entry and Exit Survey. Their words reveal the heart of our impact:

75% say they would have struggled to find a job without the program
100% would recommend the program to a friend

When asked what was the most life-changing part of the program:

70% of trainees report increased self‑esteem
63% of trainees highlight the value of working in a multicultural team

Women who arrived saying “I’m scared to speak” left saying “I can face anything now.” This emotional transformation is as powerful as the professional one.

Panel discussion with our graduates, Graduation Ceremony 2025. Foto Sofia Dalco

Ambassadors, Community Leadership & National Visibility

Our Ambassador program grew to 21 women, many of whom represented AIW across Modena and beyond:

Led workshops for International Women’s Day and the Festival of Migration
Cooked at community events, raising nearly €1,500
Referred 15% of new candidates

And in a milestone moment, nine of our graduates appeared on MasterChef Italia, sharing ingredients from their home countries and cooking side‑by‑side with contestants. Their presence showed a national audience what we see every day: migrant women are leaders, creators, and innovators.

Financial Growth & Sustainability

2025 was also a strong year financially:

€98,905 in new funding
15% increase in fundraising compared to 2024
44% increase in individual donations
Nearly 90% of all expenses dedicated directly to programs

This financial stability allowed us to expand programming, welcome new partners, and lay the groundwork for 2026–2027.

A Year That Belongs to All of Us

2025 was our biggest year yet — not just in numbers, but in courage, community, and shared belief in what migrant women can achieve when given the right tools and support.

To every donor, volunteer, partner, and friend: Thank you for helping us build a Modena where every woman can take root, grow, and thrive.

Khoudia graduating, Graduation ceremony 2025. Foto Sofia Dalco.

Annual Report (English)

Rapporto Annuale (Italiano)

AIW Annual Report 2025: A Year of Record Growth, Impact, and Community Strength