Still think Greeks are sitting idle, the helpless victims of events in their country? Think again. In 2013, we carried out an extensive study to map all the grassroots movements in Greece who are stepping in where the system is failing, and produce the first edition of our grassroots map, titled 'Coffee-drinking lazy Greeks?'.
Now, we've released a second edition of the map – 'Ouzo-drinking lazy Greeks?' – fully updated and including over 60% more groups!
What is this?
The map is a poster showing all the grassroots groups that are currently active in Greece, split into ten categories from neighbourhood assemblies to education movements to alternative micro-economies, with information on each group and details of an example group in each category. We've also included a list of all these groups in text format, with links to their websites (below).
All the groups have been verified by us as grassroots, explicitly not-for-profit, Greece-based and active as of June 2014. By ‘grassroots’, we mean that the groups are open for others to join and that, at the time of their inception, they had no affiliation with a profit-making entity.
Like all our productions, the poster is made available under the Creative Commons license. Download it in high-resolution format and use it however you want.
What’s new in this version?
For this second edition of the map, there are 70% more groups, and a new category (Information Technology). We've provided English translations where appropriate, and we've removed all the groups that we found were no longer active. Thanks to all the groups who wrote to us to let us know of updates!
Help us keep this map up to date
This map is an ongoing project. If you notice any errors or omissions, let us know and we'll make the necessary changes to the list below, as well as in the next version of the poster!
List of grassroots groups and their websites
Alternative Economies and Local Exchange Trading Systems
Movements organising micro-economies without middle-men or without money, to increase solidarity and strengthen social bonds
Art and Culture
Collectives making alternative art, organising free cultural events, and experimenting with new lifestyle models (carpooling, cohabitation, cycling and reviving abandoned spaces)
Collective Kitchens
Communal events where citizens cook & eat together, paying only what they can & with the goal of sharing knowledges & ideas
Education
Groups providing free lessons and knowledge exchange, stimulating entrepreneurship, or hosting game festivals or book-swapping initiatives
Environment, Nature & Ecology
Groups campaigning for a better environment, and eco-communes implementing a vision of a self-sufficient sustainable society
Health
Volunteer movements providing free medical services, drugs and vaccines for people without access to public health facilities
Human Rights
Solidarity networks helping refugees and migrants, supporting basic rights, or tackling racism or discrimination
LGBT groups
Information Technology
Groups promoting open-source software and freedom of information
Citizen journalism and independent outlets, providing alternative views and reporting you won’t hear in Greek mainstream media
Greek-language outlets
International outlets (with content mostly in English)
Neighbourhood Assemblies & Democracy Projects
Projects advancing economic, ecological and political democracy