Idanha-à-Vida

Idanha-à-Vida is a long-term regeneration project centred on approximately 1,600 hectares of the 'Herdade Marrocos' surrounding the historic village of Idanha-a-Velha (ancient Egitânia), in the Beira Baixa region of Portugal. The project aims to create a lasting sanctuary for nature and community, restoring the social and ecological resilience of this territory. Guided by the concept of biocultural landscape, where nature and people are understood as part of the same living system, the team works to listen to the land, its ecology, its history, and the people who bring it to life before undertaking transformation. The approach combines regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, ecological restoration, and cultural revitalisation, drawing on holistic, integrative, and science-informed methods. A team of about nine professionals dedicates itself to diverse regenerative activities, spanning ecological restoration, organic farming, biodiversity monitoring, cultural memory work, and hospitality. The project has hosted collaborative design gatherings, an Ecovillage Tour stop, and the Re.Rural Caravan, connecting people, projects, and territories across the Iberian Peninsula. It also works with local partners such as the Município de Idanha-a-Nova and neighbouring cultural and agricultural initiatives. Founded by Tobias Rihs, who was inspired by Ernst Götsch's regenerative agriculture work in Brazil, Idanha-à-Vida honours the memory of its late pioneer Peter Zin, known as the 'shepherd of the trees,' whose dedication was foundational to the project's existence. Idanha-à-Vida continues to build a long-term vision that unites ecological restoration with social and economic wellbeing for the wider bioregion.