Victims of human trafficking in the Netherlands rose by 54% in 2023 compared to the previous year, according to research according to research by the Coordination Center against Human Trafficking, published in NL Times. But one chain of Dutch restaurants is leveraging its commercial partnership to end the that increasing exploitation. Its name is Dignita.

This social enterprise model provides a pathway to certified training programmes that support vulnerable individuals in developing greater resistance to risk. It’s something the world needs more of, and a dependable route to reintegration victims back into the workplace and society.

Since 2012, Not For Sale Netherlands has been helping trafficking survivors leave behind the world of illegal debt and exploitation in the region.

Starting out as a culinary training opportunity for at-risk individuals and those already living in shelters, students on the courses discovered new skills through food prep and catering experience, providing soups that were then delivered by volunteers to people working in Amsterdam’s Red Light District.

So much more than the traditional soup kitchen charity approach, the experience and insights garnered through these warming relationships developed into a further business opportunity that brought even more benefit and enterprise beyond what was expected.

Following the culinary catalyst of nutritional and emotional support for those at risk Not For Sale build on this enterprise to establish Dignita, a now award-winning group of brunch restaurants that continues with its training roots.

In addition to the entrepreneurial foundations learned in the kitchen, Dignita instills the confidence for its course participants to forge a new path for themselves, often employing those individuals within the restaurant chain.

Dignita’s mission statement of “eat well, do good” only scratches the surface of the positive impact the chain is having, leading the way in enterprise against exploitation.

Profits earned from the chain’s work are reinvested back into Not For Sale Netherlands to ensure that further support work can see the growth that will help more people year-on-year, from a project that is 100% self-sustainable.

The three locations – Vondelpark, Hoftuin, and Westerpark – make up just a small part of what the Dignita offers. This training for a promising and independent future is now host to not only culinary courses, but life skills certification, barista training, and branching out to education in computing beauty schooling, interior design, and language qualifications.

There’s also an additional social enterprise been set-up to provide accountancy and administration support, called FAIR.

“We believe that social enterprise is a powerful tool for change,” explains at Dignita. “Through our work with Not For Sale, we are not only offering individuals the skills and opportunities to rebuild their lives, but also creating self-sustaining businesses that uplifts entire communities.