Kairós – Cooperativa de Incubação de Iniciativas de Economia Solidária

Kairós supports and incubates solidarity economy projects from its base in Ponta Delgada, Azores. It's a social cooperative, founded as part of the solidarity economy movement that was then growing in the region, and its full name is Kairós – Cooperativa de Incubação de Iniciativas de Economia Solidária. The projects it backs put people at the centre of their own development, with a focus on human dignity, social inclusion and community empowerment. It started as an associative movement focused on social intervention. Later it became a more structured organisation that incubates a range of solidarity initiatives, from social production projects to community support programmes. Its work covers support for vulnerable groups, local production, and cooperative structures that create jobs and give people ways to take part in social life. Working with local associations as partners, it has supported community initiatives such as social gardens and inclusive production projects. Kairós has been recognised as one of the pioneering organisations of the solidarity economy movement in the Azores. Its model of economic development is a grassroots one, putting solidarity, cooperation and people ahead of profit alone. It takes part in national and European networks and conferences on social innovation and inclusive economic models. It remains active in the solidarity economy of the Azores, working with researchers, policymakers and community organisations to strengthen social cohesion and economic resilience across the islands.