We are located near Colmeal in the abandoned village of Rossaio which we are currently renovating.
It has several ruins and many fertile terraces which are slowly evolving into permaculture gardens. There are many trees including olive trees, chestnuts, cork oaks, pines, walnuts and lots of fruit trees. We are constantly adding different varieties to increase diversity and establish a forest garden.
Our aim is to bring this area back to life, according to Permaculture design.
If permaculture and sustainability is your main focus you are most welcome!.

So far we've had over 30 volunteers in the first year. Over the coming months we're hoping to expand and develop the garden in the surrounding lands. With the office HQ up and running we now have steadier connectivity on the web which is facilitating organising future happenings.

Our main focus until the end of the year is the olive harvest which we have started but need more help. This will include picking olives, pruning trees and clearing of the land for an extensive topography map which is needed for design purposes.
In the coming year there will be opportunities for you to be involved in such tasks as; building a bush bath and solar shower, clearing terraces, building new structures such as green houses and tool sheds, pruning trees, maintaining vines, admin such as fundraising, promoting the project and legal structure investigation, setting up 12V renewables and just enjoying the natural beauty of the place.
What you need: head torch, water proofs, a sense of humour and, most importantly, enthusiasm!
What we need: Down to earth, real people who are self motivated, have knowledge of permaculture principles, are interested in low impact living and sustainability and are able to share their skills with others. We're now looking for skilled long term volunteers (min 2 months) who are willing to work on their own ideas and capable of supervising the short term volunteers; and short term volunteers (min 2 weeks) with enthusiasm to learn, get involved and get your hands dirty.
We are only in our second year so we are still improving the accommodation, currently we have three caravans (see photos), lots of space for tents, compost toilets, shared kitchen, bread oven and solar showers on sunny days!
We have a lot of skills, knowledge and resources to share. If you want contribute your energy, spend time with the land and share the experience with us please get in touch.


The project is at an open and experimental stage where we are welcoming proposals on all aspects of permaculture design, cooperative work & creative residencies. Over to you..

Central

Gardening - can you help us grow our own vegetables, fruits and salads? And design/plan for next year?
Bush bath - we really want to be able to have long hot soaks here.
Portuguese research - we need a Portuguese speaker to find out and help set up an association or similar framework for a legal structure.
Native woodland - we are hoping to set up an area for growing native trees, help needed for organising and coordinating this.
Rebuild work - there are a number of ruins here which we hope to gradually work on making into usable space; possibly even one for housing a Portuguese family.
Events - we have a Full Moon social with pizza cooked in our stone bread oven with friends and locals; possibly you can arrange more?
General clearing - we have lots of land, steps, and paths that need attention.
Whatever you can suggest yourself perhaps? We enjoy hearing ideas and including everyone in the decision making process.

English

We have two more caravans available; one with a double bed, the other with a double and single bed. Both have wood burners for the cold nights - you will have to help collect wood of course. We also have an outside kitchen/dining area, but can cook in the live-in bus when weather is not so good. The Hive office has a spare laptop to use and wifi internet is available - all powered by renewable solar so there may be natural limits to usage in darkest winter! Compost toilet and basic washing facilities - this is not the Ritz.

Public transport available through Coimbra as far as Vila Nova de Poaires, Gois or Arganil. Phone ( ask for phone number when you write) for more details.