Live With Earth is a Portuguese non-profit association, active since 2012 and formally founded in 2017, working on sustainable development and the circular economy through permaculture, natural building and European youth projects. It's based at the Eco Campus Torres Vedras, a regenerated abandoned primary school, and has trained over 800 students across its programmes.
Live With Earth trains people in permaculture, natural building and the circular economy, and its headquarters is an example of that work: an abandoned primary school brought back into use with bioconstruction principles, reused materials and efficient use of resources. The association is headquartered at the Eco Campus Torres Vedras, inside the Paisagem Protegida Local das Serras do Socorro e Archeira (PPLSSA), in the municipality of Torres Vedras.
The association began with a thesis. In 2011, its founder, Rui Pessoa Vaz F. Vasques, wrote “Sustainable Constructions: Eco-Village Community” for his Master's in Design at IADE, and that work laid the conceptual foundation for the organisation. Live With Earth has been active since 2012 and was formally established in 2017.
Its work is organised around four elemental pillars:
- Water: awareness and environmental awakening
- Earth: empowerment through permaculture, natural building and natural pigments
- Fire: bringing together people, knowledge and cultures
- Air: innovation through the circular economy and conscious action
More than 800 students have trained with the association in permaculture, natural building and the circular economy. It has delivered over 10 Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps projects, and it set up the annual Live With Earth Design Conference (LWE DC4SD).
Live With Earth collaborates on permaculture design, natural building, eco-arts and eco-design, workshops and certified training, and European youth projects under the European Green Deal framework. It sits on the Torres Vedras Municipal Climate Action Council, is a partner of the UNESCO Global Geopark Oeste and a member of the Portuguese Colour Association. Its recognition includes the WEF Women Economic Forum “Exceptional Leaders of Excellence” Global Award in 2019 and the BPI Fundação La Caixa Solidário Prize in 2024. A European branch, Live With Earth Europe, coordinates EU-funded youth and sustainability projects, including Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps initiatives.
Our Goal
Live With Earth wants to promote sustainable development and the circular economy through education, research, permaculture, natural building and European youth programmes, regenerating ecosystems and supporting human wellbeing.
Our Wishes
The association welcomes collaboration from individuals, organisations and communities interested in co-creating regenerative solutions, and invites support through donations and partnerships in permaculture, natural building, eco-arts, workshops or European youth projects.
