Posaga ReSkilient
Posaga ReSkilient: how to reconvert the Public School into a Community Center / 3rd Space
This project is meant to salvage the Community's School (nowadays prone to closing down and ruin) by reconverting it (partially) into a Community Center or what we know as a 3rd Space.
The Community of Posaga- where also the School is situated - is faced with massive depopulation and economic disadvantage. Like many rural places in Romania, our Community is struggling to exist.
the School- as symbol of the future- needs our boost and can be set as future example for similar rural communities.
The Community of Posaga- where also the School is situated - is faced with massive depopulation and economic disadvantage. Like many rural places in Romania, our Community is struggling to exist.
the School- as symbol of the future- needs our boost and can be set as future example for similar rural communities.
Romania
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Prototype level
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
6468: Posaga (RO)
This project is meant to salvage the Community's School (nowadays prone to closing down and ruin) by reconverting it (partially) into a Community Center or what we know as a 3rd Space.
The Community of Posaga- where also the School is situated - is faced with massive depopulation and economic disadvantage. Like many rural places in Romania, our Community is struggling to exist.
The School- as a symbol of the future- needs our boost and can be set as future example for similar rural communities.
The target groups are all the school pupils, the teachers, the private sector (mainly NGOs but also small business people / farmers), the eldest (that can pass on knowledge to younger generations) and any member of the Community that shows interest in participating in social, cultural and educational events. This initiative is a collective effort and has the aim, through reconverting the School Building, to create a Community Building that will give the Community a new meaning and help it re-shape itself. Being situated in a remote rural area, the Community of Posaga has the advantage of good infrastructure (connected directly to an European Road), but also of a pristine nature. By having a Community Center it will give way for the Town Hall, the School, the internal and external private bodies to physically benefit from a venue that can serve the purpose of organizing indoor / outdoor events (workshops, trainings, festivals). Moreover, the more events, the more people from the Community involved on different levels and working together. For instance, for reconverting the School Yard, the permaculture designer will have to find practical solutions with the local craftsman that will create the gazebo (100% handmade and of natural materials). On a different level, the people in the Community will understand that regenerative, green solutions are beautiful and necessary (School Yard can be equipped with electric bikes/scooters and a small compost station will be installed).
The Community of Posaga- where also the School is situated - is faced with massive depopulation and economic disadvantage. Like many rural places in Romania, our Community is struggling to exist.
The School- as a symbol of the future- needs our boost and can be set as future example for similar rural communities.
The target groups are all the school pupils, the teachers, the private sector (mainly NGOs but also small business people / farmers), the eldest (that can pass on knowledge to younger generations) and any member of the Community that shows interest in participating in social, cultural and educational events. This initiative is a collective effort and has the aim, through reconverting the School Building, to create a Community Building that will give the Community a new meaning and help it re-shape itself. Being situated in a remote rural area, the Community of Posaga has the advantage of good infrastructure (connected directly to an European Road), but also of a pristine nature. By having a Community Center it will give way for the Town Hall, the School, the internal and external private bodies to physically benefit from a venue that can serve the purpose of organizing indoor / outdoor events (workshops, trainings, festivals). Moreover, the more events, the more people from the Community involved on different levels and working together. For instance, for reconverting the School Yard, the permaculture designer will have to find practical solutions with the local craftsman that will create the gazebo (100% handmade and of natural materials). On a different level, the people in the Community will understand that regenerative, green solutions are beautiful and necessary (School Yard can be equipped with electric bikes/scooters and a small compost station will be installed).
Innovation and creativity in education, training and youth
Bridging intercultural, intergenerational and social divide
Inclusion of marginalised young people
Preventing early school leaving and failure in education
Community development
The Town Hall of Posaga has the mission to start implementing green skills / solutions in the next years. For this, and through this application, the external collaborator (Ioana Joca-Pohl, project manager @ Dupa Gard) was outsourced to help research, implement and supervise the key practical objectives of sustainable solutions.
Dupa Gard is the main project of the local NGO <JJ Films & Culture> that is centered on workshops about
sustainable living, introductions to permaculture, immersion in the local crafts and traditions of the region and connection to nature for volunteers and other visitors (e.g. groups) of the project. In 2022, sustainable practices were introduced in the project's agenda. Permaculture is an integral part of this project, with the aim of giving young people an alternative future perspective with a more sustainable approach including off grid and self-sustainable living.
Environmental sustainability & responsibility should the core of everything we do- either individually or as a society. As the NEB Compass rightly puts it, Sustainability is achievable only through collective effort by many actors (plus the use of soft skills).
In this case, the Town Hall together with the School and Dupa Gard project will implement the following key objectives:
Waste management / Energy awareness / Local organic food / Water use / Village Cleanup / Sustainable gardening / Resilient design
These will be practically met not only by organizing workshops and other similar events (in the School, re: in the WORKROOM, see attached pic), but also by practically doing (for instance) a Village Cleanup: or a plastic / waste cleanup in the local community. Throwing trash out in the wild still is a bad practice present here, leading to clearly visible and disturbing waste accumulation in an otherwise beautiful and untouched wilderness- since Posaga lies next to a Natural Reservation. This contrast will highlight the necessity of reducing waste and recycling.
Dupa Gard is the main project of the local NGO <JJ Films & Culture> that is centered on workshops about
sustainable living, introductions to permaculture, immersion in the local crafts and traditions of the region and connection to nature for volunteers and other visitors (e.g. groups) of the project. In 2022, sustainable practices were introduced in the project's agenda. Permaculture is an integral part of this project, with the aim of giving young people an alternative future perspective with a more sustainable approach including off grid and self-sustainable living.
Environmental sustainability & responsibility should the core of everything we do- either individually or as a society. As the NEB Compass rightly puts it, Sustainability is achievable only through collective effort by many actors (plus the use of soft skills).
In this case, the Town Hall together with the School and Dupa Gard project will implement the following key objectives:
Waste management / Energy awareness / Local organic food / Water use / Village Cleanup / Sustainable gardening / Resilient design
These will be practically met not only by organizing workshops and other similar events (in the School, re: in the WORKROOM, see attached pic), but also by practically doing (for instance) a Village Cleanup: or a plastic / waste cleanup in the local community. Throwing trash out in the wild still is a bad practice present here, leading to clearly visible and disturbing waste accumulation in an otherwise beautiful and untouched wilderness- since Posaga lies next to a Natural Reservation. This contrast will highlight the necessity of reducing waste and recycling.
As mentioned, the Town Hall intends to collaborate with local NGO <JJ Films & Culture> in order to implement green solutions, but also innovation into the Community of Posaga. At the core of the NGO, the project Dupa Gard comes with permaculture design solutions in order to offer the Community not only aesthetically beautiful design, but also positive impact and cultural benefits.
Permaculture is based on 12 principles. These principles are a mixed of ethics with practical solutions for a society to benefit in order to care for itself, for Earth and for the future. Therefore:
Quality of experience for people is met thanks to:
1. DESIGN: principle 7 and `Design from patterns to details`. This means that, by stepping back, one can observe patterns in nature and society. These can form the backbone of the design > that will be organic, fluid and not impacting nature.
2. POSITIVE EMOTIONS: principle 12 and `Creatively use and response to change`. This means that one will use the example of transformative change in nature (such as the butterfly transformed from caterpillar in this beautiful insect) and `translate` it into positive emotions > such as the School Yard which is nowadays mostly concrete will transform into a small garden that will make people und that green solutions are possible and that they bring joy & satisfaction.
CULTURAL BENEFITS: permaculture was originally inspired by natives of the Rain Forest. Following the principles, we can also apply the benefits of integrating the traditional living of Posaga (going 2-3 generations behind) into the nowadays sustainable solutions. Therefore, the cultural (and traditional) past will bring back to life (for instance) the natural order of working the land (with cycles of Nature, and the rotating of the crops), the celebrating (using the School Yard again for festivities such as Spring / May Festival) and preparing food > local, home-grown and seasonal.
* local farmers will play a crucial role at this point.
Permaculture is based on 12 principles. These principles are a mixed of ethics with practical solutions for a society to benefit in order to care for itself, for Earth and for the future. Therefore:
Quality of experience for people is met thanks to:
1. DESIGN: principle 7 and `Design from patterns to details`. This means that, by stepping back, one can observe patterns in nature and society. These can form the backbone of the design > that will be organic, fluid and not impacting nature.
2. POSITIVE EMOTIONS: principle 12 and `Creatively use and response to change`. This means that one will use the example of transformative change in nature (such as the butterfly transformed from caterpillar in this beautiful insect) and `translate` it into positive emotions > such as the School Yard which is nowadays mostly concrete will transform into a small garden that will make people und that green solutions are possible and that they bring joy & satisfaction.
CULTURAL BENEFITS: permaculture was originally inspired by natives of the Rain Forest. Following the principles, we can also apply the benefits of integrating the traditional living of Posaga (going 2-3 generations behind) into the nowadays sustainable solutions. Therefore, the cultural (and traditional) past will bring back to life (for instance) the natural order of working the land (with cycles of Nature, and the rotating of the crops), the celebrating (using the School Yard again for festivities such as Spring / May Festival) and preparing food > local, home-grown and seasonal.
* local farmers will play a crucial role at this point.
It is our strong belief that INCLUSION should have two dimensions: VERTICAL & HORIZONTAL.
VERTICAL: the backbone of the Community of Posaga is formed by a strong public - private partnership. It is not possible to have a properly functional institution (i.e. Town Hall) without being in constant touch with the private society. In our case, this society is represented (mainly) by NGOs, prominent members of the Community (priest, teachers, etc) and small firms. In terms of accessibility, the private sector is called upon to a dialogue which can take the practical form of discussions, presentations and follow-ups. An open, transparent agenda of the Town Hall can help and will be a crucial point in the next years. The School (as venue) is the symbol of the <open gate> to this dialogue and can help any to afford to participate by offering all the practical tools for it (again, the work-room and its tools, such as e.g. the projector)
HORIZONTAL: are the locals. It is essential that ALL have a voice and so an intergenerational dialogue must be built. Also. in order to be accessible and affordable, practical means should be implemented. The community of Posaga is faced with economical, geographical and cultural challenges. By using (for example) the school EVENTROOM, any local can actively be involved. We are thinking, among others, to involve the eldest who still have the practical knowledge of how BREAD was done in the traditional way (using wild yeast to be re-used on a weekly basis). Local initiatives should be encouraged to re-exist to make Posaga resilient to new challenges > such as having its own bread versus buying it from neighbouring villages. This initiative, exemplary for surrounding Communities, will also help bridge the dialogue between the old and the young > eager to learn new things that otherwise will be left forgotten.
IF this is successful, Posaga will slowly be able to implement the evolutionary model but also the one of equilibrium vs. conflict.
VERTICAL: the backbone of the Community of Posaga is formed by a strong public - private partnership. It is not possible to have a properly functional institution (i.e. Town Hall) without being in constant touch with the private society. In our case, this society is represented (mainly) by NGOs, prominent members of the Community (priest, teachers, etc) and small firms. In terms of accessibility, the private sector is called upon to a dialogue which can take the practical form of discussions, presentations and follow-ups. An open, transparent agenda of the Town Hall can help and will be a crucial point in the next years. The School (as venue) is the symbol of the <open gate> to this dialogue and can help any to afford to participate by offering all the practical tools for it (again, the work-room and its tools, such as e.g. the projector)
HORIZONTAL: are the locals. It is essential that ALL have a voice and so an intergenerational dialogue must be built. Also. in order to be accessible and affordable, practical means should be implemented. The community of Posaga is faced with economical, geographical and cultural challenges. By using (for example) the school EVENTROOM, any local can actively be involved. We are thinking, among others, to involve the eldest who still have the practical knowledge of how BREAD was done in the traditional way (using wild yeast to be re-used on a weekly basis). Local initiatives should be encouraged to re-exist to make Posaga resilient to new challenges > such as having its own bread versus buying it from neighbouring villages. This initiative, exemplary for surrounding Communities, will also help bridge the dialogue between the old and the young > eager to learn new things that otherwise will be left forgotten.
IF this is successful, Posaga will slowly be able to implement the evolutionary model but also the one of equilibrium vs. conflict.
A long time, the Community of Posaga has been left unattended to. This is mostly due to the fact that it is secluded from the rest of the world - but also to the lack of will and practical measures issued by Town Hall.
Starting with last year, administration change and with it a door to communication and practical measures has opened.
Bear in mind that Posaga is a spread-out village community and that its inhabitants are less than a 1000 - from which a lot of them are elderly (65+ years old). The School still functions, but the classes 1-4 only encompass 10 children (age range between 6 and 10 years old). The local initiatives have been few and rarely encouraged > such the initiative of having a folklore museum of all the artefacts collected over the years.
As stated, starting last year the administration changed. The new one has a strong focus on building a Community spirit, open dialogue and to consolidate public-private partnerships. The new administration realised that, without togetherness, the process of going forward will not be possible. Moreover, the private sector which has been ignored, is now strongly taken into consideration - e.g. the support offered in 2024 to all private initiatives that wanted to use the School as venue for the little events they organize. Moreover, the attached local development plan was designed & developed after the Town Hall called to an open dialogue all the prominent figures that can help shape the face of the Community in a together and beautiful way. As the meetings of the Local Council are public, other members of the Community had the initiative to participate knowing that their voices will be heard by the new administration.
Last, but not least, a new point on the agenda was pinpointed: sustainable practices. As the Summers become hotter, the water management of the village has to be redesigned in a green manner. The farmers have to be involved in a common dialogue not only with Town Hall,but with civil society too.
Starting with last year, administration change and with it a door to communication and practical measures has opened.
Bear in mind that Posaga is a spread-out village community and that its inhabitants are less than a 1000 - from which a lot of them are elderly (65+ years old). The School still functions, but the classes 1-4 only encompass 10 children (age range between 6 and 10 years old). The local initiatives have been few and rarely encouraged > such the initiative of having a folklore museum of all the artefacts collected over the years.
As stated, starting last year the administration changed. The new one has a strong focus on building a Community spirit, open dialogue and to consolidate public-private partnerships. The new administration realised that, without togetherness, the process of going forward will not be possible. Moreover, the private sector which has been ignored, is now strongly taken into consideration - e.g. the support offered in 2024 to all private initiatives that wanted to use the School as venue for the little events they organize. Moreover, the attached local development plan was designed & developed after the Town Hall called to an open dialogue all the prominent figures that can help shape the face of the Community in a together and beautiful way. As the meetings of the Local Council are public, other members of the Community had the initiative to participate knowing that their voices will be heard by the new administration.
Last, but not least, a new point on the agenda was pinpointed: sustainable practices. As the Summers become hotter, the water management of the village has to be redesigned in a green manner. The farmers have to be involved in a common dialogue not only with Town Hall,but with civil society too.
LOCAL: the most important component are the locals. Every representative of the public bodies (such as School or Town Hall) are, at the end of the day, members of the Community of Posaga, mere citizens. They are also the people other locals turn to in case of personal problems. The organic societal growth cannot be possible without the inter-personal dialogue - as every personal problem can impact the natural development of the whole. This is why, the local stakeholders have to be the primal actors in the change (also) this project tries to implement. These actors need to create a network of transparent communication and trust. By being in constant contact with the various structures of the Community - and their needs and expectations- they can build further than the village.
Therefore, the local development plan has to take shape - and a part of it can be helped by implementing constant cultural and social projects (such as trainings for local farmers or non formal education workshops for the youth).
IF they work on a local level, they can be disseminated also on a regional and even national/EU level. The proposed project can be exemplary on different levels that can serve the multitude of similar communities faced with depopulation and economical challenges:
-Regional Collaborations: partnerships strengthened among regional partners during project implementation can lead to further initiatives, sharing of resources, and the development of regional networks.
-Regional Identity: successful projects at the regional level can foster a sense of regional identity. Therefore, the Town of Posaga may become an ambassador for their region, promoting its unique cultural and social attributes
-Reporting on the project: by media coverage in regional media outlets (mostly online,but also in print media or/and television) we hope to spread awareness on the issues raised in the project, and get the regional actor’s attention to open them up for possible future cooperation.
Therefore, the local development plan has to take shape - and a part of it can be helped by implementing constant cultural and social projects (such as trainings for local farmers or non formal education workshops for the youth).
IF they work on a local level, they can be disseminated also on a regional and even national/EU level. The proposed project can be exemplary on different levels that can serve the multitude of similar communities faced with depopulation and economical challenges:
-Regional Collaborations: partnerships strengthened among regional partners during project implementation can lead to further initiatives, sharing of resources, and the development of regional networks.
-Regional Identity: successful projects at the regional level can foster a sense of regional identity. Therefore, the Town of Posaga may become an ambassador for their region, promoting its unique cultural and social attributes
-Reporting on the project: by media coverage in regional media outlets (mostly online,but also in print media or/and television) we hope to spread awareness on the issues raised in the project, and get the regional actor’s attention to open them up for possible future cooperation.
PERMACULTURE: as mentioned before, the Town Hall intends to use the know-how and practical experience of the project DUPA GARD. With a more than 3 years experience, the success of applying the 12 principles of organic design and sustainable practices to the School becoming a 3rd space is guaranteed.
LOCAL CRAFTS: the whole region where the Community is situated is known for its working with wood craftsmanship. In time, some of the skills are left forgotten. However, the few talented craftsmen are ready to use their skills in carving, constructing and reshaping the inner/outer part of the School
NON FORMAL EDUCATION: the School will use its knowledge and the reshaped rooms in order to facilitate the access of the children (local, then regional and national) to skills, learning methods and principles that go beyond conventional methods of learning. It will also try to digitize partially the methods of applying in order to obtain the funding for non-formal education workshops (such as Erasmus+)
ART RESIDENCY: through the help and efforts of local NGOs, it is the intention to create future art residencies for international artists that can reshape the cultural and artistic face of the Community. Especially using the Event Room- where creativity can take many shapes.
VOLUNTEERING (utilized as service learning program but also as skill-based): throughout the year, the NGO <JJ Films & Culture> has up to 10 international volunteers. They come because they want to learn about sustainable living, resilient solutions to actual climate problems BUT also what it means to live in a small, enclosed village community. Using their knowledge (most of them are students from disciples that resonate with naturalistic studies), they can apply it to help implement this project.
LOCAL cooks / farmers: the work of implementing <ReSkilient`> could not be possible without the fresh local products (from farmers) and transforming them into food for the actors involved in the work
LOCAL CRAFTS: the whole region where the Community is situated is known for its working with wood craftsmanship. In time, some of the skills are left forgotten. However, the few talented craftsmen are ready to use their skills in carving, constructing and reshaping the inner/outer part of the School
NON FORMAL EDUCATION: the School will use its knowledge and the reshaped rooms in order to facilitate the access of the children (local, then regional and national) to skills, learning methods and principles that go beyond conventional methods of learning. It will also try to digitize partially the methods of applying in order to obtain the funding for non-formal education workshops (such as Erasmus+)
ART RESIDENCY: through the help and efforts of local NGOs, it is the intention to create future art residencies for international artists that can reshape the cultural and artistic face of the Community. Especially using the Event Room- where creativity can take many shapes.
VOLUNTEERING (utilized as service learning program but also as skill-based): throughout the year, the NGO <JJ Films & Culture> has up to 10 international volunteers. They come because they want to learn about sustainable living, resilient solutions to actual climate problems BUT also what it means to live in a small, enclosed village community. Using their knowledge (most of them are students from disciples that resonate with naturalistic studies), they can apply it to help implement this project.
LOCAL cooks / farmers: the work of implementing <ReSkilient`> could not be possible without the fresh local products (from farmers) and transforming them into food for the actors involved in the work
Ideally, the Community of Posaga wants to be one of the regional pioneers in becoming a TRANSITION VILLAGE (concept adapted from the one named TRANSITION TOWN).
More than ever, this transition from the old (and environmental damaging) to the innovative practices has to have a structure and a timeline. It has to bear in mind that the old (polluting, over use of natural resources, lack of local food producing capacity etc) can only becoming new by offering solutions that can be implemented in a realistic way. For instance, in the attached plan of renovating the School Building, solar panels are offered as a green solution. Also, we want to make locals aware of the use of compost (many times wasted as being burnt) or of electrical bikes > therefore the proposed stations to be placed in the School Yard as an example and for practical use.
By making people aware that it is possible to use less to achieve more we also propose to partially digitize (as much as the money allows it) the WORKroom so that as little as possible paper or other single use resources are used. Solar lights and recycled rain water can be used in the School Yard (for the garden and around) to demonstrate that it is not needed to use conventional resources for everything.
Other green solutions could be: self-sufficiency in growing own food (especially grains), creating a local market for goods sharing (barter system), a local plant nursery (where old species can be offered opposed to new hybrid ones) that could include a plant-seed bank - useful for locals, but also for visitors and regional communities that no longer have them, waste & recycling station for all the garbage people no longer need but don`t know how to dispose of (for example, large plastic containers, old broken tools etc).
More than ever, this transition from the old (and environmental damaging) to the innovative practices has to have a structure and a timeline. It has to bear in mind that the old (polluting, over use of natural resources, lack of local food producing capacity etc) can only becoming new by offering solutions that can be implemented in a realistic way. For instance, in the attached plan of renovating the School Building, solar panels are offered as a green solution. Also, we want to make locals aware of the use of compost (many times wasted as being burnt) or of electrical bikes > therefore the proposed stations to be placed in the School Yard as an example and for practical use.
By making people aware that it is possible to use less to achieve more we also propose to partially digitize (as much as the money allows it) the WORKroom so that as little as possible paper or other single use resources are used. Solar lights and recycled rain water can be used in the School Yard (for the garden and around) to demonstrate that it is not needed to use conventional resources for everything.
Other green solutions could be: self-sufficiency in growing own food (especially grains), creating a local market for goods sharing (barter system), a local plant nursery (where old species can be offered opposed to new hybrid ones) that could include a plant-seed bank - useful for locals, but also for visitors and regional communities that no longer have them, waste & recycling station for all the garbage people no longer need but don`t know how to dispose of (for example, large plastic containers, old broken tools etc).
Both the methodology and approach have to be adapted to the current state of development of the Community of Posaga. Given the fact that little has been done and the population is rapidly decreasing, we think that the best methodology that can be used (at least) in the next 2-3 years can be:
COOPERATIVE learning or stronger together. The Community has to learn (again) what it means to be one. In the past, most of the important tasks / choirs were done as a whole so that people could be efficient but also socially connected. This spirit was broken by Communism and nowadays the society is still striving to regain the community spirit. Using the School as a Community Center is a vital step towards this goal
INQUIRY-based methodology: this will be centered on the locals involved and their active role in re-shaping the Community by taking parts at debates, discussions are regular meetings (could also be considered an approach to learning - by- doing and learning from past mistakes)
I guess we can say that all the approaches can be used- from which the kinesthetic one (learning through doing and experiencing) will be the most used one.
COOPERATIVE learning or stronger together. The Community has to learn (again) what it means to be one. In the past, most of the important tasks / choirs were done as a whole so that people could be efficient but also socially connected. This spirit was broken by Communism and nowadays the society is still striving to regain the community spirit. Using the School as a Community Center is a vital step towards this goal
INQUIRY-based methodology: this will be centered on the locals involved and their active role in re-shaping the Community by taking parts at debates, discussions are regular meetings (could also be considered an approach to learning - by- doing and learning from past mistakes)
I guess we can say that all the approaches can be used- from which the kinesthetic one (learning through doing and experiencing) will be the most used one.
A good planning, but also a very good project management (IF the prize is won) are the key for making this project an example. Apart from the methodology and learnings, <Posaga ReSkilient> wants to demonstrate that change is possible in order to be able to face the challenges of a climate change future, but also to find new purpose to vital buildings (such as the School) that once used to be essential in a village life.
Therefore, the elements to be replicated / transferred are:
- green skills / methodology
- social cohesion
- digitalization
- inclusive participation (both vertical and horizontal)
- increasing the quality of learning and teaching through non-formal education methods
- interregional cooperation by having regional actors present while implementing the project
- community development and preserving cultural heritage
Therefore, the elements to be replicated / transferred are:
- green skills / methodology
- social cohesion
- digitalization
- inclusive participation (both vertical and horizontal)
- increasing the quality of learning and teaching through non-formal education methods
- interregional cooperation by having regional actors present while implementing the project
- community development and preserving cultural heritage
Every problem has a solution. The key is to be able to adapt the solution to the current problems and not use methods that are not only old, but also not applicable on a large scale. Many times, people (including the locals of Posaga) think that their actions do not impact the rest of the world, that it is only restricted to their own environment. Only by making people understand that they live in a global, not segregated world can a society move forwards. This is why it is crucial that our project can be disseminated and implemented on a large scale (ideally at least national level). This can be possible if people decide that they have to work together as a whole, that the problem must adapt to fight the climate change and all the environment challenges. And once again, the Community Center (in our case the School) is a vital element where people can meet, discuss, communicate and take reasonable solutions that can be applied in the next 5-10 years without impacting the surroundings. Education - be it formal or not - is vital and it has to be possible that the solutions offered here can be adapted and implemented by ANY similar community (at least) in Romania. Resilience to change does not mean fighting it, but finding new solutions to old problems. As the NEB guide writes, these solutions have to be beautiful (to help people evolve emotionally and spiritually), together (as we are stronger as a group as individuals) and innovative (as times changed, problems become complex and more challenging).
Some of the activities planned are meant to continue the ones that have already been initiated in the last 2 years. These are:
- the Christmas market for the children of Posaga
- the Autumn (Crop) Festival
- workshops about sustainable living, permaculture, living outside populous areas
- local festival dedicated to Community Building, Crafts and living in harmony with nature (Permaculture Campfire)
Future planned activities:
- Summer Camp for Pathfinders (using the School as a meeting and learning base)
- Local Farmers` Market
- workshops on preserving and reintroducing local methods of producing bread and other hand-made food products
- Summer Camp for the National Astronomy Foundation: the Community of Posaga has one of the least light-polluted sky in Romania. By initiating this project, the locals and the participants can learn about the necessity of protecting the environment and therefore be able to disseminate the outcomes.
The values and principles of NEB are reflected in each step of implementing and caring for this project. Through collective work, the community can design and produce a `product` that can be replicated and therefore can demonstrate that collective work can be beautiful and innovative. This prize is an UNIQUE chance given to a place that is trying to stay afloat and preserve its heritage and dignity. Isolation and lack of constructive input have left a mark on the village as it did not function respecting the simple rules of what makes people be a COMMUNITY. New learning skills are in fact old ones reinterpreted and must be assimilated just like a child learns to walk - with the help of a family that is in this case the Community where each individual can lean on and grow together.
- the Christmas market for the children of Posaga
- the Autumn (Crop) Festival
- workshops about sustainable living, permaculture, living outside populous areas
- local festival dedicated to Community Building, Crafts and living in harmony with nature (Permaculture Campfire)
Future planned activities:
- Summer Camp for Pathfinders (using the School as a meeting and learning base)
- Local Farmers` Market
- workshops on preserving and reintroducing local methods of producing bread and other hand-made food products
- Summer Camp for the National Astronomy Foundation: the Community of Posaga has one of the least light-polluted sky in Romania. By initiating this project, the locals and the participants can learn about the necessity of protecting the environment and therefore be able to disseminate the outcomes.
The values and principles of NEB are reflected in each step of implementing and caring for this project. Through collective work, the community can design and produce a `product` that can be replicated and therefore can demonstrate that collective work can be beautiful and innovative. This prize is an UNIQUE chance given to a place that is trying to stay afloat and preserve its heritage and dignity. Isolation and lack of constructive input have left a mark on the village as it did not function respecting the simple rules of what makes people be a COMMUNITY. New learning skills are in fact old ones reinterpreted and must be assimilated just like a child learns to walk - with the help of a family that is in this case the Community where each individual can lean on and grow together.
