Our world is facing some tough challenges—think sustainable economy, food security, and climate change—making life a bit tricky. We believe the fix isn’t just about fancy tech; it’s about people power! We’re all about local action, shifting from being big-time consumers to self-sufficient champs and setting up resilient communities for tomorrow’s heroes. We’re are teaming up to tackle these issues head-on. Using Permaculture and other fun learning methods, our Foundations project dives into making our world better, one step at a time. This project’s all about sharing tips for sustainable living, especially for NGOs and anyone keen on making a positive impact.
To train and develop skills in the Consortium workers for them to be able to replicate the know-how and skills acquired in other places/ communities – Certify all of them with the PDC
To create project outputs (educational platform, toolkit, website) that can be used as groundwork for later stages of the work developed by the Consortium – to serve as Foundation for other add ons
To give recognition to the work and strategy being developed by these 3 entities, allying non-formal education (Erasmus+ and other EU funding) vs Ecology/Permaculture/ regeneration movement.
Created in 2016 with the main goal of learning and spreading knowledge on Arts and Sustainability, Associação Quinta das Relvas develops non-formal education activities such as workshops, exchanges, conferences, artistic residencies, and trainings for a local, national and international audience giving priority to youngsters still studying or in the beginning of their careers as well as youngsters somehow with less opportunities. At the moment they are trying to develop field actions not only to increase their farm resilience but also their own community, by supporting key youngsters to develop their projects inside the farm ecosystem.
Associazione Kora was founded in 2015 in Passignano sul Trasimeno, in the region of Umbria, to promote sustainable ways of living and social inclusion among young people.
Kora is cooperating side by side with “La Buona Terra”, an educational farm located on the hills above the town of Passignano sul Trasimeno. At the farm, Kora manages several types of projects, hosts volunteers and helps to involve local and international youngsters in educational paths. The activities that Kora organises are: Long and short term volunteering periods in Italy and abroad.
Perma Haloș is located in the remote area of Manastirea Casin commune, by the river Haloș, surrounded by hills and forests, is giving space for the young people to develop and implement activities linked to environmental awareness, Agro-ecology , Permaculture, crafting, and personal development. The philosophy of the place is directly linked to permaculture principles and ethics and serves as an ever-growing socio-cultural and educational centre since 2020, home of more than 20 international and volunteering projects, camps and artist residences.
Established in 1998 by André Soares and Lucy Legan, Ecocentro IPEC stands as a crucial hub for sustainable practices in Pirenópolis, Brazil. Stemming from Soares’ influential exposure to Permaculture Design alongside Bill Mollison, the center embodies core permaculture and eco-construction principles.
Built through collaborative endeavors, Ecocentro IPEC features an integrated infrastructure, showcasing ecological housing, responsible sanitation, and innovative renewable energy solutions. Its global impact reshapes events like the Boom Festival, demonstrating sustainability in action.
Beyond its physical presence, the center offers immersive learning experiences, equipping individuals with permaculture design tools for sustainable living. This transformative approach resonates locally and globally, fueling the global movement towards conscious coexistence with nature.
a distinguished environmental educator and gardener, has been making waves in the field of sustainability for years. As a co-founder of Ecocentro IPEC in Brazil, she has dedicated her life to fostering a community that champions ecological awareness, sustainable living, and innovative education. Lucy’s passion for nurturing the Earth is evident in her best-selling book, Planet Schooling – How to create a permaculture living laboratory in your backyard, an invaluable resource for families seeking practical and engaging ways to integrate environmentalism into their daily lives. With her profound expertise and storytelling, Lucy is an esteemed presenter, captivating international environmentalists with her unwavering commitment to a greener tomorrow.
is a seasoned Permaculture Designer and teacher, boasting an impressive 28 years of international courses with projects on four continents. As a co-founder of Ecocentro IPEC in Brazil, he has played a pivotal role in creating an environmentally conscious hub for education, research, and community development in Latin America. His passion for establishing sustainable living models extended to his position as the Sustainability Director of the renowned Boom Festival in Portugal from 2005 to 2016, where he spearheaded eco-friendly initiatives and fostered a culture of environmental stewardship that impacted audiences from 70 countries. Andre’s dedication to permaculture has transformed how people interact with their surroundings and inspired countless individuals to embrace a more sustainable future.
driven by a lifelong curiosity about our world, combines urban and rural experiences from childhood. Since encountering Permaculture in 2006, he’s spent 16 years deepening knowledge and implementing projects centered on nature-based solutions, ecology, and systems thinking. A Biology graduate and Master in Ecology and Environmental Management, Tiago has multifaceted expertise, including roles in Environmental Education, university teaching, farm management, consultancy, and co-founding NGOs. His impact extends to over 30 PDCs and numerous workshops, lectures, and meetings, shaping his discourse around ecology and permaculture.
co-founder of Quinta das Relvas and the coordinator and trainer of Foundations. Since 2007, he’s been actively involved in Erasmus+ programs. In 2016, António co-founded Quinta das Relvas as an educational space, inspired during his last Permaculture Design Course with the Global Ecovillage Network. With a passion for bio-construction and sustainable development, António has dedicated nearly a decade to this vision. His commitment extends to turning Quinta das Relvas into a global model for sustainability. The Foundations project is a tangible manifestation of his dedication, contributing to a more sustainable future through real-life initiatives.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
