Buruiana: A Regenerative Sanctuary for Nature and Community
This is a regenerative oasis, a hub for education and community engagement, promoting sustainable living through regenerative agriculture and deep ecology. Empowering people to reconnect with nature, take responsibility for their local environment and inspire action. A participatory and inclusive space, design to address the correlation between inner and outer ecology. This is a sanctuary for nature and human soul, which aims to bring into experience inter-being and co-creation.
Local
Romania
Domnesti, Ilfov
It addresses urban-rural linkages
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
No
No
As an individual in partnership with other persons
First name: Teodora Anca Last name: Bilciurescu Gender: Female Age: 28 Please attach a copy of your national ID/residence card:
By ticking this box, I certify that the information regarding my age is factually correct. : Yes Nationality: Romania Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: Soseaua Tudor Vladimirescu nr. 2 Town: DOMNESTI Postal code: 077090 Country: Romania Direct Tel:+40753580797 E-mail:anca.bilciurescu@yahoo.com Website:https://www.facebook.com/gradinaburuiana
Buruiana is a grassroots initiative that is rooted in the desire to reconnect with nature and live in accordance with the patterns dictated by nature. The project aims to be a pioneering holistic design in bringing forth the incarnation of concepts related to the ecovillage context such as striving towards not only sustainable but regenerative social, economic, and ecological practices.
The main intention is to create a natural hub that exemplifies biodiversity and community resilience. This hub serves as an educational platform that prioritises experiential learning and knowledge-sharing. The project also aims to document the stages of the process, making it replicable in other spaces.
The central objective of Buruiana is to improve the health of soils and the ecosystems, thus enhancing the overall resilience of the land and people. This will be achieved through a variety of events and courses that are designed to be accessible and inclusive. The project also aims to raise awareness on the correlation between inner and outer ecology, emphasising the impact of our actions on the environment and how it reflects on our well-being.
We intend to create a food forest while also providing educational opportunities which will take the form of a course, after which participates will have the know-how to create a similar design. Additionally, we plan on delivering practices of deep ecology such as the "Work That Reconnects" method developed by Johanna Macy. This holistic approach to land use and community engagement is intended to foster a deeper connection to nature and promote regenerative and sustainable practices.
The project aims to emphasises the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of living in harmony with nature. Buruiana serves as a transformative space that empowers people to take responsibility for their local environment and to make conscious choices that contribute to the regeneration of natural ecosystems and biodiversity.
Community garden
Food forest
deep ecology
permaculture
community building
The key objectives of the Buruiana project in terms of sustainability are to create a thriving permaculture design that promotes ecosystem regeneration, biodiversity, and sustainable resource use. This is achieved through implementing regenerative agriculture practices, such as using a diverse mix of plants to cover the soil year-round, reducing tillage to preserve soil structure and reduce erosion, using compost and other organic matter to improve soil health and increase fertility, and integrating perennial plants to improve soil health and increase biodiversity. A significant portion of the land is designated as a permaculture zone 5, where human intervention is minimised to allow for natural restoration and rejuvenation.
The project also focuses on educating individuals about reducing their negative impact on the environment through various events and courses, such as ecological events that bring awareness to the climate crisis, permaculture courses, plant-based cooking events, compost making gatherings, and educational events about reducing consumption and waste. The project also operates as a vegan space, encouraging a plant-based diet for ethical and environmental reasons.
Furthermore, the future plan is to implement a food forest design, which mimics the structure and function of a natural forest ecosystem and provides for the needs of both the environment and community. This design is also being transformed into a course to educate others on its benefits and implementation. The project also plans to design a series of deep ecology sessions aimed at addressing the broader implications of human actions on the natural world and encouraging individuals to take personal responsibility for their impact on the earth. This will also help to foster a deeper sense of connection and reverence for the natural world.
Buruiana aims to promote regenerative living through permaculture and deep ecology, creating a holistic and interconnected approach to sustainability.
The Buruiana project aims to create an exemplary model of sustainable design that enhances the aesthetic and experiential qualities of the environment by seamlessly integrating with the unique characteristics of the location and fostering a sense of connection and belonging through engaging and meaningful experiences. Our approach prioritises the integration of natural elements into the design, utilising natural and sustainable materials and techniques. We believe that aesthetic objectives are closely linked to ecological ones, and our main priority is to maintain a wilder, natural vibe throughout the space to inspire a vibrant connection to nature.
To enhance the emotional benefits of the project, we prioritise community engagement and participation. This includes hosting events, activities, and workshops that promote a deeper understanding and connection to the natural world and foster a sense of community and belonging. For example, last year we organised a 10-day eco-camp to deepen connections to nature and the community. We frequently organise gatherings for cooking and eating together, as we have found that this creates a strong sense of belonging and meaningful experiences.
Our design also prioritises accessibility and affordability for members of the community and first-time visitors, with almost all activities being free of cost to ensure that money does not prevent anyone from participating. Furthermore, participating in gardening activities has shown to strengthen social connections and community cohesion by providing a physical space to connect with others who share similar interests and goals.. Overall, the Buruiana project serves as a model of a sustainable, aesthetically pleasing, and emotionally and culturally enriching space that brings individuals and communities closer to nature, fostering a sense of belonging.
The main key objective of Buruiana is to create an inclusive space that promotes affordability, accessibility, and inclusive governing systems. We strive to create an environment where all individuals, regardless of their background, can feel a sense of belonging and connection to the natural world and with each other.
Our governing system is based on the principles of sociocracy, which promotes equal participation and decision-making power for all members of the community. This not only allows for a more inclusive and equitable governing structure, but also fosters a sense of shared ownership and responsibility for the space.
One of the core principles we practice is honouring the importance of diversity. Our community is composed of individuals from all walks of life, including people of different ages, nationalities, and sexual orientations. Our oldest member is 76 years old and we also welcome children to play and learn about the importance of respecting and connecting with nature. We also give a high importance to bringing up difficult topics and constantly addressing racism, homophobia, and sexism, which in Romania are very pervasive.
To create a truly inclusive space, we commonly practice non-judgmental types of listening and sharing in circles, and deep listening practices, creating the space where all voices can be heard and are empowered to authentically share with others. We have organized events where we worked with difficult topics such as sexism and racism in a different way - going deeper than the surface judgments and exploring and working with the feelings behind. For us,diversity holds wisdom and high opportunity to grow and evolve,and is a priority.
Nature teaches inclusiveness,and Buruiana is a space where we listen to nature and respect her wisdom. Through our practices, we strive to create an environment that is truly inclusive, where everyone has the opportunity to connect with nature and with each other,fostering a sense of belonging.
The concept of the Buruiana community garden has been designed to involve citizens and civil society in a meaningful way. By creating a space where people can come together to grow organic food in a regenerative way, the community garden has created a sense of belonging and connection among its members. This project has been able to bring together people from different backgrounds, who share their knowledge and experiences,and learn from one another. This has created a positive impact on the community, as people have been able to reconnect with nature, and with each other, in a way that has been beneficial for their well-being.
The community garden has also been able to benefit the local community, by providing a beautiful access to the river, and by creating a space where people can come together to reconnect with nature through different activities. This has generated curiosity and respect from the locals, and has created opportunities for information exchange between different generations and people from different backgrounds.
Buruiana has also been able to inspire and be appreciated by many people who visit the garden and see the work being done. The project has plans to have more impact in the future, by working on projects to stop the pollution of the nearby river, and by working on projects to collect organic waste from the local area, to make compost. We plan to regularly host gatherings where members of the local community and the Buruiana community can come together to strengthen and build relationships with one another.
Overall, the project has been able to create a positive impact by involving people in a meaningful way, and by creating a space where humans can come together to reconnect with nature and with each other. This has not only proven to be beneficial for the overall wellbeing of the individuals within the community,but it has also sparked a transformative journey of personal growth and connection to one's self,others, and the natural world.
Our community garden project began by reaching out to the local community and connecting with those who were passionate about sustainable living and permaculture principles. We also sought the support and encouragement of local authorities and organisations.
As we expanded to the regional level, we sought the knowledge and guidance of experts and practitioners in agroforestry and regenerative agriculture. We also connected with other community garden initiatives in Romania to share experiences and best practices.
At the national level, we engaged with organisations and institutions focused on environmental protection and sustainable development, gaining their support and resources. We also participated in national conferences and events, raising awareness about our project and connecting with the ecological network. We formed partnerships with well-established organisations such as Mai Bine and the Vegan Association, as well as the Institute of Research and Permaculture from Romania, which greatly contributed to the expertise used in designing our project.
Looking to the future, we plan to engage at the European level by organising youth exchanges focused on reconnecting with nature. By engaging with European organisations, we aim to gain access to resources and networks that will help us expand the impact of our project.
The added value of engaging with these different stakeholders at various levels was the ability to gain a wide range of perspectives and knowledge. Furthermore, the engagement of these different stakeholders also helped to increase the legitimacy and accountability of the project, making it more likely to be supported and implemented successfully.
The Buruiana project is a holistic and multidisciplinary endeavour that reflects the integration of various disciplines and knowledge fields in its design and development. By valuing diversity in both humans and nature, we strive to create a stable and sustainable design that incorporates complex information from a wide range of perspectives.
Permaculture ethics and principles form the foundation of our design, as they provide a holistic framework for creating sustainable systems that mimic the patterns and relationships found in nature. Additionally, we use deep ecology practices to foster a deeper understanding and connection to the natural world. We also draw on the wisdom of our grandparents, who have passed down traditional knowledge about how to work with certain plants and herbs.
We also incorporate ideas from social research on human well-being to inform our design. The field of ecology is also an important consideration, as we strive to create a space that is beneficial for both human and non-human inhabitants. We also apply trauma-informed practices and the coaching method of possibility management to work with the emotional body.
The physical ecological design is based on the disciplines of agroforestry, permaculture, and regenerative agriculture. This multidisciplinary approach allows us to create a holistic and sustainable space that enriches our community and helps us evolve. By bringing together experts from various fields, we are able to gain a deeper understanding of the complex interactions and relationships that exist within our environment. This, in turn, allows us to create a space that is both ecologically and socially beneficial.
Our concept of a community garden that promotes sustainable living and permaculture principles is innovative in several ways when compared to mainstream actions in the field. Firstly, our approach emphasises the importance of community engagement and collaboration in creating a sustainable future. We believe that by bringing together individuals and groups from different backgrounds and levels of expertise, we can foster a sense of community ownership and responsibility for the project. This is in contrast to more traditional approaches that often rely on top-down decision-making and implementation.
Secondly, our concept incorporates principles of regenerative agriculture and agroforestry, which focus on creating closed-loop systems that mimic natural ecosystems. This approach goes beyond traditional sustainable agriculture practices that often focus on reducing harm and minimizing negative impacts, to actively regenerating and improving the health of the environment.
Thirdly, our concept also includes a focus on reconnecting individuals with nature and promoting mental and physical well-being. We believe that by providing a space for people to connect with nature, we can help to improve overall health and well-being, and inspire people to take action in protecting the environment.
Finally, our concept includes a focus on creating a circular economy by utilising organic waste from the local community to make compost, which is then used to enrich the soil in the community garden. This is an innovative approach to waste management and highlights the potential for small-scale actions to create a positive impact on the environment.
Overall, our concept is innovative in its holistic approach to sustainability, its emphasis on community engagement, and its incorporation of regenerative practices and principles that actively improve the health of the environment.
Our concept of community gardening and regenerative agriculture is built on the principles of deep ecology, which emphasises the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of preserving the natural environment. At the core of our concept is the idea that regenerative agriculture not only provides food and resources for the community, but also plays a vital role in healing and restoring the environment.
One of the key elements of our concept that can be replicated or transferred to other places is our approach to sustainable land management and gardening, which includes practices such as agroforestry, crop rotation, and permaculture design. These practices not only increase the productivity and resilience of the land, but also promote biodiversity and soil health. Additionally, our concept includes the use of natural building materials and techniques to create infrastructure that is in harmony with the natural environment.
Another important aspect of our concept that can be replicated is our focus on community engagement and empowerment. By involving the all members of the community in the design and management of the community garden, we have been able to create a sense of ownership and responsibility among the community members. This approach not only leads to more sustainable outcomes, but also promotes social cohesion and inclusivity.
Finally, our concept also incorporates elements of deep ecology, such as mindfulness practices, eco-therapy, and reconnection with nature. These practices not only benefit the individual, but also promote the overall wellbeing of the community and the planet.
Overall, our concept offers a holistic and innovative approach that can be replicated and transferred to other places, groups of beneficiaries and contexts. It emphasises the importance of preserving the natural environment, promoting community engagement, and promoting the overall well-being of the individual and the planet.
One of the key challenges we aim to address is the separation mentality that exists between humans and nature. Separation has led to a disconnection from nature and a lack of understanding of our impact on the environment. By providing a space for individuals to connect with nature and promoting mental and physical well-being, our concept aims to bridge this gap and inspire individuals to take action in protecting the environment.
Another global challenge we aim to address is the overconsumption of resources. Our concept promotes the use of sustainable living and permaculture principles, which focus on reusing and recycling resources.
Additionally, our concept addresses the global challenge of climate change by promoting regenerative agriculture and agroforestry practices. These practices not only help to sequester carbon from the atmosphere but also improve soil health and biodiversity, making the ecosystem more resilient to the impacts of climate change.
Furthermore, we also focus on the social issue of alienation and isolation, which has been increasingly prevalent in modern society. In Buruiana, community building and fostering connections between individuals are central.
Moreover, our project addresses the environmental and ethical concerns associated with the animal agriculture industry by advocating for the adoption of a vegan diet. By promoting a plant-based lifestyle and educating individuals about the impact of animal agriculture on the environment and animal welfare, we hope to inspire individuals to make more conscious and sustainable food choices.
Overall, our concept aims to address these global challenges by providing local solutions that are based on deep ecology principles and reconnecting individuals with nature. By promoting sustainable living and permaculture, our concept aims to inspire individuals to take action in protecting the environment and creating a more sustainable future.
