The Kypseli Municipal Market is a multifunctional space that stimulates culture, innovation and creative entrepreneurship. The market still serves its original role as a marketplace whilst also catering for cultural and social entrepreneurial activities. The market is managed by Impact Hub Athens, which strives to turn the market into a catalyst for the regeneration of the local community and economy.
The Municipal Market of Kypseli is a 1.345m2 food market situated in one of the oldest neighbourhoods of Athens along the Fokionos Aegri Avenue. This avenue is traditionally known for its bohemian-intellectual and socio-cultural activity. The marketplace was built in the 1930s and was in operation until 2003. The increasing urbanization of the neighbourhood threatened to lead to demolition of the emblematic building to make way for a multistorey car park. To prevent this, various neighbourhood groups came together under the collective ‘Open Municipal Market Squat’. They occupied the building to utilize it for community activities and preserve it for community use. In 2012, the municipality of Athens received funding from the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) to renovate the building. [1;3;4]
After the renovation, the municipality of Athens organised a public consultation to develop a vision for the market’s future that was in line with community needs. This consultation was conducted through the SynAtnhina platform, which combines a digital tool with public meetings. Considering the results from the public consultation, a public tender was opened to receive economically sustainable and socially beneficial projects for the market’s regeneration. Through this tender, Impact Hub Athens was selected to manage the market for at least 5 years. [3;4]
Impact Hub Athens strives to turn the market into a catalyst for the local community and economy’s regeneration by promoting culture, innovation, and creative entrepreneurship. [3;4] Nowadays, the market functions both as a permanent marketplace and has (thematic and non-thematic) pop-up markets. It is home to many social enterprises, including local producers, second-hand shops and creative enterprises. Together with partners, Impact Hub Athens provides courses and educational activities around modern technology, entrepreneurship and artistic expression to students [2]. Impact Hub Athens has implemented a dedicated learning space, as well as a digital lab. [3] There is a Music Lab that provides classes and organises concerts and masterclasses. [2] Furthermore, a wide range of cultural events, including festivals with multi-ethnic themes, movie screening and music improvisation nights, are hosted in the market. [1;2;3] The municipality of Athens runs a Citizen Service Point from the market. [3]
Within a year after public re-opening in October 2018, the renewed market had already welcomed 68 events with over 20.000 visitors, as well as 1.500 visitors daily. More than 37 jobs had been created, either directly by Impact Hub Athens or by the entrepreneurs operating from the market. [2]
The market building is owned by the municipality of Athens. Since 2016, Impact Hub Athens has managed the market following a public tender. Impact Hub Athens, part of the international network of impact hubs, is an organisation focused on stimulating entrepreneurship and social innovation. [2;3;4]
In 2012, the municipality of Athens received EU funding through the National Strategic Reference Framework. This funding was utilised for the renovation of the marketplace. [2]
In 2016, following the public tender, the municipality signed an agreement with Impact Hub Athens that allows this organisation to manage the building free of rent for the first five years of operation. [3]
Impact Hub Athens is generating rental income through the shops within the market. Furthermore, revenue is generated through cultural activities, events and workshops. Impact Hub Athens also actively looks for private partnerships and donations. Like with The People’s Trust, a private non-profit organisation that offers support to Greek start-ups. This organisation has offered each new social enterprise in the complex an initiation grant of €5.000 to support these businesses in raising their social impact. [3]
Municipal Market of Kypseli, organisational website, agorakypselis.gr/, accessed on 13/02/2022
Impact Hub Athens (2019), Municipal Market of Kypseli – Back to the Hood, available on agorakypselis.gr/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Municipal-Market-of-Kypseli_quickpitch_ENG_Final.pdf, accessed on 13/02/2022
Reinventing the Agora, available on nws.eurocities.eu/MediaShell/media/2019_ROCK_CaseStudies-Governance-Athens.pdf, accessed on 13/02/2022
Impact Hub Athens, organisational website, athens.impacthub.net/kypseli-municipal-market/?lang=en, accessed on 13/02/2022