Meet the people and partners shaping our shared vision
Meet the people and partners shaping our shared vision
The Ananda Kalyani project is a physical and spiritual meeting space that forms part of the Ananda Marga ecosystem. To reach our goals as an aspiring integrative development project and intentional community, we collaborate with other departments within Ananda Marga. We also work with external associations, both locally and more widely, to promote socio-economic regeneration in the region, humanitarian aid, environmental sustainability, spiritual practices and conduct, education, and more.
Through joint efforts, we are able to implement initiatives that support communities and contribute positively to society. With the support of our partner projects, we have in recent years focused on strengthening our ties with local communities in the nearby villages of Paúl and Ourondo. We are now proud to be represented in the local cultural association, Casa do Povo do Paúl, and collaborate with them on local events and projects. Each of our partners plays a specific role in our shared mission, addressing different global challenges.
AMURT
Humanitarian Aid
Amurt works to improve the quality of life of the world’s poor and disadvantaged, and conflict- and disaster-affected people. In Central Portugal, AMURT works with refugees, women in need of support and prisoners. The organisation runs the weekly ‘Cozinha Solidária’ initiative, which provides access to food for those in need, as well as ‘Yoga in Prison ‘, which teaches yoga in local prisons. It has recently released a practical guide on the reception and successful integration of refugees into host communities. Designed to promote equality, inclusion and autonomy for refugees as they rebuild their lives in new surroundings, the guide provides best practices and practical tools, including innovative communication models and detailed checklists.
PRIP
Research Institute
PRIP is actively working to regenerate the Cova da Beira region by collaborating with various experts, associations, and municipalities. The aim is to develop proposals within different interest groups, including agriculture, water, education and culture, based on the block-level planning concept from Shrii Shrii Anandamurti’s PROUT theories and practices. Its project Cova da Beira Converge (CBC) aims to organise citizens and create a Participatory Development Plan for Cova da Beira. The objective is to define concrete actions that will increase the resilience of this bioregion, encourage citizen participation, boost the local economy, and improve the population’s standard of living and quality of life.
Ecoativo promotes ecological regeneration based on the principles of agroforestry, ecological initiatives and educational programmes. The project aims to improve the relationship between humans and the environment, promote ecosystem stewardship to increase resilience, and foster universal human values. In collaboration with the EU Erasmus programme, Ecoativo periodically offers environmental education courses for various age groups.
PEQUENA ILHA VERDE
Neohumanistic Education Association
Pequena Ilha Verde is an association based on neohumanist education, established in response to the need for a more holistic approach to education. This approach enables children to express themselves and learn in connection with their surroundings and with others. The association runs an annual forest school programme focusing on holistic development and learning in nature.
For ten years, Artivos has been our hub for arts and culture in Portugal, organising various cultural activities, including concerts, exhibitions, festivals, workshops and meetings, in Ananda Kalyani, Lisbon, the Algarve and Covilhã.
Some other projects we support
Microvita
Organic Produce
Our brand of organic produce includes oil, cosmetics, veggies, berries, and much more. Microvita and Ananda’s Agriculture team are working together to create additional products to share with the local community and generate funds for our projects.
Ananda Café
Restaurant & Social Hub
Ananda Cafè is a vegetarian café and restaurant in Fundão which, over the years, has become a real institution in the town. It works as a social hub for free-thinkers, serving delicious vegetarian and sattvic food and running music events at the weekends.
Cova da Beira Converge
Regional Development Network
Cova da Beira Converge (CBC) is a movement of citizens and organisations that come together to define and implement concrete actions that increase the self-sufficiency and resilience of this bioregion.
Ananda Room Covilhã
Yoga Room in Covilhã
Ananda Room is a venue in central Covilhã for workshops and weekly activities related to yoga, meditation, music and dance. They can host your workshop and promote cultural events in the city.
Ananda Room Fundão
Yoga Room in Fundão
This room, managed by Ananda Café, is a venue in Fundão for workshops and weekly activities related to yoga, meditation, music and dance.
Embracing the mindset of ‘unity in diversity’, we collaborate on meaningful projects that help shape a more equitable and just society. Our project is guided by the inherent oneness of all beings and the principle that collective welfare should take precedence over individual gain. We base our work and collaborations on this principle, striving to do more and better together.