History and Founding
The Vassilios Tsingos Foundation was established in 2021 in memory of the eponymous resistance fighter and pioneer of the cooperative movement.
Its purpose is to honor Vassilios Tsingos’s legacy by promoting initiatives that strengthen social cohesion and provide opportunities for learning and collaboration, especially for young people and the underprivileged.
Purpose and Mission
The Foundation aims to implement and support initiatives in three core areas:
- Education: We support educational programs, workshops, and publications that disseminate knowledge and develop skills, particularly targeting vulnerable social groups.
- Research: We fund research projects related to social economy, rural development, and innovative practices in collective organization.
- Cooperation: We encourage the creation and strengthening of cooperative enterprises, promoting collective action and self-organization as drivers of sustainable development.
Operational Philosophy
The Foundation’s fundamental principle is the optimal use of resources for the greatest social benefit (“efficiency”). Every resource is evaluated based on its potential to achieve the highest positive impact relative to cost. In other words, we strive to generate significant social value with the best possible resource allocation, ensuring that each initiative we undertake has a measurable effect.
Main Activities
- Educational Initiative: “The Diary of an Apprentice Astronaut”
Our inaugural educational project is the Greek translation and publication of the book “The Diary of an Apprentice Astronaut” by Samantha Cristoforetti, astronaut at the European Space Agency. In collaboration with Patakis Publishers, we ensure a high-quality translation and edition designed to inspire young readers to engage with STEM fields and space exploration. - Support for Research Programs
We fund studies focusing on the cooperative sector, social entrepreneurship, and the economic empowerment of vulnerable communities. Our goal is to back researchers and organizations that propose innovative solutions at both local and national levels. - Promotion of Cooperative Networks
We support initiatives for the formation and reinforcement of local cooperatives, particularly in agricultural and artisanal sectors. We organize educational workshops, training seminars, and events that bring together active community members and help them successfully organize collective actions.
