Novas Descobertas Association

Founded in 1994, Novas Descobertas Association — formerly known as Projecto Novas Descobertas — has spent over 30 years cultivating regenerative education in the Barlavento region of the Algarve. Based at Campo do Vale, a collaboratively designed outdoor learning space within the Vale da Lama farm near Lagos, the association offers year-round programs that blend personal development with ecological and social regeneration. The Ecosystem Regeneration Camp is one of its flagship initiatives, providing hands-on learning experiences that nurture self-understanding, communication skills, and meaningful bonds between participants, their communities, and the natural landscape. Programs span a diverse audience: summer holiday camps and free-time activities for children and youth, school farm days for students from 1st to 12th grade, residential holiday camps for children and young people, capacity-building workshops and courses, Erasmus+ international programs, and volunteering opportunities. The association is committed to social inclusion and equity, actively working to reach learners from disadvantaged social and financial backgrounds. Its values — diversity, inclusion, innovation, and regeneration — underpin every program and partnership it builds. Rather than teaching only tactical sustainability skills, Novas Descobertas creates authentic spaces where participants can forge regenerative connections between themselves, their communities, and the landscape. Situated close to an estuary and the Atlantic Ocean, Campo do Vale benefits from a rich natural setting that enhances both indoor and outdoor educational activities. The association continuously measures the impact of its work to refine existing offerings and develop new programs, ensuring sustained growth and relevance. Through this ongoing commitment to learning, Novas Descobertas aims to cultivate long-term regenerative mindsets in individuals and communities across Portugal and beyond.