This article is part of the dissemination outputs of GEYC within the Erasmus+ youth project [FR-813] “Perma for Youth: A Path Beyond Sustainability”, implemented between 09-17 June 2026 in Les Âgés (Chartrier-Ferrière), France. The project brought together young people and youth workers to explore permaculture as a holistic approach to sustainability, combining ecological principles, community building, and hands-on learning through non-formal education methods. The text below is written by one of the project participants, Luana Burducea, and reflects their personal learning journey, impressions, and perspective on the experience.
Introduction and acknowledgements
Before sharing my experience, I want to express my sincere gratitude to GEYC for making this opportunity possible. Erasmus+ projects have a unique way of bringing together people, ideas and experiences that can truly change perspectives, and this training was exactly that for me. Thank you for trusting me to represent Romania and for supporting my participation in a project that perfectly combines environmental education, community building, and practical solutions for a more sustainable future. And now, let’s get to business!
Coming full circle with permaculture
When I was a teenager and later a university student, permaculture was one of the first ecological/community based concepts that captured my attention. The idea that we could create systems that are productive, fertile, and deeply respectful of biodiversity felt revolutionary. Years later, having the opportunity to take part in Perma for Youth: A Path Beyond Sustainability at Oasis des Âges in France felt like coming full circle. The training aimed to explore the fundamentals of permaculture, understand natural processes such as soil and ecological succession, and promote hands-on, community-based learning.
From the very beginning, I was happy simply to be there and meet so many wonderful people. We came from different countries, backgrounds, and professions, yet we shared a common vision: the desire to learn, to reconnect with nature, and to imagine more sustainable ways of living and working with our communities.
And what a place to do it in! In an isolated and preserved village surrounded by forests and fields, Oasis des Âges offered the perfect setting for slowing down and reconnecting with both nature and people. Everything about the experience felt special: the delicious vegetarian meals prepared with mostly local and organic products, the evenings around the campfire, the conversations that stretched late into the night, and the stars above us that seemed brighter than anywhere else. What impressed me the most was seeing how a community can become so close to being self-sufficient while also giving back so generously. Oasis des Âges is proof that another way of living is possible, one based on cooperation, care, and reciprocity. It receives from nature with gratitude and returns to it with responsibility.
Learning by doing: Non-Formal education in practice
One of the greatest strengths of the training was its methodology. We did not only sit and listen but learned by doing. The programme was built around participatory methods and outdoor activities, combining theory with practical experience. For me, this balance made all the difference. Understanding a concept is important, but putting your hands in the soil and experiencing it directly creates a much deeper kind of learning.
As an ecologist, I found it incredibly refreshing to see how much emphasis was placed on biodiversity when discussing plot design. Too often, productivity and biodiversity are presented as opposites, when in reality they support one another. Throughout the training, biodiversity was treated not as an optional addition, but as the foundation of resilient and productive ecosystems.
Soil as a living ecosystem
The topic of soil was another highlight. I arrived with a fair amount of knowledge, yet I left with countless new insights that connected beautifully with things I had already learned before. Understanding the role of nutrients, particularly nitrogen, and seeing soil not merely as dirt but as a living, breathing ecosystem was both fascinating and inspiring. Sometimes the most valuable lessons are not entirely new ideas, but new ways of understanding what we thought we already knew.
The walk through the forest was another unforgettable experience. It was one of those moments when learning becomes immersive and almost meditative. The experiments we conducted on different types of soil were equally impressive, revealing hidden processes taking place beneath our feet. Yet, amid the constant learning and exchange of ideas, the moments of silence in the forest were precious. They gave us time to absorb, reflect, and simply be present.