Cooperative “Irina”

The project

The small cheese Cooperative “Irina” of Tilos was created in 2018 aiming at reviving organized animal husbandry and processing in the island, while offering work to the asylum seekers who reside on the island through ESTIA project (Greek Reception System-apartments). For the local government of Tilos, the refugee crisis was a unique opportunity to revive its primary sector island, an area that urbanism and the shift to tourism led to wilting. The Cooperative aims at smooth integration and socialization of the asylum seekers and recognized refugees, with the ultimate aim of their integration into the population and society of Tilos.

The municipality of Tilos and local partners (farmers, shepherds, workers) have contributed with their know-how and work efforts: land, agricultural machinery, part of the flock of goats, buildings, a parcel to receive the production unit, supervision for the implementation in place of the project and the training of the interested beneficiaries.  

The impact of the good practice

The Association aims, with the equal cooperation and mutual assistance of its partner members in the economic, social and cultural development of the island and through a co-owned and democratically run company, in the smooth integration and socialization of asylum seekers and recognized refugees into the population and society of Tilos.