In "The High Mountains" Social Cooperative, we give a unique opportunity to individuals, couples or families with knowledge and experience in agricultural production to put down roots in a mountain village and build a new life close to nature.
If you are looking for a different way of life based on cooperation, self-sufficiency, and creativity, the productive greenhouses of The High Mountains can provide a sustainable source of income. We are here to support you in this new beginning, offering you the tools, infrastructure, and networking opportunities you need to thrive!
What The High Mountains Offer
As part of The High Mountains community ,you will have everything you need to start and develop your activity on the fertile land of Demati, within a framework of cooperation, solidarity, and sustainable development.
- Housing & Living
- Provision of an independent residence for at least one year.
- Low-cost rental option for those who choose to settle permanently.
- Land & Infrastructure
- Four certified organic greenhouses (150 sq.m. each), two of which feature raised beds, located just a two-minute walk from the village.
- 1.5 acres of certified organic outdoor farmlandadjacent to the greenhouses.
- 6 acres of terraced land, also certified organic.
- Possibility of land use declaration (OSDE) for professional farmers.
- Support & Product Distribution Network
- Income generation potential from the greenhouses and farmland.
- Access to our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) network, facilitating direct product sales.
- Connection with agronomists, organic nurseries, and our producer network .
- Integration with the Local Community
- Collaboration with initiatives such as Tzoumakersthe Social and Solidarity Economy Ecosystem and other local structures.
- Tools, Support & Cooperation
- Provision of essential tools (rototiller, hoes, etc.).
- Volunteer support during peak agricultural periods , (harvest, soil preparation, etc.)
- Free access to infrastructure for organizing educational workshops, agritourism experiences, and training programs.
- Support in securing financial tools (European funding, Erasmus+ programs, etc.).
- Assistance in administrative and organizational processes, such as young farmer programs or small-scale agri-business setup.
- Use of our offices in the renovated Old Primary School of Demati,which operates as a co-working space.
- Community & Education
- Participation in collective initiatives and community projects of The High Mountains.
- Access to shared spaces for work, meetings, and collaboration.
- Opportunities to join educational programs and knowledge-sharing exchanges focused on organic farming and cooperative economy.
Be part of a dynamic, cooperative effort that supports sustainable farming and mountain living!
Candidate Profile
We are looking for individuals, couples, or families who:
✅ Have experience or knowledge in agriculture, especially in organic farming or greenhouse cultivation.
✅ Are interested in living and working in a mountain village, actively integrating into the local community.
✅ Want to develop a self-sufficient and sustainable activity, whether exclusively through agricultural production or by combining it with educational or agritourism initiatives.
✅ Are eager to collaborate, share knowledge, and participate in collective efforts promoting social and solidarity economy.
✅ Are creative, determined, and ready for a new beginning.
✅ Appreciate nature and are willing to embrace the challenges and rewards of mountain life.
🔹 Professional agricultural experience is not required, but basic knowledge and hands-on skills are essential to ensure sustainability through a fair agri-food model.
🔹 Those with education or skills in agroecology, social economy, agritourism, or natural resource management will have additional growth opportunities within the initiative.
Selection Process
The selection process is open and collaborative, focusing on compatibility with the project, experience, and willingness to learn and integrate into the community.
🔹 Appication submission
Interested candidates must complete the application form, providing information about their profile, experience, and motivation.
🔹 Evaluation & First Contact
The High Mountains team will review applications and contact selected candidates for an initial discussion.
🔹 Visit to Demati & In-Person Meeting
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a visit to the village to see the infrastructure, meet the community, and discuss collaboration details.
🔹 Final Selection & Start of Collaboration
After the visit and discussions with the team, a final selection will be made, aiming for a sustainable, fair, and mutually beneficial collaboration.
About Demati
Το Demati a mountain village in Eastern Zagori, is nestled in the slopes of the northern Pindus range at 1,020 meters altitude. With southeast orientation, abundant sunshine, and a dry climate, the area is ideal for specific crops. Located opposite Mount Lakmos (Peristeri), the village is 37 km from Ioannina and 27 km from Metsovo, accessible via the Egnatia Highway.
The village has four permanent residents, excluding the members of the High Mountains, while most of the houses remain uninhabited, as their owners - mainly expatriates in America - return mainly during the summer months. Although basic services are located outside the village, access to them is easy: 9 km away, in Mpalduma, there is a petrol station and a mini-market, while in Miliotades (12 km) there is also a primary school, a mini-market and a petrol station. In Mikro Peristeri (17 km) there is a pharmacy and a petrol station, while in Metsovo (27 km) one can find all the basic services, such as a Health Centre, schools of all levels, a post office, a supermarket, a branch of the National Bank and various ATMs. In Chrysovitsa (14 km) there are also schools, while in Ioannina (30 km), the nearest big city, there are all state services, banks and two hospitals.
About The High Mountains
The High Mountains is a Social Cooperative Enterprise (SCE) based in East Zagori,founded in 2016 with a vision of revitalizing and sustaining mountain communities. Through infrastructure and services, we support those who live and produce in the highlands, local cultural associations, and mountain municipalities, as well as individuals seeking to build a new life in a remote area.
We operate based on the principles of Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE), focusing on decentralization, promoting local products, developing alternative tourism, and preserving cultural and environmental heritage. Our goal is to build thriving mountain communities based on cooperation and mutual support.
In Demati, alongside our organic greenhouses and farmland, we also manage the Old Primary School, which has been transformed into a collaborative workspace. This space serves as a hub for learning, networking, and community initiatives.
At the High Mountains "we create the world we want within the world we wish to overcome!”
Complete the application form here
