We grow for change!

Our projects are located in village of Prenčov where we are founding educational centre “Golden hill”. Prenčov is a small village, with rich cultural heritage and many living traditions, but anyway one can find very little opportunities for work, culture and education. Many people are dependent on nearby town of Banská Štiavnica, where conditions are better. Town is part of UNESCO cultural heritage and it is one of the favorite Slovak destinations in the summer with many cultural events throughout whole year.

In our centre we are exploring possibilities of sustainable rural life. Therefore we are focused on topics like permacultura, traditional buildings, handicrafts, arts and cultural events. As other Prenčov inhabitants, we are also dependent on opportunities offered by Banska Štiavnica, so we have close connections with many cultural and educational organizations, in this town. We often take part on cultural events, and also people from the city join our activities. This way we are connecting people of similar interests around our centre. Project activities will be integral part of life in the centre.

We have several groups of activities in which volunteers will be involved. Permacultura is a philosophy for building of sustainable human settlements. On these principles we are building our centre and we are supporting idea of local redistribution of sources. We have our own garden which provides us fresh vegetable; we are composting and recycling all biological waste. This sustainable lifestyle requires daily duties where volunteers will take a part. This is also opportunity for them to gain deeper understanding of environmental relations and to learn lot of new skills and useful habits for era of climat changes.
Throughout year we prepare several events, like seminars, workshops or festivals , where volunteers will help with propagation and organizing, gaining managing skills, but can also take part and deepen their knowledge in topics. Volunteers will help us also with preparation of new Erasmus + projects, where they can learn about project management and experience each step of project.
Other example is connected with our goal to bring non-formal methods of education to the formal educational system. Within this activity, with our support volunteers will be creating program for afternoon classes in local kindergarten and primary school. They will improve their skills in preparing creative activities or presentations, but also in communication, they can improve their Slovak language. They will prepare presentations about their culture, and they can help also with English classes. ..
Creating Handmade products is another opportunity for acquisition of living sources in rural area. Volunteers will learn how to make them and how and where to sell them.

Last but not least we can mention our local Museum “Black Kitchen” which is under reconstruction. Here we use traditional building methods and natural materials. This place should become local info center, with functional examples of traditional lifestyle. We plan to bake bread here, sell local food and products.