“A balanced settlement that acts as a volunteer hub and living research centre
where everyone can fully realise their inner potential,
in harmony with nature and the surrounding community.”
Our Vision is:
Ananda Kalyani is a multi-dimensional development project run by an international team from diverse backgrounds and with a wide range of skills. Its goal is to develop a model of sustainable living in response to modern social, economic and environmental challenges.
Ananda Kalyani aims to create its nucleus in a rural community based on ecological principles in the centre of Portugal near the beautiful Serra da Estrela Nature Reserve, as well as to facilitate the development of other sustainable projects in the surrounding areas.
It envisions becoming a centre of environmental and social excellence that will serve as a source of inspiration and innovation for the wider community. It also aspires to become an important centre of eco-tourism, with a residential area, camping facilities and on-site programmes of international appeal.
The project is being developed using the latest scientific methods of agricultural production based on cutting edge research, ecological materials and bio-architecture, renewable energy sources, including woodland management and water and waste treatment systems. It further aims to promotes holistic child-centred education and lifelong learning as well as a lifestyle encouraging personal development and responsible citizenship.
In recent years a team of volunteers has organized international events, workshops and conferences at Ananda Kalyani, attracting interest from around Europe, thus preparing the base for the next steps, which will be taken in cooperation with local institutions and associations.
Our Aims are:
- To create a model for sustainable 21st century living,
based on neo-humanistic values and all-round service, which will be a replicable educational, research and service resource for society at large;
- To act as a social hub,
bringing together people who are interested in music and the arts, education, culture, health, economics, innovative scientific techniques and consciousness studies;
- To help improve the quality of life of all living beings,
both human and non-human, and to create a supportive environment which provides for the needs of the residents and the surrounding community within a governance framework based on sociocratic principles;
- To strengthen the local economy and the surrounding communities,
through interaction and by helping them in their efforts to become self-reliant in terms of food and energy as well as through the creation of employment opportunities;
- To promote a healthy and ecological lifestyle,
supportive of activities that lead to joy and happiness and stimulate the regeneration of biodiverse sustainable ecosystems;