The Riverside Community

The Riverside Community is a family-led initiative located on a rural quinta in Central Portugal, near Luz, in the area known as Veigas. Founded by Lief and Noelia, the project centres on the restoration and sustainable development of a piece of land with the dual ambition of building a self-sufficient family home and establishing a welcoming space for community gatherings and shared learning. Lief brings hands-on expertise in carpentry, eco-building, and gardening, shaped by a background in communal living from an early age. Noelia, a former city-dweller and seasoned world traveller, is driven by a desire to reconnect with the land and return to simpler, more grounded ways of living. Together, they have experience organising and participating in festivals and events that unite like-minded people to share knowledge, skills, and joy. The family has since grown to include their young son Lyanz, whose barefoot presence serves as a daily reminder of the values of simplicity and closeness to nature. The farm is actively evolving, with ongoing construction work, land development, and community-oriented plans taking shape over time. The Riverside Community warmly invites volunteers to participate in farm life through platforms such as Workaway, and also welcomes short- and long-term visitors who are searching for land in the region in exchange for a small contribution. The initiative reflects a heartfelt belief that it is possible to follow one's dreams, live more sustainably, and build meaningful community connections rooted in the land.