Aim

This bootcamp aims to support Eco Projects and other groups of people in Greece in their start or early steps as a bioregional weaving lab.

Key learning topics will be 'how to lead multistakeholder collaborations', the role of such initiatives through the lens of other big actors and frameworks such as the EU, and the sustainability of such initiatives, looking at the financial side of them.

We will welcome 7-10 initiatives from all around rural Greece in this bootcamp, support them in their development and facilitate peer-to-peer learning.

Our aim is to support the initiatives after this bootcamp with coaching and mentoring through their key challenges for a period of 6 months, using our wide network of experts and practitioners.

For who this is

The bootcamp welcomes eco projects, grassroots initiatives, local leaders, and emerging changemakers who are working towards regenerative futures in their regions. It is important that you already started exploring the idea with other people in your region, whether you started already or not. We suggest from each regional group that 2-3 people from the core team participate.

Language

English and potetially some sessions in Greek (translation support will be provided if necessary)

Funding

This course is funded through a grant of the Bioregional weaving labs

Important Info for Participants

Schedule

Friday 4:30pm - 8:30pm
Saturday 8:30am-5pm
Sunday 9am-2:30pm

Acknowledgement

Every participant of this bootcamp will receive a certificate of attendance.

Apply

Use the link below to apply. The application should be submitted by one representative of your initiative, on behalf of your initiative. At the end of the application you will be asked to name the other 1-2 participants from your initiative that will take part in this bootcamp.
After the submission of your application, we will review it, and might reach out to you via phone to further assess your eligibility and suitedness for this bootcamp.
Deadline for the application: 20th May
Participant selection: 26th May

Costs

We don't ask for a financial contribution from participants for this bootcamp, as is is funded through the Bioregional Weaving Labs. Snacks and a lunch on Saturday are provided. We do not cover accommodation in Athens or your travel to the venue.

Hosts and trainers

Sheila Darmos

Host

She is the co-founder of The Southern Lights non profit organisation, farmer and a social entrepreneur. She turned her farm into an eco project welcoming educational actvities in 2017 together with her cousin Panos Darmos. Soon after she co-initiated the Eco Project Network, and through her observation of other projects life cycle and development soon saw their natural evolution towards bioregional weaving labs. A concept she came across one year after the co-initiation of a bioregional weaving lab in her own region, Laconia. In 2025 she co-organised a training in The Southern Lights farm on bioregional initiatives and observed the growing need in Greece to support such initiatives, mainly eco projects, uniting with other stakeholders in their region and thus established The Southern Lights as the backbone organisation in Greece for other BWLs.

Sophie Lamprou

Host and Trainer

As a Co-founder of Impact Hub Athens—part of the world’s leading network for social innovation—Sophie empowers entrepreneurs to tackle systemic social challenges through sustainable initiatives. With a background in the Madrid Impact Hub hosting team, she specializes in community building, design thinking, and participatory leadership. Beyond her work with the Creative Society consultancy and her global research on youth entrepreneurship, she lectures on social entrepreneurship at IE Business School’s MBA programs. She holds a degree in Management Science and Technology and has extensive leadership experience within AIESEC at both local and international levels. She is also part of the Bioregional Weaving lab Laconia and part of the BWL backbone team for Greece

Noa Lodeizen

Trainer

Noa Lodeizen is a prominent social entrepreneur and the co-founder of the Bioregional weaving labs organisation in the Netherlands. Lodeizen's work focuses on fostering collaboration and creating impactful solutions to address pressing global challenges.
Her passion for social entrepreneurship has been a significant driving force in her career. Lodeizen believes in leveraging collective efforts to create sustainable change, particularly in the context of environmental and social issues. She is an influential figure in the social innovation landscape, dedicated to building a thriving planet through collaborative initiatives.

Beate Samaras

Trainer

Turned a conventional olive grove into a regenerative farmed grove and received 4 international awards already in the 1st year of production - integrated farm management with livestock (donkeys), direct distribution, open farm concept, proprietary compost production, featured by Renature, visited by tourists. And all that while consulting clients from my past professional life on their journey to sustainable finance and impact investing. Being herself based in rural Greece she inherently understand the challenges of a bioregional approach and will support participants in creating financially sustainable initiatives, nurturing people and land.

Giannis Lekkas

Trainer

With experience in social businesses supporting rural development in Greece, he is passionate about supporting unique initiatives that create solutions to build a better world, integrating a solid financial model into their operations. He will support participants understand how to build such a model and guide them in the process.

Elena Lamprou

Host and Trainer

With a decade of experience in designing and delivering diverse awareness-raising, business development, and incubation programs, and in facilitating community engagement and driving impact through social entrepreneurship. Over the past 8 years, she has collaborated with more than 300 entrepreneurs and facilitated hundreds of co-creation workshops involving underrepresented groups, rural communities, public authorities, and corporations. Additionally, she has delivered over 3,000 hours of training, guiding participants of all ages, from children to adults, in building impact-driven communities. Her expertise lies in empowering individuals and organizations to communicate their projects effectively and achieve meaningful social impact.