30 years of education and inclusion
Novas Descobertas Association was founded in 1994, as Projecto Novas Descobertas, with the dream of supporting social inclusion. Our first activities were summer camps that brought together young people from all walks of life. In these camps, the youth learned to value their differences and work together.
Now, we offer educational and recreational activities year-round to a diverse public, including the most vulnerable elements of society. We have developed a portfolio of personal development focused programs that incorporate the themes of permaculture, regeneration, and working in harmony with our natural surroundings.
How it all began
Novas Descobertas Association was established on 21st of June 1994, as a nonprofit educational and recreational association. In the beginning the association was mostly a family project whose main social action was organizing summer camps (at low prices and free for children from vulnerable groups) and Training for Summer Camp counselors.
Many children who participated in the summer camps returned for several years, creating a true family and friendly spirit. As time went on it was clear that inclusion was the main value of the project. Summer camps and trainings had always been created rooted in this value: fulfilling the aim of integrating children, youth, and adults from all walks of life regardless of their background, providing moments when they could feel confident and integrated not only in their experience in summer camps and trainings, but also in their friend’s group, school, and within their families and community.
We progressed into developing different programs not only for children and youth, but also for adults and elderly, reflecting greater inter-generational awareness in their actions. What followed was an exponential period of growth for our educational programs and strategic partnerships, which offer the national and international community equal opportunities for learning, recreation, inclusion, creativity and social empowerment of the individual.
Here are some of the activities and programs we have offered throughout our 30 years of existence.
1994 - Present date
Residential summer camps. Originally focused on social inclusion, we began incorporating the theme of regenerative action in 2010. Now these camps combine personal development, social inclusion, and regenerative action with nature. These camps are for youth aged 6 to 18.
1999 - Current date
Cultural Exchanges, International Work Camps (France, Norway, Poland, Egypt, Italy and Germany) and the creation of an international association website (under the European program “Juventude em Ação”);
2000 - 2009
Cultural exchanges, international work camps (France, Norway, Poland, Egypt, Italy and Germany) and the creation of an international website for the association (as part of the European "Youth in Action" program);
2000 - Present
Community events and activities of local impact (in partnership with the Portuguese Youth Institute – Instituto Português da Juventude);
2001-2013
Creation of free spaces for leisure activities for disadvantaged communities in the Algarve (under the support of “Apoio Juvenil e Apoio infraestrutural” and “Instituto Português do Desporto e da Juventude”);
2001-2015
Courses in the areas of intergenerational and social inclusion (e.g. traditional crafts, activities and other traditions);
2002-2004
Traditional Portuguese games (all over the country, joining parents, grandparents and children and in partnership with several Portuguese municipal chambers);
2007 - Present
Permaculture Design Courses, internships and courses for Permaculture Teachers as well as training actions for environmental and social regeneration (including S3 sociocracy and permaculture teachers training);
2009-2012
Environmental education program for schools (including the Portuguese school educational programs from 1st to 12th grade –program certified by the Ministry of Education);
2013 - Present
Ecosystem Regeneration Camp. A local and national work camp offering free practical training of soil and ecosystem regeneration;
2014 - Present
International Work Camps focusing on regeneration, and financed by the Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth;
2015 - Present
“Dias na Quinta (Days on the Farm), one day educational programs at Campo do Vale for schools and groups focused on social and environmental regeneration.
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