Permaculture for Refugees (P4R) is a global network of educators, practitioners, community leaders and networkers coming from diverse fields of work, with a common vision to disseminate permaculture knowledge widely, and to not only teach displaced people but to develop the model where those taught can teach others in camp settlements, resettlement communities and local organisations.
Having run courses in Bangladesh, Greece, Bulgaria, India, Philippines and Malaysia, we are more convinced that this learning helps refugees regain self-reliance, dignity, well-being, and overall resilience. P4R supports local governance and embraces diversity and grassroots solutions.
Our organisation and global network
P4R consists of a broad global voluntary network with a central committee headed by a facilitator, where representatives from different regions share information and experience through regular meetings. Representatives also work across the networks as needed, and share reports and findings to the facilitator and through shared platforms to the broader network. We are aiming to become a refugee-led organisation.
The regional groups are autonomous and self funding, but all are governed by the permaculture ethics of care and principles of restoration of the environment and society. Regions are broadly grouped according to historic and environmental traits – East Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Asia Pacific.
It is our policy to increase refugee input into the projects which are presently designed by local non-government organisations (NGOs), as well as integrate local citizens in all projects and outcomes for maximum benefits for surrounding areas and societies.
P4R draws on professional people and resources from the global permaculture community and the United Nation (UN), on all continents for shared expertise, for example, incorporating appropriate Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Decade of Ecosystem Restoration.
Knowledge, skills and governance are continually revised and updated in line with world events and disasters, as well as innovations, as are methods and support for local projects.
When it comes to people who have fled conflict regions, refugees, and refugees with disabilities, it is not enough to make sure that they survive, but that they live and thrive as individuals.
Nujeen Mustafa, Refugee Youth Advocate, UNHCR
