KALOO
KALOO is a cultural organisation working where art, environment, and social care intersect. Rooted in community needs and shaped by both creative and scientific methods, KALOO empowers people facing climate challenges, water scarcity, and social exclusion—turning collective creativity into tools for resilience and change.
About
KALOO is a multidisciplinary cultural organisation based on the island of Lesvos, Greece, working at the intersection of artistic practice, environmental resilience, and psychosocial wellbeing. Grounded in care-based methods and scientific insight, KALOO addresses critical challenges such as water poverty, climate adaptation, and social exclusion in vulnerable island communities. Its unique model integrates Blue Skills—covering water governance, circular design, and sustainable tourism—into participatory, arts-based learning that empowers individuals and communities alike. Recognised with a number of awards, KALOO is celebrated for its inclusive, trauma-informed work with refugees, low-income households, youth, and elderly citizens. The organisation brings strategic leadership in cultural resilience and civic empowerment, with a strong track record in EU project coordination, evaluation, and impact measurement.
Activities
KALOO designs and delivers participatory programmes that combine care-based artistic practices with participatory training, co-creation, and public engagement to build environmental literacy and foster social cohesion. KALOO’s strength lies in its ability to bridge sectors—linking art, science, mental health, and governance—to catalyse cultural innovation and drive systemic change from the ground up.
Team
KALOO’s team brings together artists, researchers, educators, and community organisers with deep experience in cultural resilience, environmental justice, and psychosocial care. United by a trauma-informed, cross-disciplinary approach, they co-create inclusive programmes that empower island communities, blending creative practice with scientific insight to drive meaningful, systemic, and sustainable change.
Context
KALOO operates on the small and rural EU island of Lesvos, situated at the border with Turkey. Remote and resource-stretched, Lesvos faces acute climate pressures, migration flows, and social fragmentation. The island hosts a mix of long-term residents, refugees, low-income households, youth, and elderly citizens—all navigating overlapping vulnerabilities. This unique context makes Lesvos a vital microcosm for Europe—where environmental, geopolitical, and social challenges converge, demanding creative, inclusive, and deeply place-based solutions.
