From 3 to 29 April, Artajona became the setting for a transformative educational experience to launch its first food forest, as part of the European FOOD FOREST project. Over the course of these weeks, residents of this small town in Navarre had the opportunity to take part in an intensive programme on permaculture, sociocratic governance, and food forest design, key pillars of this initiative led by the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) and funded by EIT Food.
A Diverse and Committed Group
A total of 27 people participated, either partially or fully, in the sessions held. Of these, twelve were men, fourteen were women, and one person identified as non-binary. In terms of age, two participants were under 40, six were retired, and the rest were between 40 and 65 years old. Since the initial 25 places were not fully filled, individuals from outside Artajona were also allowed to join. In total, nine participants came from outside the municipality.
The diversity of the group reflected the growing interest in sustainable and community-based models, extending beyond the rural setting where the initiative took place.
Food Forests and Permaculture: Tools for Regenerating the Environment
During the sessions, participants not only learned concepts but also trained in real tools to transform their surroundings. The programme combined theory, practice, and collaborative work, with a clear focus: empowering the community to design their own food forest.
The content covered fundamental topics such as:
– Permaculture, the foundation for designing sustainable systems integrated with nature
– Sociocracy, a horizontal and efficient decision-making model, ideal for community projects
– The functioning and design of edible forests, as a regenerative alternative to conventional agriculture
The final highlight was a group design exercise, mandatory for obtaining the official Permaculture Design Certificate. Only those who attended at least 90% of the classes were eligible to present their proposal, based on ethical principles and the tools learned throughout the course.
However, the true learning took place on the ground. During two intense practical days, participants:
– Built a biochar kiln
– Created a rocket stove
– Dug an infiltration trench
– Designed a living path, filled with organic matter, intended to nourish the soil and attract fungal life
This experience marks the beginning of a real transformation process. Artajona is not only designing a food forest but also a replicable model of community ecological transition. The FOOD FOREST project demonstrates that when education is combined with local action, any territory can become a driver of sustainable change.
