2024 was a year full of learning,fun , and connection to nature.
2024 was our busiest year ever. We continued to support our mission of offering transformative learning experiences that connect people of all ages and backgrounds to each other and to nature. Here's a summary of what we did at Associação Novas Descobertas during 2024.
2024 Numbers at a Glance
Some of our main results
Name Change
Projecto Novas Descobertas is now Novas Descobertas Association!
Open Days
for the community,
to highlight our work and inspire participation
Educational Programs
offered, in a
total of 58 individual sessions
Participants
in all
our events
and activities
March
Youth Leadership Training - Community Animators
In March, we held an intensive training course, with 25 participants, focusing on training community animators, where we also focused on training animators for our summer team.
The central themes of the training were regenerative leadership, the facilitation/creation of dynamics and collaborative work. The practical application of the content explored was promoted through direct contact with children and young people (Easter OTL also taking place at Campo do Vale). This training was another step towards ensuring that the Novas Descobertas summer camps continue to be a space for learning, fun and growth for both the participants and the animators involved.
April
Ecosystem Regeneration Camp
Our Ecosystem Regeneration Camps (ERCs) develop participants' knowledge and skills in the areas of ecosystem recovery and regenerative agriculture. The program prepares them to be agents of regeneration, enabling them to go out into the world and maximize their impact.
The spring edition of this popular program took place on our farm (Quinta Vale da Lama) over 7 days, with 22 participants from Portugal and Europe. Some of the topics included regenerative agroforestry, wood pastures and fodder, and healthy soils.
June
Open Day - 30 Years of Novas Descobertas
On June 22, we celebrated our biggest Open Day ever, as we celebrated our 30th anniversary! More than 250 people joined us for this very special day, with activities, workshops, concerts, food, drink and lots of fun!
June
Name Change
Our association was founded in 1994 as Projecto Novas Descobertas. After many years of expanding our programs and offerings, establishing a wide support network and becoming well known for our work, we realized that calling ourselves "Projecto" no longer accurately represented us as an organization.
We renamed ourselves Novas Descobertas Association and developed a new logo, brand identity and website to better represent who we are, and unveiled these changes at our Open Day in June 2024.
Summer
Residential Summer Camps
We hosted about 180 children in six residential summer camps, from the end of June to mid-September, ranging from 7 to 12 days each.
The campers developed inclusion and community learning skills as they had fun and took part in numerous activities, creating healthy bonds with themselves, their camper group and nature, while benefiting from our magical space.
Summer
Leisure Activities
Our summer OTL gave our youngest participants, aged between 6 and 10, the opportunity to spend memorable days of their summer vacation outdoors and experiencing the routine of the farm. They had fun as a group through various activities, developing skills of inclusion and community learning, creating healthy bonds with themselves, the group and nature. The OTL weeks ran from July to September.
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September
International Work Camp - Clay Cycle
We facilitated an International Work Camp on the theme of the clay cycle, funded by the Portuguese Institute for Sport and Youth (IPDJ). For 12 days, a group of 20 young people learned about clay, its properties and its role in the environment, as well as its use as a craft and artistic medium.
The International Work Camps aim to promote voluntary activities of a community, civil or social nature, carried out by a group of young people of various nationalities. They foster the development of a local community through collective tasks and enable young people to learn about culture, languages and intercultural interaction.
September
Open Day - Clay Cycle
Our Open Day on September 28 had the theme "Getting Clayful", relating to the clay cycle. It offered participants a variety of activities, including clay and craft workshops, talks, movement workshops and live music. This open day offered the opportunity to learn more about the results of the "Getting Clayful" International Work Camp, recently facilitated by Novas Descobertas Association.
October
Permaculture Design Course
This permaculture training included collaborative design and practical skills sessions. It gave the 22 participants the tools to create ecological, social and economic systems that effectively meet their needs, while regenerating the landscapes around them for the benefit of future generations. Participants received a permaculture design certificate on completion of the course.
November
Ecosystem Regeneration Camp
We offered two versions of our Ecosystem Regeneration Camps in the fall of 2024. Our residential version took place at the association's headquarters at Quinta Vale da LamaThe workshop took place over 7 days at the beginning of November, with 18 participants from Portugal and Europe. Most days included theoretical sessions in the morning and afternoons spent applying the techniques learned in the morning. In the evenings, participants got together for dinner, entertainment and community-building sessions.
November and December
Ecosystem Regeneration Mondays
The Ecosystem Regeneration Mondays program presented our well-known Ecosystem Regeneration Camp in a format that allowed easier access for locals and visitors who were unable to take part in the week-long residential program. This experience took place over five consecutive Mondays in November and early December at Quinta Vale da Lama. The 22 participants received the same training as in our residential course.
All year round
Days at the Farm
In the 2023/24 school year, the Days at the Farm program maintained its focus on connecting students and teachers to nature and fostering a socio-ecological awareness, in line with the principles of regeneration, through activities on the themes of water, soil, biodiversity and collaboration. There were approximately 800 participants from the municipality of Lagos and surrounding municipalities. As well as being on the ground with the classes, the Novas Descobertas team is continuing to design this program so that next school year it can take on a bigger dimension and have more impact.
Do you want to help support our work?
Consider making a donation.
Your donation allows us to expand the number of participants we reach, reduce the cost of some activities for those who have financial difficulties, improve the effectiveness of the programs and increase the number and types of programs we offer.
Other ways to help us
Become a Member
Members help us increase our impact.
Don't forget to check the Programs section of our website to get the latest information on programs and registration updates!
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