Category: Education

A New Path to Lasting Impact: Strengthening Small Regenerative Organizations

Why a New Path Is Urgently Needed

In today’s increasingly self-centered and fragmented world, regenerative organizations offer a powerful response to the climate crisis, rural youth exodus, and growing social inequality. Despite macroeconomic improvements, many young adults in urban areas still face high unemployment and informal jobs, with few real opportunities for personal and professional growth.

According to the Conexão Escola portal, Brazil’s urbanization process is closely tied to population density and has led to a significant rural exodus. From 2010 to 2022, Brazil’s rural population declined from 15.6% to 12.6%, while the urban population rose from 84.4% to 87.4%. This trend illustrates not only a territorial shift, but also the forced displacement of rural communities due to lack of opportunities, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen regenerative organizations in rural areas.

This is where Eco Caminhos and the Ecolibrium Association step in. Based in Nova Friburgo, Brazil, they are pioneering a model that harmoniously integrates ecological, social, and commercial dimensions—proving that it is possible to regenerate the land while also empowering people and building financially sustainable systems.

(more…)

Tuesday April 29th, 2025
ECOLIBRIUM: Bioconstructing the Future

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The Ecolibrium Space

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The Ecolibrium Association is a non-profit organization that aims to promote a resilient ecosystem, establishing conscious relationships between agriculture, community, and nature, using permaculture as a tool and values of respect, equality, and collaboration.

With this, we bring to life this space also called Ecolibrium, which will expand the work already developed by Eco Caminhos, sharing our knowledge of agroforestry and natural building with even more people. Through a broader and more inclusive educational program, we will empower our audience with theoretical knowledge in this space and continue to put skills into practice on our farm. Additionally, we will also seek financial autonomy through ecotourism, organizing courses and events, and selling the products we cultivate.

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The Architectural Project

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The architectural project, developed by Mexican architect Pedro Pizarro Villalobos, was designed to host volunteers, students, and tourists, and to connect institutions, farmers, and local builders.

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The building is a large circle and will include collective accommodations, among them dormitories and suites, kitchen, laundry, and bathrooms, as well as a workshop and a multifunctional area for activities, administrative office, and a restaurant with a view of the valley open to the general public, all connected by a large central courtyard.

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Construction Phases and Strategies

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The project is divided into three phases, and we are currently in the first. It is in this phase that most of the collective use accommodations are taking shape, such as the kitchen, laundry, two bathrooms, five rooms, and two of the eight suites.

The main technique used here, as in all our constructions, is cob, also known as adobe, in this case, in solid walls over 40 cm thick, ensuring thermal and acoustic comfort and fulfilling its structural function to support the green roof. As the base of this wall, we use stones, one part below the ground for the foundation, along with a thick layer of gravel and piping for drainage in this area, and another part above, serving to protect the walls from ground moisture and rain since the eaves are not very extensive.

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Taking advantage of the steep slope of the land, the second phase will be a floor below phases one and three, which we consider the ground floor. For this, a retaining wall will need to be built, along with a structure with pillars that will support the third phase. In this case, the walls will be only partitions, which can be thinner and consequently require less material, speeding up the process. Thus, we opted for the so-called wattle and daub technique, using a lattice of wood and bamboo, later covered with cob.

In the second stage, the executive and educational sector predominates, where the administrative office, workshop, and multifunctional space will be located.

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The third phase will be built on top of the second phase, completing the ground floor circle and creating a large internal courtyard. At the front of the building, a wooden deck extends towards the valley. This phase will include the entire structure of the restaurant, which is still under development, and the other suites.

In this case, the chosen technique was also rammed earth, due to its lighter weight, which demands less from the underlying structure. For the coverage of the entire set, a green roof was planned, as it not only uses natural raw materials, prevents heat transfer to the surroundings, keeps the internal temperature pleasant, but also looks aesthetically amazing and maintains the characteristic of the buildings on the farm.

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First Phase – Construction Stages

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Executed Stages:

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1.FOUNDATION: consisting of a high layer of gravel approximately 1 meter thick, with a drainage system and covered by large stones bonded with concrete;

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2. WALLS – BASE: a stone wall approximately 40cm wide and 60cm high, elevating the earth wall from the ground and where wooden posts were fixed to support the walls; in this stage, we also left the hydraulic connections;

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3. WALLS – COB: we obtained cob through a mixture of earth, sand, grass, and water, and it is essentially the core of the construction. We lay layers of 40cm width and structure the walls. For each layer of approximately 30cm height, we place bamboo slats across the posts to ensure more resistance to possible movements. At this stage, we also install conduits for electrical wiring;

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4. LINTELS – for the door and window openings, we used planks from railway sleepers, which are repurposed and very durable. These will later be used to install the frames and also act as lintels. After installing them, we continue to raise the walls;

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Stage in progress:

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5. WOODEN “RING”: when we reach a wall height of 2.50 meters, we place wooden beams over them, fitting them in and creating a kind of belt around the structure. After this, we continue with cob in a diagonal to create the roof slope;

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Next Stages:

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6. BEAMS AND PURLINS: we will place wooden beams perpendicularly to the walls to support the roof, and over them, the purlins;

7. CEILING COVERING: the purlins will receive wooden boards that make up the ceiling and will later receive the green roof;

8. GREEN ROOF: consists of a waterproofing system, a drainage system, and a substrate where plant species will be planted. We decided to cover this part of the work before finishing the veranda side because we are entering the rainy season, and with the covering, we can continue working internally;

9. VERANDA: we will execute the foundation for the columns, which will be pieces of railway sleepers measuring 16x24cm and will have the same roofing structure as the building;

10. SUBFLOOR AND FLOOR: the ground will receive a layer of expanded clay for thermal insulation, a concrete layer, and a stone floor covering, which will be easy to maintain and resistant to the high traffic the location will receive;

11. FINISHES: at this stage, the walls will be covered with plaster and stucco, using a mixture of clay, sand, ground straw, and lime for internal use, and a mixture of clay, sand, fresh manure, and linseed oil for external use. Electrical, hydraulic installations, and frames will also be completed.

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The stages were defined in this sequence due to the rainy season, which usually begins at the end of September. Therefore, we are speeding up to cover what has been done so far, postponing the veranda construction and thus enabling the completion of the final finishes under the covering.

We started the work in February 2024, thanks to donations from partners and to our collaborators, apprentices, and temporary volunteers, who literally got their hands dirty, guided and supervised by builder Jorge Dutra and director Bart Bijen. We are now focusing our efforts on completing this first phase and raising funds for the next phases.

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Collaborators:

[/vc_column_text][gap size=”30px” id=”” class=”” style=””][vc_column_text css=””]Architectural Project: Pedro Pizarro Villalobos
Construction Manager: Arthur Antony
Construction Master: Jorge Dutra
Construction Team: Rhana Parajara, Wallace Ferreira and Pedro Lindemann
Project Detailing and Construction Team: Alieska Zancanaro[/vc_column_text][gap size=”30px” id=”” class=”” style=””][vc_column_text css=””]

Investor Partners:

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Monday September 9th, 2024
Taioba: The Green Treasure of Agroforestry
Taioba, a leafy green native to South America, is a key player here at Eco Caminhos farm due to its health benefits and usefulness within agroforestry. This plant can be found in kitchens across Brazil, Africa, and Trinidad and Tobago. In this article, we will explore the wonders of taioba, from its ecological role to its culinary applications.

Taioba and the Agroforestry System

Taioba (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) serves various functions within agroforestry systems. Amidst the diversity of plants, taioba not only thrives, but also helps maintain soil moisture and protect against erosion, thanks to its large leaves. Taioba leaves act as a living mulch, helping to keep the soil fluffy and moist. This characteristic is essential for protecting tree roots and providing shade for small coffee seedlings, creating a more favorable environment for their initial development. Its presence contributes significantly to the health of the ecosystem, promoting biological diversity and agricultural sustainability.

In the pictures to the right you can see our agroforestry systems (SAF) at different stages. In the newly planted SAF (left), it is easy to see how taioba creates shade for the coffee seedling below. The more mature SAF (right) shows inhame which serves a similar role as the taioba amongst a larger diversity of more mature plants. Be warned that the inhame leaf, while similar in appearance and function within agroforestry to the taioba, is not safe for consumption; however, inhame root is edible and delicious.

See how taioba interacts with other plants in a five month old agroforestry system

The inhame plays a similar role to taioba here in this mature agroforestry system

Health Benefits & Preparation

In addition to its functions within an agroforestry system, taioba is a rich source of essential nutrients. Rich in vitamins A and C, calcium, and iron, taioba offers significant health benefits, including strengthening the immune system, promoting eye health and maintaining healthy bones and teeth. Furthermore, its low calories make it an excellent food to include in balanced diets.

However, taioba requires proper preparation because it contains oxalic acid. Oxalic acid is also found in foods like spinach and other leafy green vegetables. When consumed in large quantities, oxalic acid can cause irritation to the mucous membranes. Proper preparation of taioba, mainly through cooking, nullifies these adverse effects, making it safe for consumption. Traditionally taioba leaves are consumed cooked in stews, soups, or pies. When cooked, this leafy green has a mild and pleasant flavor.

Taioba Refogada (Stir-fry) Recipe

Ingredients:
- 1 bunch of taioba (1o leaves)
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- Salt to taste
Steps:
1. Wash the leaves well under running water to remove any dirt or residue.
2. Remove the stalk and cut into strips or pieces.
3. Saute garlic in olive oil over medium heat until fragrant.
4. Add in the taioba and salt to taste.
5. Stir occasionally, until the taioba has reduced to about half of its original volume.
6. After the taioba has reduced to 50% of its original volume, turn the heat to low.
7. When the taioba has cooked down to a texture reminiscent of cooked spinach, it’s ready to serve and enjoy!
Friday April 19th, 2024
Social Impact 2022

The Partners & their history

Over the passed 20 years a group of organization have colaborated in social activities mainly focussed on underprivileged youth in Brazil. It all started with the Comunidade Rural Casa do Caminho orphanage in Brazil where Bart Bijen became the managing director. In 2006 the Stichting Avante Educação Brasil was founded in the Netherlands with the objective to support the children of the orphanage and other underpriviledged youth in Brazil.

Then in 2009 the Caminhos Language Centre in Rio de Janeiro was founded. A Portuguese Language School for foreigners with 2 goals. Generate funding for underprivileged children and teens from the orphanage and also the favelas in Rio de Janeiro. The school is owned by Bart and Jascha. Jascha is the managing director.

In the language school surged “Mais Caminhos” which was the social arm of the school which grew together with the school and is now an established organization.

And in 2015 Eco Caminhos in Nova Friburgo, Brasil was founded with the purposes to impact both the environment and underprivileged youth.

As the social programs have grown in 2023 we have now founded a Brazilian Foundation called “Ecolibrium” with the purpose to raise funds in Brazil and abroad to increase the social and environmental impact in the region.

The realized work in 2022

The support of educational and social projects in Brazil by the Avante Educação Brasil Foundation runs through the programs: 1. Mais Caminhos 2. Eco Caminhos Apprenticeship (school) 3. Support for Davi and family

Mais Caminhos

In the program Mais Caminhos is aimed at providing education and support for children from the favelas Cantagalo and Pavuna in Rio de Janeiro. The program functions at the Caminhos Language Center in Rio de Janeiro. The manager Marie Dupuy runs a team of volunteers. For a reports of the activities and achievement you can check the mais caminhos website.

Eco Caminhos Apprenticeship

The Avante Educação foundation also supports the apprenticeship program of Eco Caminhos. An Eco farm near Nova Friburgo in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The Eco Farm also receives underprivileged young adults with little perspective. youngsters live at the farm for one or two years receiving accommodation, food and a stipend. The young adults can specialize in bio-construction or agroforestry.

They also learn how to behave on the labour market and how to take care of themselves: cleaning, cooking and learning how to handle money. In 2022, there were 4 apprentices. Of these, three have successfully completed the programme. One of them is now contracted by Eco Caminhos as an employee, two have left after going abroad after meeting a friend within Eco Caminhos. In 2023, two new apprentices have started and two more are starting in May,

Davi and Family

Support to Davi and family The Avante Educação Brasil Foundation has been supporting Davi Porfirio and his siblings for many years. The family spent an important part of their childhood in the Casa do Caminhos orphanage near Rio de Janeiro. Davi then spent an exchange year in Genhout Beek with the Pirson family . He then went to study and works at the Caminhos Language Centre where he is responsible for touristic activities for the students. Two brothers and a sister are now adults and stand on their own two feet. There is another brother Tiago who is forteen years old and is currently in school. In the video below Davi explains why the support needs to continue for a few more years.

Davi will now move to France in 2023 where his girlfriend lives. Luciana, Davi’s sister, will continue to care for Tiago. Luciana doesn’t make enough money to support Tiago. Davi will have to set up his life in Europe first and get a job in France . Until then, we will continue to provide financial support. We kindly ask the donors to continue to support for at least another four years until Tiago is an adult. Davi is supported by about 40 sponsors who pay a monthly amount.

AEB Foundation

The AEB Foundation does fundraising for all the projects described above and does annual fundraisers for specific projects. The board consists of Jan Bijen (chairman), Jascha Lewkowitz (secretary treasurer) and Maarten Vonhögen (secretary).

Tuesday April 18th, 2023
Canadian students build a park in Nova Friburgo school.

Coming from Canada direct to the neighborhood of Cordoeira – participate in an action in local school, build park and participate in bioconstruction and agroforestry project in partnership with ‘Eco Caminhos’.

In partnership with the social program OFFGRID we are pleased to welcome a group of students from sainteanne school in Canada to help us build a playground in a school in Nova Friburgo – Padre Rafael Municipal School, in the Cordoeira neighborhood.

They came to help us with a lot of love, passion, enthusiasm and happiness spreading throughout our community and also giving us a hand in the mass in our permaculture project at Eco Caminhos.

They are from many parts of the globe we have Hungarians, Russians, Spanish, Indians, Chinese, Italians, English and French all together on a mission that began on Monday, 6, where they will remain until March 22.

This is a great opportunity for them to learn a new language like Portuguese and also about different cultures and customs.

Bart points out that the experience is rich for both students coming from other countries and young Brazilians:

“Here they have the opportunity to know a foreign language and understand that young people on the other side of the world are equal, are only from another culture, with different race and language, but have many similar things and make us believe that the world is much smaller than we imagine”.

The financial resources for the construction of the School Park were part of a donation from the students and they are acting as volunteers. It’s a wonderful gesture!

The OFFGRID project is a bilingual project that follows the vision of development of children and young people through humanized sustainable habits and skills.

João Guilherme Wermelinger, dentist who participates in the ‘Off Grid’ project at Padre Rafael school said he is full of expectations:

“I’m sure it will be days of discovery, hope, diversity and inclusions, served by altruism and also empathy”.

The seven young students from different corners of the world are accompanied by a teacher and will also produce a documentary on sustainable tourism, which is part of the completion of their school program.

In addition to the interventions and benefits of the school in Cordoeira, students will have agroforestry experiences, will learn about Bioconstruction, as well as leisure activities such as trails, and walks in waterfalls of the city.

Opportunities like this are extremely important both for young foreigners who come to make an exchange in Brazilian lands and for the young people here, who start to see more possibilities for a better future, the importance of taking care of our environment using sustainable practices for the greater good of the community and the planet in which we live. It is a fact that this immersion will provide a new worldview to these young people and we believe that we are following the right path in search of a better future.

Tuesday March 14th, 2023