ASSOCIACAO QUINTA DAS RELVAS

Associação Quinta das Relvas is an organization located at a farm with an amazing natural heritage, where a group of youngsters work to promote and develop actions involving thematics such as environmental problems, sustainability, permaculture, visual & performative arts. We organize several activities for youngsters like: -Bio-construction workshops (bio-design and eco-friendly/natural resources' construction techniques); -Permaculture workshops (veggie gardens, making compost, permaculture design, gray water, alternative power sources, animals in permaculture); -Performative Art workshops and presentations (juggling, street theatre, clowning); -Visual Arts workshops and exhibitions (painting, drawing, sculpture, installation, land Art); - Artistic residences; -Artistic seminars; -Communication workshops (design, adobe programs, video, photography, social media). We work with two different target groups: on a local level we are working with youngsters from 18 till 25 years old with the background of dropping out of school, not continue to higher education due lack of economic support and/or with tendency of living the countryside (where we are based at) to look for better life conditions on big cities; on a national level we are working with youngsters with ages between 25 to 30 years old and that are interested in the thematics we work on, collaborating with us as participants, trainees or volunteers. We work with youngsters from different ethnic groups, origins and religions (gypsies, refugees, Muslims among others) giving them space to find their own way to tolerance and brotherhood. We also worry on including the local community in every activity we have: since this is an older and rural community we see ourselves as an opportunity for this people to connect with others from different backgrounds slowing giving locals an opportunity to open their minds to different cultures creating a bridge between them and the countryside reality. It is also our goal to educate youth to be more active on their own local communities, besides being more eco-friendly, creative and to live healthier lifestyles. Working within these frameworks Associação Quinta das Relvas is able to educate youngsters using non-formal tools at the same time that both target groups recognize rural areas and their potential. The organization members work and are graduated in different fields like teaching, painting, acting, architecture and event management always looking to connect all this areas as much as they can!