The Rural Tourism Cluster epaithros+ is particularly proud that its member has been awarded, “Apo Kinou” Community Cooperative”, which won the 1st prize at HackSocial Crete 2025. This distinction recognises the systematic and collective work of the CooperativeCommunity, which, through natural and organic farming practices, partnerships with small-scale producers and the direct distribution of products without intermediaries, contributes significantly to the empowerment of local communities.
The following is the press release as published by the Regional Mechanism for the Support and Development of Social Entrepreneurship in the Region of Crete, PANETAIK S.A., a member of the epaithros+ Cluster.
The three winners of the Social Hackathon awards
The HackSocial Crete 2025 training programme, which took place on 6 and 7 December 2025, within the framework of the Regional Mechanism for the Support and Development of Social Entrepreneurship in the Region of Crete, at the Polycentre in Heraklion, was successfully completed.
This is a participatory learning and design process, in which existing and newly established social enterprises collaborated to create new or improved products and services, which will enhance their financial sustainability and increase their social impact. Through well-established methodologies such as lean design, design thinking, user experience design and pitching, as well as tools specifically designed for such projects, the participants gained experience and knowledge on how a product or service is taken from concept to implementation, so that they can apply this in the future.
The seven participating teams, selected from a total of twenty-one applications to take part in HACKSOCIAL 2025, were Cultural Memory Co. S.Ep. (Chania), Oikanos Co. S.Ep. (Heraklion), Filagrios Co. S.Ep. (Rethymno), Museum of School Life Co. S.Ep. (Chania), Apo Koinou Co. S.Ep. (Heraklion), Pemptousia Co. S.Ep. (Chania) and HUMANI.T.I Co. S.Ep. (Heraklion).
The social enterprises’ presentations and the final awards ceremony took place before a jury on Sunday 7 December 2025 in the afternoon.
The first prize was presented to the Heraklion-based cooperative, Apo Koinou, by the Deputy Regional Governor for the Environment, Nikolaos Xylouris.
The organisational structure of APO KOINOU, with its decentralised, participatory, horizontal and direct democratic procedures, ensures that every member of the community – whether an employee, a volunteer or a friend of the project – has an equal say and is equally involved. This equality fosters a sense of responsibility, cooperation and trust, serving as a small example of democracy in practice.
Their work centres on the cultivation and production of agricultural produce using natural or organic methods, without the use of pesticides or genetically modified organisms, whilst respecting the natural cycles of the seasons. Their partnerships with small-scale producers and organic farmers, as well as with cooperatives and small businesses that share the same values, strengthen local communities and support vulnerable social groups, such as smallholder farmers. They produce and distribute products without intermediaries and without relying on large commercial networks, thereby contributing to fair, domestic and sustainable development. The members cultivate their fields, scattered across various parts of the Cretan countryside, using organic and traditional methods. The harvest is transported to the Co.S.Ep. packaging plant, from where it is either distributed directly to households in the form of baskets, or processed into high-quality products, rich in nutritional value and with a distinctive flavour.
Among its products, the unique wild mustard, sour apple ketchup, hot pepper sauce and pumpkin chutney are particularly noteworthy. These products are available in Greece and abroad, with the aim of continuously improving and increasing production.
Their innovation is not based on technological superiority or uncritical development, but on a return to the essence, on solidarity, dialogue, community, respect for people and nature, simplicity and, ultimately, self-sufficiency. They propose a model of social innovation that restores value to human relationships and community life, where production, consumption and organisation are based on trust, cooperation and hard work.
The second prize was awarded to the ‘Cultural Memory’ Cooperative Enterprise, based in Chania, by Efstratios Flemetakis, President of the Regional Development Company of Crete and Regional Councillor.
Cultural Memory is a social cooperative enterprise based in Askifou, Sfakia, Crete, which is dedicated to the research, promotion and preservation of historical and cultural heritage. Its aim is to connect communities with their past through public history, documentation, digital tools and educational initiatives. In this context, the project “Memory Trail in the Martyr Villages of Eastern Selino” is being developed, which highlights the history of the villages of Moni, Koustogerako and Livada, which were destroyed during the German occupation. The project comprises a themed trail featuring information boards, period photographs, testimonies and QR codes, as well as a digital documentation platform developed in collaboration with the War and Historical Museum of Sougia. The initiative will be complemented by educational programmes, guided walks and commemorative events.
The third prize was presented to the Heraklion-based cooperative HUMANI.T.I by Antonis Papaderakis, the Region’s Special Adviser on Innovation.
VetAlert, an app that will be supported by HUMANI.TY., delivers a range of social and environmental benefits, as it tackles a widespread and recurring problem: members of the public do not know how to respond when they come across injured animals, leading to delays that often cost lives.
It will offer
- To improve the living conditions of injured animals and reduce unnecessary losses, as it will enable immediate assessment and guidance on how to care for them. For domesticated or stray animals, it will provide 24-hour direct access to veterinary care.
- Reducing inequalities in access to care, as this will enable everyone — regardless of their economic, geographical or social status — to have immediate access to advice and the nearest available professionals.
- Strengthening local development and partnerships through the synergy of local veterinary clinics and the interconnection of professionals, organisations and citizens, thereby contributing to the creation of a solidarity-based care network.
- Environmental protection, in the form of wildlife rescue — turtles, birds, hedgehogs and endangered species — is directly linked to the preservation of biodiversity.
VetAlert will act as a “digital rescue guide”, reducing the environmental impact of human intervention.
The members of the jury expressed their great satisfaction with the organisation as a whole, as well as with the participants’ proposals, emphasising that the implementation of such innovative projects – which utilise technology to address the challenges of modern society and bring about positive changes with a social impact – is a source of inspiration.
Source: panetaik.gr