By Mary Krimnianioti (EFXINI POLI)

The city of Athens and Impact Hub Athens have joined forces to enable social innovation and co-creation in one of the most multicultural neighborhoods of the city, Kypseli. The old municipal market in the area has been renovated by the city, and converted into a hub of social entrepreneurship, a shining example in Europe of the public sector spurring innovation in the private sector.

Today the market has also become a place of creativity and learning, with daily seminars on topics that interest local entrepreneurs and policymakers. The municipality in cooperation with Impact Hub Athens developed one of the most successful public-private partnerships ever seen in the local level. The support by the local administration and the know-how of Impact Hub Athens transformed the old building into a platform of co-creation to enable social innovation.

Events at Impact hub can gather crowds. Photo by Impact Hub.

The larger vision for the market is to become a mechanism of social cohesion, a spirt of cooperation and co-creation in the heart of Athens. The conversion of the old market into a hub of social entrepreneurship has given added value to the neighbourhood and has brought people together in a place that enables socialization and cooperation.