Rural Eco-Clubs for Adults >> Preserve, Protect & Repair For A More Sustainable Future

With this project, we wanted to give adults in rural areas better access to future-oriented learning opportunities - especially in the fields of biodiversity, repair culture, circular economy and...

With this project, we wanted to give adults in rural areas better access to future-oriented learning opportunities - especially in the fields of biodiversity, repair culture, circular economy and digital tools. Eco-Clubs were designed as open learning and meeting spaces where people could try things out together, share knowledge and gradually build more sustainable everyday routines. At the same time, we wanted to connect small local initiatives and enable European cooperation.Through exchange between Portugal, Spain and Germany, different ideas were tested, skills were strengthened and new ways of working emerged. Another goal was to show that rural communities can actively contribute to the green transition - provided they have suitable formats, support structures and inspiring examples. We also aimed to bring Erasmus+ more strongly into rural regions, reduce hesitation about participation, and promote a culture of lifelong learning. To ensure that other regions could benefit from these experiences, we developed a transferable model: a comprehensive Showcase Kit that demonstrates how Eco-Clubs can be started, communicated and further developed.

The project combined local practice with European exchange. In Germany, Portugal and Spain, partners developed Eco-Club formats that fit rural contexts and tested them with local communities. A total of 56 workshops were delivered, ranging from permaculture and planting to repair, upcycling and introductions to digital tools and fabrication. Learning was practical, immediately applicable and closely linked to everyday life. Several Eco-Club Days complemented the workshops: open community events with repair stations, swap actions and hands-on activities. Most took place at familiar venues, while mobile formats - a travelling FabLab and repair outreach - helped reach remote villages. Each partner contributed a distinct focus: Portugal strengthened repair communities; Spain combined nature learning with digital fabrication (for example, bird and bat houses); Germany connected repair and sustainability activities with short digital learning units and strong local partnerships. Continuous exchange improved the formats and led to a shared Showcase Kit with videos, tutorials, a modular presentation, website and social-media assets that other regions can adapt.

The project delivered results that were both measurable and clearly tangible. Across three countries, six Eco-Club Days brought together more than 400 visitors, creating open, hands-on learning spaces that strengthened community ties and showed how sustainability can be practiced in everyday life. In parallel, 56 Eco-Club workshops were implemented. At Saliko alone, nearly 200 people participated in 23 workshops; altogether, the partners reached more than 500 participants in repair, permaculture, digital tools and sustainable daily practices. The environmental effects were visible as well: over 500 CO₂-friendly plants and more than 120 trees were planted, and around 100 kg of vegetables were harvested. Many household devices, bicycles and clothing items were repaired and continued in use; in Portugal, 12 Repair Cafés made almost 100 devices functional again, often together with their owners. European cooperation worked as a true quality booster: teams improved their skills, shared methods and built collaborations that continue beyond the project. A key outcome is the reusable Showcase Kit - videos, tutorials, website, presentation and social-media materials - which is already being used and can be adapted by other regions.