The Cooperative Community “Apo Koinou” is one of the oldest social and solidarity enterprises in Greece. It was founded in 2013 in Heraklion by people who shared a common vision of a world based on trust, human relationships, and collectivity. Its aim is to promote a fair, ethical, and ecological way of life, harmoniously integrated into the natural environment, with respect for sustainability and a deep connection to the arts and culture.
“Apo Koinou” seeks to develop a self-sufficient community through small-scale production using natural methods, low-intensity, human-centered services, alternative education, and the preservation of local traditions. They are active across the entire agri-food chain from cultivating agricultural products to delivering them directly to households and creating unique packaged goods that are rooted in, yet creatively renew, the values of the Cretan dietary culture. At the same time, they offer dining, agrotourism, and cooking services at their visitable fields and processing facility, proposing an alternative food model in response to contemporary challenges.