ABOUT US
EKO, the Entrepreneurship and Social Economy Group, is a non-profit organisation seated in Athens, Greece, established in 2013, operating at a local and European level, with youth as its main target group. EKO`s primary mission is to contribute to the creation of an inclusive society, free from prejudice and discrimination, which will be in the position to develop and grow sustainably. Particularly within Greece, its major concerns refer to the challenges of:
○ Youth and women unemployment and economic obstacles as a result of the economic crisis of the last decade and the recent Covid-19 health crisis
○ The xenophobic attitudes, cultural intolerance and exclusion created by the migration crisis
○ The need to achieve greater participation of individuals and the young generation to political and social life at a national and European level Multiple environmental issues which affect sustainable development at a local, national and international level.
To achieve this mission EKO focuses on the following specific objectives:
Youth Empowerment
Empowering youth and vulnerable social groups through non-formal education, youth work, and life-long learning, as well as through the promotion of youth and female entrepreneurship and innovation
Intercultural Dialogue
Facilitating intercultural and interreligious awareness and solidarity, especially within Greece and Europe, as well as between Europe and MENA, by providing dialogue platforms, organizing cultural exchanges and tolerance trainings
Active Citizenship
Fostering active participation and civic engagement of young people, and assisting them to address novel challenges and become agents of change in their local communities
Environment
Actively supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and environmental causes, and promoting green growth and sustainable social and economic models
International Cooperation
Strengthening cross-border civil society, through knowledge transfer and sharing of good practices, as well as through collaborative initiatives with its broad network of international partners
What We Do
○ We design and coordinate national and international projects that respond to real social, educational, and community needs
○ We carry out applied research to better understand challenges and create meaningful solutions
○ We develop practical intellectual outputs, including studies, toolkits, methodologies, and educational resources
○ We organize and deliver seminars, workshops, and training programs that encourage learning, dialogue, and exchange
○ We believe in sharing knowledge, building capacities, and working collaboratively to create lasting impact
