Simen Demen

Simen Demen is a non-profit association based in Martinique whose mission is to promote an ethic of care for oneself, for others, for the Earth and for the fair sharing of resources. The association works at the intersection of social inclusion, ecological transition, personal empowerment and community resilience, supporting pathways toward more coherent, just and life-affirming ways of living. At the heart of Simen Demen’s approach lies the conviction that individual well-being, collective health and environmental sustainability are deeply interconnected. The organisation promotes values such as freedom of being and movement, personal sovereignty in life choices, responsibility for one’s actions and emotions, empathy, tolerance, solidarity, and respect for all forms of life. Diversity is seen as a fundamental resource for social harmony and collective intelligence. Simen Demen contributes actively to the life and development of Les Jardins de Macabou, a permaculture farm and eco-site that serves as a living laboratory for resilience and congruence between values, practices and daily life. Through its involvement in this place, the association supports food sovereignty, regenerative agriculture, ecological restoration, and the creation of spaces where humans can reconnect with land, community and living systems. The site also functions as a hosting and learning environment for educational, cultural and social initiatives. The association develops and facilitates a wide range of activities, including non-formal education, training courses, collective work camps, workshops, and community events. These activities address themes such as ecological awareness, emotional and mental health, non-violent communication, deconstruction of domination systems, empowerment of marginalized or vulnerable groups, transmission of ancestral and contemporary knowledge, and experimentation with alternative ways of living together. Simen Demen places strong emphasis on knowledge sharing and transmission, both through hands-on practice and experiential learning. It creates spaces that encourage self-expression, creativity, artistic exploration and collective reflection, while fostering responsibility and active participation. The organisation regularly works with diverse audiences, including young people, youth workers, families, individuals in vulnerable situations and community actors. Through its actions, Simen Demen aims to contribute to the emergence of caring, resilient and inclusive communities, capable of responding creatively and compassionately to contemporary social and ecological challenges. The association’s experience in hosting and facilitating transformative learning processes in a natural, community-based setting makes it a relevant and committed partner for Erasmus+ Youth projects focused on empowerment, ecological transition and social cohesion.