This paper aims to understand an emergent social practice of solidarity, that of voluntary shadow education ('social frontistiria'), in its socio-economic context. Perceiving the welfare state as the institutionalized form of solidarity, this paper attempts to analyze its specific nature and the process of political legitimisation stemming from enduring features of the Greek political culture. It is argued that the traditionally established practices are deconstructed in the face of the economic crisis. In the context of recession, new forms of solidarity emerge which transcend the enduring individualistic element of Greek society, based on social activism and volunteerism. While institutional solidarity is insufficient and traditional solidarity faints, civil society apparently emerges, introducing new social practices of solidarity. This paper shows, that the crisis, alongside its dismantling effects, may have some creative effect towards the development of new solidarities, new spaces of hybrid social practices. [Written with the assistance of Asimina Kolofousi.]