Association of Nurturing the Earth and Spirit

The Association Nurturing of the Earth and the Spirit was established through the youth initiative "Permaculture in the Countryside and in the City" in 2014). Like the name explains, the main object of the association is fostering the care for Earth (practical and theoretical), as well as cultivating the human spirit. It is intended to promote the holistic personal and social development of children, young people and adults as well as sustainable development. The association operates in various educational centers in nature and carries out activities throughout Slovenia, but mostly on a permacultural family farm Domačija Mokovec. The vision of the association is the revival of abandoned farms and the introduction of content in them that brings benefits to society, the individual and nature. In the last two years. The vision and dream is to create a supportive environment for learning and spreading sustainable living, sustainable lifestyle and development (personal, social and in relation to nature), learning permaculture as an integrated planning of different ecosystems, spreading knowledge about natural building, establishing integrated pedagogy, experiential learning of children and young people. We operate on the principle of empowerment and inclusion of each individual (including the socially and economically vulnerable), the promotion of inter-generational socializing and non-formal learning among young people and the elderly in the local community. The association operates primarily through non-formal education of children, youth and adults. We carry out adventure pedagogical activities according to the principles of experiential learning for children and young people, such as: permaculture and experientialpedagogical holidays for children and young people; youth exchanges; labor camps; creative experiential workshops; various workshops and training's. We also provide training in new approaches and methods of eco-communities - such as The Hero's Journey, Dragon's Dream - and other workshops and training's aimed at selfknowledge and psycho-social development. Lately we are focused on deepening our knowledge an practice about holistic well-being of people in connection with nature and other approaches. We also organize workshops for the development of creative, artistic and social skills (for example, drumming and music workshops, art workshops, dance and theater). In addition, we are practically and theoretically engaged in research and education in the areas of sustainable living and sustainable living in relation to nature and fellow human beings (helping in organizing permacultural design course (PDC), planning sustainable natural and social ecosystems, sharing our knowledge through FB. organizing seed exchange, ect.). The members of the association are experienced in the fields of youth work, social pedagogy, permaculture, education, moderation and coaching, art, natural building and more. Our vision is to offer a variety of quality education and process experiential learning, even to people who do not normally receive it, due to economic, institutional, personal, social, or other constraints. In addition, we also provide visits, occupational therapy, as well as longer stays in our centers, even for the socially and psychologically disadvantaged. This departure from everyday life and the supportive environment of nature and the supportive community empower individuals. We also host and mentor Slovenian and international volunteers. ur activities we work closely and develop projects with many related organizations (Permacultural association of Slovenia, Cirkokrog – association for circus pedagogy, Farm Veles, Farm Sobivanje ob gozdu, Sunny hill, and other similar associations) and public institutions.