Loura Ecovillage

Loura Ecovillage is an intentional community project based in the Colmeal area (postal code 3330-072) of central Portugal. Operating under the French word 'Relier' — meaning 'to connect' or 'to link' — the project embodies a philosophy of weaving together diverse fields of knowledge and practice into a cohesive, regenerative way of life. At its core, Loura Ecovillage draws on ecology and permaculture as foundational frameworks for relating to land and resources. These are complemented by an embrace of collective intelligence, recognising that community decisions and creativity emerge most powerfully when diverse voices collaborate. The arts are woven throughout, serving both as a means of expression and as a transformative social force. Alternative pedagogies underpin the educational approach of the community, favouring experiential, participatory, and nature-connected learning over conventional models. Training in integrative medicines and therapies rounds out the project's holistic vision, addressing the physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing of community members and visitors alike. The ecovillage currently runs retreats and training stages, inviting people to experience this integrated approach to sustainable living. These events serve as both an entry point for newcomers and a means of sustaining the community financially and socially. Loura Ecovillage represents a convergence of several movements — the ecovillage and intentional community movement, the permaculture tradition, holistic health, and transformative arts — into a single living laboratory situated in the Portuguese landscape.