With this project, Common Knowledge aimed to equip rural adults with practical skills to build sustainable, off-grid shelters using locally sourced materials, in this case, Portugal’s abundant eucalyptus, a forestry waste product with high environmental impact. By developing and demonstrating ways to utilise eucalyptus effectively, we sought to make green construction skills accessible, no matter what building material one is using, to those without formal training, and also to those not necessarily starting a career in construction. Enabling affordable, eco-friendly housing solutions for all, helping them become the solutions to the problems they are facing. Our collaboration with Jardim do Mira added expertise in circular water systems and sociocratic governance, enhancing sustainable resource management within the project. This allowed us to address the unique challenges in Portugal while contributing a model for sustainable shelter building that other communities could adopt. Through our digital toolkit and hands-on approach, we hoped to foster resilience, inspire the use of waste materials, and support European sustainability goals by showcasing sustainable, self-sufficient living options.
Our project emerged from a need we identified to address pressing needs in sustainable living, skill-sharing, and community empowerment within rural and remote regions. Many remote communities lack access to affordable housing solutions and the skills required for eco-friendly construction, which limits their self-sufficiency. By offering hands-on workshops and a ‘build toolkit,’ we aimed to equip participants in Portugal and from Ireland with practical skills and applicable knowledge to create any shelter, but in this case, off-grid shelters, fostering resilience and environmental awareness. Additionally, the project addressed a need for effective resource management and community governance in regions with limited access to energy and water systems. With Jardim do Mira’s expertise in circular water systems and Sociocratic governance, and Common Knowledge’s experience in construction and skill-sharing, our partnership offered a replicable model for communities across Europe facing similar challenges. This collaboration not only meets local needs but aligns with European priorities for sustainability, green skills, and inclusive community engagement.