Do you have an innovative idea for the sustainability of your place?
Take part in the business support programme for green solutions/initiatives in regions all over Greece
Rural Incubators: a network for environmental sustainability through entrepreneurship in the region
Impact Hub Athens, this year completes 10 years of action in the field of entrepreneurship aiming at positive social and environmental impact. Capitalizing on its expertise and experience and recognizing the urgent need to create solutions that target sustainable development, it expands its network to the Greek periphery, as the community of the social economy ecosystem expands with the inclusion of partners from private organizations and local stakeholders from all over the country.
Believing in the need for local communities themselves to highlight solutions for environmental sustainability and social resilience, Impact Hub Athens, with the support of the Google.org Foundation, has launched a pioneering programme focusing on the development of social innovation in smaller urban centres across the country.
The aim is to create and maintain – even after the end of the programme – a network of business support organisations throughout Greece – and especially in areas that have suffered severe environmental and production damage – that will continue to operate and cooperate to initiate, support and implement sustainable solutions for the environment.
This distinct community of Rural Incubators is made up of 8 organisations. The first Open Calls are launched by: Psila Vouna – North/South Pindos, Bizrupt NGO – Rethymnon, Active Youth Group of Florina – Florina/Western Macedonia, Development Company of Karditsa, Development Company of Peloponnese and Ionian Islands, and LightHub – Chamber of Evros.
At the same time, the creation of business ecosystems for environmental sustainability in Kalamata and South Tzoumerka is being cultivated, in cooperation with KINSEP FAOS and Boulouki respectively.
The Rural Incubators programme responds to the need to strengthen local business ecosystems and becomes an important tool for enhancing the resilience of the Greek periphery.
From 18 September to 15 October, organisations and business groups can submit their own ideas and proposals for solutions that promote sustainability to the open calls for different regions and thus ensure their participation in business support/empowerment programmes from November 2023 to February 2024.
You can find the applications and selection criteria for each region separately here, as defined by the network operators:
1/ https://etappeloponnisos.gr/dromoi-epicheirimatikotitas/- Messinia
2/ https://growcrete.bizrupt.gr/- Region of Crete
3/ https://www.oenef.eu/lab/rural-incubators/- Region of Florina
4/https://thehighmountains.org/opencall/?fbclid=IwAR0DW_f0X5ffRvGz3FGJQRDOnTyIxuRUur1e4C_–j4C3BdG1PDopzAsONU – Pindos
5/ https://www.lighthub.gr/green-accelerator/, Region of Evros
Due to these events, the open call for the Karditsa region will start in early October, in order to adapt to the new conditions and emerging challenges of the region.
At the same time, on 27/09 at 11.00- 13.00 at Symbeeosis premises in Peania, the launch event of the program will take place with the participation of the Impact Hub Athens team and representatives of the Rural Incubators, presenting the program, local needs and objectives in a discussion on how we can develop a sustainable, resilient and inclusive economy with a focus on the Region of Greece.
For the necessary confirmation of participation, please contact here: https://athens.impacthub.community/form/registration
