Wind of Renewal—Anemos Ananeosis—is a social cooperative founded in Athens in 2014 by a group of socially active individuals seeking to demonstrate new models for social economy, sustainability, and community engagement. Its work combines practical initiatives with advocacy, rooted in the context of Greece’s economic crisis and the subsequent challenges faced by its population and new arrivals.
A cornerstone of Wind of Renewal's activities is the WELCOMMON Hostel, an innovative project in central Athens serving both as a hostel and a community center. Previously, from September 2016 to February 2018, the organization operated the WELCOMMON Refugees Center, providing dignified accommodation, basic needs, and integration support for up to 200 vulnerable refugees, in partnership with the Athens Development and Destination Management Agency and UNHCR. Since 2018, WELCOMMON Hostel has hosted travelers and served as a hub for sustainable tourism, social inclusion, intercultural dialogue, and green entrepreneurship. Five floors are dedicated to guests, while two floors host community activities and social projects.
Current projects include free language classes for refugees and local Greeks, inclusive art and cultural events, and vocational training for young Greeks in climate action and energy transition. Wind of Renewal also collaborates with the Union of Ukrainian Women in Greece to support refugees fleeing conflict, with activities like theater, language classes, and creative workshops offered by volunteers.
The cooperative reinvests any surplus into new social, environmental, and job-generating activities. Its scope includes education schemes, consulting on green and circular economy policies, and active networking across Greece and Europe.