Community. Craft. Women. Hospitality.  

SOLM

Who We Are

SOLM was founded to create meaningful connections with the communities we call home. We believe in honoring local voices, traditions, and environments through collaborative initiatives that foster inclusion, conservation, and innovation.

It began with AURE, a vision for full-circle hospitality that quickly revealed a deeper opportunity—to support the very people and places that make these destinations extraordinary. In many tourism-driven regions, women play an essential yet often overlooked role in shaping industries and economies. However, systemic barriers limit their access to education, leadership, and entrepreneurial opportunities.

SOLM was created to bridge these gaps. By focusing on education, conservation, and creative innovation, we empower women and communities to take ownership of their futures while preserving the cultural and natural landscapes that define them.

  • Cabo Verde, a well positioned island state off the coast of Senegal, offers a unique opportunity to tackle these gaps and provide adaptive solutions. Cabo Verde is a volcanic archipelago housing diverse microclimates, wind powered cities, and a consistently growing tourism sector. SOLM is centered around three core pillars; inclusive education, conservation, and creative innovation to realize the power women and girls hold as stewards of their land and communities.

  • Education & Inclusion – Creating opportunities for women and girls through skill building,  mentorship, and access to essential resources, ensuring they play an active and influential role in the local and global economy.

    Conservation & Preservation – We champion sustainable practices, traditional crafts, and environmental stewardship to protect both cultural heritage and natural ecosystems.

    Creative Innovation – We act as a hub for innovation, collaborating with local talent on projects that range from climate-smart agriculture to artistic and design residencies.

  • SOLM takes a comprehensive approach to creating lasting impact, ensuring that women and communities have the resources, knowledge, and support needed to thrive. Our work is built on three key pillars:

    Create Access to Education & Opportunity – We provide skills training, leadership development, and entrepreneurial support to help women and communities thrive.

    Strengthen Local Economies – Our approach goes beyond training by addressing key barriers like healthcare, agricultural autonomy, and business incubators for long-term success.

    Preserve Culture & Environment – We blend traditional knowledge with modern solutions to protect local heritage, sustain natural landscapes, and create lasting economic impact.

  • The Studio – (2025) The Studio will serve as the creative and cultural heartbeat of SOLM. Designed by local leaders, it will be a space where art, education, and community well-being intersect—supporting everything from ceramics and culinary innovation to community gardens and health initiatives. We are currently undergoing a research based design process in Calhau, São Vicente to determine the final proposal for the program and physical space.

    The Farm & Lab – Will be a pioneering center for sustainable agriculture, conservation, and local cuisine. By bridging hospitality with regenerative land use, we aim to equip farmers—both large and small—with global best practices, strengthening Cabo Verde’s food sovereignty and reducing reliance on imports. A focus on seed banks and archives creates links between farming, preservation and tourism.

    Education – Formalizing educational programs to share the knowledge, research and experiences from our community-driven projects, with a focus on hospitality training and entrepreneurship for women.