To overcome the severe crisis that has brought Greece to its knees in the last six years, an innovative idea is born in Syros, in the heart of the Cyclades Islands: an anti-crisis cooperative founded by women only.
Every day about twenty Greek ladies prepare delicious dishes typical of the area and then sell them in a restaurant in the centre. Surplus food is instead donated to associations for the poor.
A turnover of around 400.000 euros a year: just think that with their earnings they restored an ancient monastery where their kitchens were built.
“Due to the recession – said Anna Darzenta, President of the To Kastri Cooperative – many of our collaborators have joined the cooperative because their husbands have lost their jobs. Our wages are about 20% higher than in the private sector."
The strategy of this new business? Always focus on new customers every day, reducing the prices of portions by 1 euro, as requested by the unions and introducing the loyalty card and small gifts for regular customers.
In Europe, every year, out of 4 companies that are born, one is of a social nature. But why are they so important? “The European Confederation of Cooperatives – said Dr. Ioannis K. Nasioulas European consultant – represents about 50.000 companies. 1,4 million people work there, with a turnover of 50 billion euros a year. Thus, in times of crisis, the potential of social entrepreneurship becomes very important. First of all, the real strength of these social enterprises lies in the fact that they do not rely on bank loans. And then they have large shares of capital, not just in cash, but of various kinds. Without forgetting that they are very flexible at the local level”.
Perhaps social entrepreneurship could help Greece emerge from the serious crisis, given that the sector is growing rapidly. The GDP of these cooperatives in the Greek territory is around 1,5 billion euros, Dr. K. Nasioulas has always maintained. And it is constantly increasing, compared to the national GDP, while decreasing due to the recession.
