Integration Through Permaculture

We hope this message finds you well and that you're enjoying the vibrant days of summer! Here at Sporos, we've been busier than ever, forging new connections, launching exciting initiatives, and deepening our commitment to community and environmental stewardship. This season has been one of growth, collaboration and we're thrilled to share some of the remarkable developments that have unfolded over the past few months.

One of the most significant highlights this summer has been our active collaboration with various European organisations, particularly through Erasmus projects. A standout initiative from these partnerships is the "Growing Together" training event in La Borie Noble, France, where Sporos will be contributing by sending an instructor and 3 participants. This training focuses on integrating sustainability, permaculture and social inclusion, particularly for migrant communities. The program aims to equip youth workers with skills and tools to enhance the integration of migrants into their communities through hands-on learning, permaculture education and digital tools.

We are also well into the organisation of the Green-EU project. This project, funded by the EU's Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) program, aims to enhance European resilience to climate change by fostering civic participation and awareness. It engages citizens, local communities and civil society through a transnational survey across 18 EU countries, assessing climate awareness and understanding. The project also includes events focused on the circular economy, biodiversity conservation and renewable energy, alongside workshops, public debates and educational activities. Emphasising inclusivity, it seeks to strengthen connections between citizens and EU institutions, empowering diverse communities to actively shape climate policies and contribute to a sustainable future. Sporos will play a major role in this event as a partner and will organize seminars and small conference in Lesvos on how permaculture can offer adaptation and mitigation strategies for climate change.

We're also delighted to share that Nuria is our first trainee entrepreneur funded by the Erasmus Young Entrepreneurs program, which we have recently been approved to host and train young entrepreneurs under. She has hit the ground running and is currently offering her skills while learning new ones as our EcoHub Manager. Under her leadership, we've expanded our reach within the community and have collaborated with different community volunteers over the last three months. We welcomed two volunteers from Afghanistan, three from Yemen, and our most recent addition, a volunteer from Syria. Their energy and enthusiasm have been a tremendous asset to our team, enriching our projects and particularly contributing to our efforts to create a more inclusive and welcoming space for all.

We're also broadening our operations with the acquisition of additional land and a new greenhouse that was generously given to us to regenerate by our neighbours at the farm. This expansion will allow us to enhance our cultivation efforts and increase our impact. However, this summer has posed unique challenges for our growing season, as we've faced extreme heatwaves that have tested our resilience. Despite these hurdles, our team has persevered and we're excited about the potential of these new resources to support our mission.

A particularly rewarding experience this summer has been our involvement in teaching various sessions with migrant children at the EcoHub. The events were a beautiful celebration of diversity, showcasing the power of community and the importance of cultural exchange. 

In addition to our ongoing projects, we've been developing the outdoor space at our headquarters in Milies to transform it into a vibrant social hub where people can gather for events, workshops and community activities. This new space will provide a welcoming environment for connection, learning, cooking, furthering our mission to create spaces where people can reconnect with nature and each other.

We're also excited to announce a new citizen science project we launched in July, funded by Impetus. This initiative engages community members in scientific research, fostering a deeper understanding of local ecosystems. It’s another step in our journey to create a more sustainable and connected world, where knowledge is passed down through generations and people learn to use wild edible plants as an alternative source of nutrition. The "Wild Harvest" project is an initiative that also celebrates the cultural heritage intricately linked to the natural landscape of our region.

As we look ahead, it's important to acknowledge the changes we've observed in the refugee community on Lesvos. The number of new arrivals has decreased significantly and we’re seeing a shift in the processing of their applications, which are now being handled more efficiently. This change has brought a sense of hope and progress. We remain committed to supporting these individuals as they navigate the next steps in their journeys.

This summer has been nothing short of transformative, filled with new beginnings and strengthened by the unwavering support of our community. Your continued generosity has made all of this possible, and we are deeply grateful for your commitment to our mission. As we move forward and nurture our seeds into seedlings, we are excited to continue growing, learning and re-wilding together. Baby steps bring major changes and we are so thankful to have you as the wind in our sails.