Social Co-operative “Arhipelagos”

Social Co-operative “Arhipelagos” was established in June 2014 (Founding Assembly) and was fully legalized in 12/19/2014, when the legitimate governing body was elected.

It is active in the geographical regions of Kipseli, Ano Kipseli, Polygono, Ano Patissia, Lamprini, Prompona, Galatsi and the wider Attica Prefecture.
It is a social cooperative enterprise that aims to create jobs for people with mental health problems, migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and other socially vulnerable people.

It has 88 members including 37 people from vulnerable social groups (especially people with mental health problems, as well as migrants, refugees and asylum seekers); 34 mental health professionals; and 17 members who are natural or legal persons, solidarity and mental health bodies, non-governmental organizations, private companies and public legal entities.
It aims to develop social and solidary entrepreneurship by creating viable jobs for the socio-economic integration of people who are excluded from the labor market.

At the moment, its activities entail minor repairs of buildings and homes, cleaning of residential and commercial buildings and sites and provision of cultural mediation services. We are already working on the creation of new activities such as waiting tables, Pop up Restaurant, catering and “second hand” products sale.

General Description

Social Co-operatives of Limited Liability (KoiSPE), is a specific form of a co-operative organization (i.e. social enterprise), which serves both economic and social purposes. It aims to improve the socio-economic re-integration and vocational re-insertion of persons with mental health problems, contributing both to their rehabilitation and to their economic self-sufficiency.

The relevant legal provisions strictly define that a KoiSPE is partnership consisting of three parties: 

Upon becoming a member of the co-operative, each member receives one co-operative share and there are options of obtaining more shares. These social co-operatives provide an opportunity for people with mental health challenges to regain skills or to acquire new ones through on-the-job training and work experience. At the same time, they can learn to work on a collective basis and can contribute to managing the performance of the co-operatives activities. The operation of a KoiSPE, including salaries, is principally funded from the sales of products and services but many also receive donations, state grants and EU funding.

Today there are 23 Social Co-operatives of Limited Liability operating across Greece. They have developed a wide range of activities, including cultivation and trading of agricultural products; cleaning services; honey processing, packaging and trading; environmental restoration and protection services; and restaurants and catering services. Of the 750 persons currently engaged in these activities, 620 are people with mental health issues.