Kairós – Cooperativa de Incubação de Iniciativas de Economia Solidária

Kairós – Cooperativa de Incubação de Iniciativas de Economia Solidária is a social cooperative based in Ponta Delgada, in the Azores archipelago. Founded as part of the growing solidarity economy movement in the region, Kairós supports and incubates projects that place people at the center of their own development, promoting human dignity, social inclusion, and community empowerment. The cooperative began as an associative movement focused on social intervention, later evolving into a structured organization that incubates diverse solidarity initiatives, ranging from social production projects to community support programs. Kairós has been recognized as one of the pioneering organizations of the solidarity economy movement in the Azores, participating in national and European networks and conferences dedicated to social innovation and inclusive economic models. Its work spans supporting vulnerable populations, fostering local production, and building cooperative structures that create meaningful employment and social participation opportunities. Through partnerships with local associations, the cooperative has supported community initiatives such as social gardens and inclusive production projects. Kairós represents a model of grassroots economic development that prioritizes solidarity, cooperation, and human-centered growth over purely profit-driven approaches. It continues to play an active role in shaping the solidarity economy landscape of the Azores, collaborating with researchers, policymakers, and community organizations to strengthen social cohesion and economic resilience across the islands.