Benfazer
Benfazer is a non-profit association in Portugal promoting sustainable, ethical living through social justice, environmental and animal welf…
Community Education
Learning that happens in public: Novas Descobertas in the Algarve, the arts-and-sustainability NGO Quinta das Relvas, and city-based movements like Circular Economy Portugal. Knowledge shared, not sold.
Projects in this focus
Community education in Portugal
Most of the environmental knowledge in this country is not taught in universities. It is carried by associations that run field days, talks and campaigns for whoever turns up, Some predate the policies they argue about. Quercus has been at it since 1985, ALMARGEM since the late eighties in the Algarve.
The range is wide. A Rocha Portugal runs a field study centre near Portimão. GEOTA works on land-use policy out of Lisbon. Vita Nativa takes people into the Ria Formosa. Shops like Maria Granel teach as a side effect of selling.
Almost all of it is free or close to it, and almost all of it needs volunteers. Related focuses: nature-based learning, sustainability in schools and workshops and trainings. Anything with a date attached is on our events calendar.