PROJECT HANDBOOK

23-31 OCTOBER 2019

Muğla , Turkey

Creating ASustainable

Lifestyle:Permaculture

GROUP EDUCATION VOLUNTEERS

presents

Mankind has seen nature as anunlimited source since its existence andpolluted and caused environmentalproblems. On the one hand, thephenomenon of rapidly increasingpopulation and on the other hand, theexistence of depleted naturalresources necessitated the search fornew solutions for humanity. Theirsearch for solutions has led to thedevelopment of sustainableenvironmental approaches.Sustainable environmental approachesmean that the available resources willbe used in a careful, planned andorderly manner to meet their needs infuture generations. In the face of thefact that natural resources are limitedand can be exhausted, it is inevitablethat the environment will be protectedand this situation will be sustained.

SUMMARY OF

OUR PROJECT

The need for people to understand that theresources in nature are not infinite and to bemore sensitive in order to protect nature hasrevealed the necessity of our project. The ideaof preserving and maintaining this system withpermaculture principles is a betterunderstanding of the content of our project andits ecological system and problems. Preparedactivities and studies are based on this purpose.The concept of permaculture needs to be betterunderstood and more involved in human life. Thelearning and implementation of the permaculturelifestyle, developed in accordance with thesustainable lifestyle, will undoubtedly contributeto the protection of nature. In this regard, thenecessity of teaching the sustainable lifestyle topeople is also among the project needs.

Today, young people cannot integrate with nature. In the European Union, almost1 out of every three young people has never been able to establish a land in theirlife or be integrated into the environment. With this project, it was aimed tointegrate young people with nature, to feel the soil and to comprehend theimportance of nature as intertwined with it. Again, young people need to exploreeducational environments outside the school and develop key competences. Thissituation has been one of the needs of our project. Although there are a lot ofinstitutions working on the protection of the environment, these studies aregenerally conducted regionally. These institutions are required to developexisting communication channels and volunteers in order to strengthen theirregional work and to participate in new international projects. The need to offernew partnerships to these institutions and the need to share good experienceshave also revealed the necessity of this project.

THE SUMMARY OF

OUR PROJECT

To provide a better understanding of ecosystem and its importance,To raise awareness about ecosystem protection,To introduce and spread the concept of permaculture,To provide a better understanding of the concept of sustainable environment,To contribute to the protection of nature,To make a publication in the field of youth for the first time aboutpermaculture,To create an internet page for the first time under the title of Erasmus +program related to permaculture,Increasing the number and potential of volunteers to work on environmentalprotection,To increase the capacity of the institutions working on the protection of theenvironment and sustainable life,2020 to contribute to the achievement of environmental targets,Supporting environmental policies in the European Union,To introduce Erasmus + program,To contribute to increase the key competencies of young people,To ensure that young people are more intertwined with nature.

THE OBJECTIVES OF

OUR PROJECT

The project activities were realizedin Muğla Fethiye with theparticipants from Latvia, Bulgaria,Hungary, Spain, Germany andItaly between the dates of 23-31October. In the preparation of theproject activities, good researchhas been done in the academicsense and the most accuratemethods of learning have beenchosen in order to transfer theinformation in the most efficientway. From the planning stage ofthe project activities, the wholeprocess was planned togetherwith the partners and an effectivepartnership was planned at everystep of the project. Adissemination plan which iseffective before, during and afterthe project activities started.Activities that will be active at allstages of the project are includedin the participants. Based on thesestrategies and plans, strategieswere identified for possibleproblems and crisis management.The realization of this process asplanned, effective team work andour youth energy will be the basicelements that will lead this projectto success.

THE ACTVITIES OF

OUR PROJECT

The content of the project has theidea of understanding the conceptsof ecosystem and permaculture andusing the principles of permacultureas a tool to protect the ecosystem.Therefore, first of all, how to use theprinciples of permaculture in orderto reduce the problems in theecosystem following the correctunderstanding of these conceptshas a very detailed explanation.These narratives have beensupported by the applications and itis aimed to create the idea that theparticipants can make theseapplications in real life. Rather thantelling all permaculture titles, theactivities are designed to provideyoung people with realistic practicalskills that will affect city life andtheir futurelife. The activities included both theparticipants; information and theactivities they took from the otherside. The activities are plannedbased on creativity, research-basedand directly aligned with theobjectives set for the project.Presentations, discussions, problemsolving, brain storming, use oftechnological tools, fieldapplications, peer evaluation wereincluded in the project activities.

THE ACTVITIES OF

OUR PROJECT

Erasmus+ is the EU program to supporteducation, training, youth and sport inEurope. Its budget of €14.7 billion willprovide opportunities for over 4 millionEuropeans to study, train, and gainexperience abroad. Set to last until 2020,Erasmus+ doesn'T just have opportunitiesfor students. Merging seven priorprograms, it has opportunities for a widevariety of individuals and organisations.Detailed information on theseopportunities, including eligibility criteria,is available in the Erasmus+ Programme.

THE BASE OF

OUR PROJECT

The aim of Erasmus+ is to contribute to the Europe2020 strategy for growth, jobs, social equity andinclusion, as well as the aims of EU2020, the EU'sstrategic framework for education and training.Erasmus+ also aims to promote the sustainabledevelopment of its partners in the field of highereducation and contribute to achieving theobjectives of the EU Youth Strategy. Specificissues tackled by the program include: � Reducing unemployment, especially amongyoung people� Promoting adult learning, especially for newskills and skills required by the labour market.� Encouraging young people to take part inEuropean democracy� Supporting innovation, cooperation and reform� Reducing early school leaving� Promoting cooperation and mobility with the EUpartner countries

Study abroad with Erasmus+Erasmus Mundus Joint MasterDegreesYouth ExchangesTeach abroad with Erasmus+Traineeships with Erasmus+

INDIVIDUALS Erasmus+ has opportunities for peopleof all ages, helping them develop andshare knowledge and experience atinstitutions and organisations indifferent countries.

Key Action 1: Learning mobility ofindividualsKey Action 2 : Innovation and bestpracticesKey Action 3: Support for Policy ReformJean MonnetSport

ORGANISATIONS Erasmus+ has opportunities for a wide rangeof organisations, including universities,education and trainingproviders, think-tanks, researchorganisations, and private businesses.

ERASMUS+

OPPORTUNITIES

Traineeship Erasmus+ supports traineeships (work placements,internships, etc) abroad for students currentlyenrolled in higher education institutions in Programcountries at Bachelor and Master level as well asfor doctoral candidates. These opportunities arealso open to recent graduates. By doing atraineeship abroad with Erasmus+, you canimprove not only your communication, languageand inter- cultural skills, but also soft skills highlyvalued by future employers, as well as becomemore entrepreneurial. Read more aboutthe benefits of an exchange abroad. You can alsocombine your Erasmus+ traineeship with a studyperiod abroad. Access to Erasmus+ OnlineLinguistic Support will help you learn the languageused at your workplace.

Studying Abroad Erasmus+ helps organise student and doctoral candidate exchanges within Erasmus+Programme countries and to and from Partner countries. By studying abroad withErasmus+, you can improve your communication, language and inter-cultural skills andgain soft skills highly valued by future employers. Read more about the benefits of anexchange abroad. You can also combine your period spent studying abroad witha traineeship to gain work experience - ever more important when starting out on thejob market. Opportunities to study abroad are available to students at Bachelor andMaster levels and Doctoral candidates. Master students taking a full degree abroad(up to two years) may be able to benefit from an EU-guaranteed Erasmus+ MasterLoan. Access to Erasmus+ Online Linguistic Support will help you learn the languageused for your studies if you are moving between Programme countries. Students withphysical, mental or health-related conditions may apply for additional funding afterthey have been selected to study abroad.

ERASMUS+ STUDENT

OPPORTUNITIES

ERASMUS+ YOUTH

OPPORTUNITIES

European Solidarity Corps The European Solidarity Corps aims to foster solidarity in European society, engagingyoung people and organisations in accessible and high-quality solidarity activities. Itoffers young people volunteering activities, traineeships or jobs, or run their ownprojects.These opportunities give young people the chance to show solidarity andcommitment to different communities and help resolve challenging situations acrossEurope. Through the experience, they will also develop their skills and gain invaluablepersonal experience.

Youth Exchanges Youth exchanges allow groups of young people from different countries to meet, livetogether and work on shared projects for short periods.Youth exchanges take place outside the school environment. On a youth exchange,you can expect to participate in activities such as workshops, exercises, debates, role-plays, outdoor activities and more. Participants learning experiences are recognizedthrough a Youthpass.

For Youth Workers Networking and trainingErasmus+ supports the professional development of youth workers through training ornetworki ng periods abroad. Periods abroad can consist of training courses, study visits,job shadowing or observation periods at relevant organisations and more..

Useful Links for Erasmus+ Program Opportunities: https://www.salto-youth.nethttp://ua.gov.trhttp://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/node_enhttps://europa.eu/youth/volunteering_enhttps://www.etwinning.net/tr/pub/index.htmhttps://ec.europa.eu/youth/solidarity-corps_en

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms in conjunction with the nonlivingcomponents of their environment, interacting as a system. These biotic and abioticcomponents are linked together through nutrient cycles and energy flows.The contents of an ecosystem can range from light and moisture levels to plant and animallife. The processes of a biome range from birth and reproduction to death andcomposition. In an ecosystem, living organisms are grouped into producers, consumers,and decomposers, the former representing all plant life, consumers the organisms thateat them and each other, and the latter those scavengers and bacteria that break downdead organic matter. Together, these living components are known as biotic factors.Abiotic factors or the non-living components of an ecosystem, can be climatic, social andedaphic (influenced by the soil or ground type). The calorific flow or energy flow thattravels through an ecosystem’s food chain is initially provided through the input of theecosystem itself – for example, the amount of sunlight available for plant life, andthe nutrient levels of the soil. Without abiotic factors, no ecosystem can provide for bioticfactors.

DEFINITION OF

THE ECOSYSTEM

Our environment is constantly changing. There is no denying that. However, as ourenvironment changes, so does the need to become increasingly aware of the problemsthat surround it. With a massive influx of natural disasters, warming and cooling periods,different types of weather patterns and much more, people need to be aware of whattypes of environmental problems our planet is facing. Our planet is poised at the brink of asevere environmental crisis. Current environmental problems make us vulnerable todisasters and tragedies, now and in the future. We are in a state of planetary emergency,with environmental problems piling up high around us. Unless we address the variousissues prudently and seriously we are surely doomed for disaster. Current environmentalproblems require urgent attention. 4 MAJOR CURRENT ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS 1. Pollution: Pollution of air, water and soil require millions of years to recoup. Industryand motor vehicle exhaust are the number one pollutants. Heavy metals, nitrates andplastic are toxins responsible for pollution. While water pollution is caused by oil spill, acidrain, urban runoff; air pollution is caused by various gases and toxins released byindustries and factories and combustion of fossil fuels; soil pollution is majorly caused byindustrial waste that deprives soil from essential nutrients.2. Global Warming: Climate changes like global warming is the result of human practiceslike emission of Greenhouse gases. Global warming leads to rising temperatures of theoceans and the earth’ surface causing melting of polar ice caps, rise in sea levels and alsounnatural patterns of precipitation such as flash floods, excessive snow or desertification.3. Natural Resource Depletion: Natural resource depletion is another crucial currentenvironmental problems. Fossil fuel consumption results in emission of Greenhouse gases,which is responsible for global warming and climate change. Globally, people are takingefforts to shift to renewable sources of energy like solar, wind, biogasand geothermal energy. The cost of installing the infrastructure and maintaining thesesources has plummeted in the recent years.4. Loss of Biodiversity: Human activity is leading to the extinction of species andhabitats and and loss of bio- diversity. Eco systems, which took millions of years toperfect, are in danger when any species population is decimating. Balance of naturalprocesses like pollination is crucial to the survival of the eco-system and human activitythreatens the same. Another example is the destruction of coral reefs in the variousoceans, which support the rich marine life.

PROBLEMS IN

THE ECOSYSTEM

WHAT IS

PERMACULTURE?Permaculture is a creative design process based on whole-systems thinking informed byethics and design principles that feature on this site.This approach guides us to mimic the patterns and relationships we can find in nature andcan be applied to all aspects of human habitation, from agriculture to ecological building,from appropriate technology to education and even economics. By adopting the ethics and applying these principles in our daily life we can make thetransition from being dependent consumers to becoming responsible producers. Thisjourney builds skills and resilience at home and in our local communities that will help usprepare for an uncertain future with less available energy.The techniques and strategies used to apply these principles vary widely depending onthe location, climatic conditions and resources that are available. The methods may differ,but the foundations to this wholistic approach remain constant. By learning theseprinciples you can acquire valuable thinking tools that help you become more resilient inan era of change.

1. OBSERVE AND INTERACTBeing observant and responding to what we see is really important in moving towards amore ethical and sustainable way of life.We can learn from nature,and from other people, observing how others have moved to agreener and more ethical approach, and working with the world around us to succeed inour goals. 2. CATCH AND STORE ENERGYEnergy is abundant on our planet. Learning how to catch and store that energy – inplants, with renewable energy infrastructure, or in other ways, is key to living asustainable way of life.Growing your own food at home is a great way to catch and store energy from our sun.Passive solar design also offers opportunities for architects, engineers and designers tomake further use of this abundant energy source. 3. OBTAIN A YIELDTaking the three core ethics of permaculture into account, we can work with nature to getall the things we need. Obtaining a yield can be as simple as using organic gardeningtechniques to provide food for our families – but it can also be about obtaining a non-tangible yield: happiness, health… or mental well-being.Living a sustainable lifestyle that sticks to permaculture principles can allow us to obtainall sorts of more intangible yields as well as the obvious tangible ones. 4. APPLY SELF-REGULATION AND FEEDBACKUnderstanding where we’ve succeeded and where we’ve gone wrong is vitally importantto creating real and lasting change. For example, by analysing and evaluating all thethings that we bring into our homes, we can make better purchasing decisions movingforwards: reducing, reusing, recycling and regulating our worst consumerist tendencies.

PERMACULTURE DESIGN

PRINCIPLES

5. USE AND VALUE RENEWABLESBy using the power of the sun, the wind, or the water, we can power our homes, grow ourfood, and regenerate our environments.Rather than relying on finite and polluting fossil fuels, we should make full use ofrenewable sources of energy: for example, switching to a green energy supplier – oreven generating our own power with solar panels or other renewable infrastructure athome – is something many of us can do to move to a more sustainable way of life. 6. PRODUCE NO WASTEMoving towards a zero waste lifestyle means looking at all the trash we chuck out andtrying to eliminate it. We can do this by reducing the amount we buy, by buying wisely, byreusing or recycling where possible, by composting, and by working with ethicalcompanies who look at waste throughout the entire life-cycle of their products. 7. DESING FROM PATTERNS TO DETAILSWhether designing a new vegetable garden, or an entire new sustainable way of life, wehave to look at the big picture before we get bogged down in the little things.Thinking wholistically, about all areas of our lives, can help us move forwards in a positivedirection. 8. INTEGRATE DON’T SEGREGATEPlants work well in diverse systems – the same is true of people too. Planting polycultures(guilds of plants which work together) is just one example of how this principle works inthe real world.And as well as applying this in the garden, we can also apply it to communities, groups ororganisations. Sustainability is something we achieve together – through collaborationand co-operation – it’s not something we do alone.

PERMACULTURE DESIGN

PRINCIPLES

9. USE SMALL, SLOW SOLUTIONSEvery journey begins with a single step. Whenever we try to do too much too soon, it’seasy to become overwhelmed – and though big changes can bring big benefits, theybring bigger risks too. Making small, incremental changes is the best way to movetowards sustainable change.For example – don’t start a farm, try a small windowsill garden. Don’t overhaul your entireshopping philosophy – change things one ethical purchase at a time. 10. USE AND VALUE DIVERSITYJust as ecosystems work best when filled with a greater variety of different plants andanimals, so human society functions best when an variety of different people arerepresented.In your garden, home and your life in general, it’s a good idea to promote and valuediversity in all its forms. 11. USE EDGES AND VALUE THE MARGINALSustainability is about making use of all the resources that we have at our disposal.Whether we’re talking about land use, work places, homes or society in general, makinguse of all we have involves valuing fringes and fringe elements.This might be as simple as using a neglected corner of your outside space to grow morefood, or something more abstract, like thinking outside the box. 12. CREATIVELY USE AND RESPOND TO CHANGE Finally, change is an inevitable part of life. It’s important to remember that permacultureisn’t just about now, but about the future. We design for change, understanding thatthings will alter over time. The changing seasons, changing attitudes, our changingclimate… how we respond to these changes will shape sustainable progress in the years tocome.

PERMACULTURE DESIGN

PRINCIPLES

PERMACULTURE 

FLOWERLand and Nature StewardshipSome topics covered in this domaininclude: Agroforestry, Biointensivegardening, Forest gardening, Organicagriculture, Biodynamics, Wholisticrangeland management, Integratedaquaculture, Wild harvesting andhunting, Gleaning. BuildingSome topics covered in this domaininclude: Solar design, Naturalconstruction materials, Waterharvesting and waste reuse,Biotechture, Earth shelteredconstruction, Natural disaster resistantconstruction.

Tools and TechnologySome topics covered in this domain include: Recycling, Fuels from organic wastes,Renewable energy. Education and CultureSome topics covered in this domain include: Social ecology, Home schooling, Waldorfeducation, Participatory arts and music, Action learning, Transition culture. Health and Spiritual WellbeingSome topics covered in this domain include: Alternative medicine, Home birth and breastfeeding, Dying with dignity, Body/mind/spirit disciplines. Finances and EconomicsSome topics covered in this domain include: Ethical investment and fair trade, Farmersmarkets and community supported agriculture, Tradable energy quotas, Ecological living. Land Tenure and Community GovernanceSome topics covered in this domain include: Native title and traditional use rights,Cooperatives and body corporates, Cohousing and ecovillages.

GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER We planned games for the participants to get toknow each other better. In those games, theparticipants had tasks to complete together, askto each other questions. In this way, they got toknow each other better and communicate better. DESCRIPTION OF THE ECO SYSTEM The participants were divided into groups anddrawn concept maps describing the ecosystem.After the presentation of these maps, a generalconcept map was prepared and all titles andconcepts that make up the ecosystem werelearned in the most accurate way. Participants gotencouraged to use the internet in this activity.

ACTIVITIES FROM

THE PROJECT

PROBLEMS IN THE ECOSYSTEM In this activity, the participants were divided intodifferent groups and are expected to conductresearch on the subjects that are pre-determinedfor them. The participants, who primarilyidentified the problem, then explained theproblem in more depth with current statistics andexamples. Subsequently, they presented andexplain the policies and studies carried out by theEuropean Union or international organizations, ifany. With this activity, participants wereexpected to have a clear understanding of theproblems in the ecosystem.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY OF PARTICIPATEDCOUNTRIES Prior to the project, participants were asked toprepare a presentation on environmental issuesand policies implemented in their countries. Thispresentation provided a better understanding ofthe main environmental problems, statistics onthe extent of these problems and the policiesimplemented to solve these problems.

ACTIVITIES FROM

THE PROJECT

ECO VILLAGE VISIT We planned a trip to Turkey's largest ecologicalliving farm permaculture built with permacultureprinciples. In this way, it was much betterunderstood by the participants how all thepresentations and teachings of the previous daylook in real life. Here whole day, practicalinformation in different parts of the farm weregiven in different headings such as the farm'shistory of establishment, operation, informationon production, farm animals visit, andcontribution to the ecosystem.

BEACH CLEANING It was planned to carry out an environmentalcleaning in the designated area (Fethiye DeadSea coast) with the participants, to explainorganic and inorganic separation of the collectedgarbage according to their types, to understandthe wastes that can be reused, recycleddifferently, and how the wastes can be kept inthe natural environment without damaging thenature.

ACTIVITIES FROM

THE PROJECT

PLANTING, RECYCLING AND OTHERACTIVITIES During two days in our project we talked aboutimportance of recycling, planting andcomposting. Participants from Spain and Bulgariapresented their presentation about biologicalidentity of soil and composting. Two of them have their business “Miliragama 14”in Portugal and they shared purpose of their joband importance of organic nutrition. They taughtus to prepare so delicious energy bars. Anotherparticipant from Portugal taught us to prepareBug Hotel through waste materials. Group leader from Latvia organized veryefficient activity about natural material use, &human made material integration into it. SomeSpanish participants taught us to prepare seedbombs and we throw them into forest.

ACTIVITIES FROM

THE PROJECT

CULTURAL NIGHTS During 4 evenings in our project we had perfect cultural nights. Each night we gotmore information about our participated countries about their cultures, foods andtreasures. We danced, tasted various kinds of traditional and enjoyed all together.

EVALUATIONSIn the end of daily activities, we talked about daily activities, their effects andresults over participants and community. We also prepared hashtag list forourselves.

Group Education Volunteers Muğla/Turkeygroupeducationvolunteers@gmail.com Ecological Manifesto - ManEcoSofia/Bulgariavihrenemitev@gmail.com Ecocenter Alapítvány Hatvan/Hungaryinfo@ecocenter.hu Associacao Quinta Das Relvas Branca/Portugalinternational@quintadasrelvas.pt QG Enviro MerineLizzanello/Italyqgenviro@gmail.com Permacultura Cantabria Penagos/Spainpermaculturacantabria@gmail.com Bioville Vecumnieku NovadsRiga/Latvialipa123@inbox.lv

THE PARTNERS OF

OUR PROJECT

The activities of this project

has been funded by the

Turkish National Agency

under the program of

Erasmus+.