Highlights from November and December 2025

Tuesday December 30th, 2025
Leonard Mendonça
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Eco Turismo, Education, Tourism, Volunteering

We close 2025 with purpose, connection and renewed hope

Dear Eco Caminhos community,
We have reached the end of another cycle. It was a year of hard work, deep transformations and unforgettable moments on the farm. The months of November and December brought a special energy: we welcomed volunteers from several countries, strengthened strategic partnerships, participated in important events and completed initiatives that reflect our commitment to environmental regeneration and human development.

Below we share the main events of these last two months of 2025. This is an invitation to close the year with gratitude and to begin 2026 with new dreams and partnerships.

Volunteers Who Inspired the Month

Polish videomakers filming in the agroforestry system while learning permaculture principles at Eco Caminhos.

Next we welcomed Camilla and Giordano from Lugano, Switzerland. Camilla, who has Brazilian roots on her father’s side, and Giordano brought not only audiovisual experience but also a rich multicultural perspective. They will stay for a longer period—three months and two months, respectively—and have already started developing institutional materials that will help expand our international visibility and strengthen our communication with volunteers worldwide.

The presence of these volunteers demonstrated how art and communication are essential tools to expand the reach of regenerative projects.

The first highlight of November was the arrival of Alicja and Miki, a videomaker couple from Poland. During the two weeks they stayed with us, they fully integrated into farm activities. They took part in agroforestry work, learned the principles of natural building up close, and followed the sustainable routine that is part of our daily life. At the same time, they captured everything with sensitivity and skill, producing videos that convey Eco Caminhos’ human and regenerative spirit.

Swiss volunteers embracing with the mountains of Nova Friburgo in the background at Eco Caminhos permaculture farm.

Partnership with the ARAÇÁ Project: Aligning Paths to Regenerate the Atlantic Forest

November was also marked by a very important visit. We received representatives from the ARAÇÁ Project (Atlantic Research and Conservation Alliance) and the HUB Foundation: Luisa Book, Johan Berg, Hannes Dempewolf and Fernando Antonelli. Their presence represented a strategic moment to define the next joint steps.

Representatives from ARAÇÁ Project and Eco Caminhos team discussing regenerative actions in the agroforestry area.

During the visit, we explored the potential for new actions focused on the restoration of the Atlantic Forest. We discussed opportunities to deepen scientific research on the farm, evaluated ways to expand biodiversity monitoring, and exchanged ideas on regenerative solutions capable of creating real transformation throughout the region.

They also had the chance to experience the daily life at Eco Caminhos. They visited our developing agroforestry systems, followed the activities of our volunteers, and observed how we integrate environmental regeneration, hands-on education, and sustainable ecotourism.

Special Week with the Greek Group Wheeling2Help

Large group of Greek volunteers celebrating in front of a natural building with a green roof at Eco Caminhos farm.

Undoubtedly, one of the most vibrant moments of November was the arrival of thirty volunteers from the organization Wheeling2Help, founded in Greece in 2016. The NGO works to inspire young people to take part in social and environmental impact projects around the world, promoting cultural exchange and transformative experiences.

Over an intense week, the group experienced everything that makes Eco Caminhos a unique place. They participated in daily farm activities, including agroforestry tasks, reforestation actions and natural building initiatives. The group’s energy was contagious—full of joy, cooperation and a genuine desire to contribute.

We have great news: another Wheeling2Help group is already confirmed to come to Eco Caminhos in April 2026. This return reinforces the strength of this international partnership and further expands opportunities for cultural exchange and mutual learning.

CASA Project: A Week of Colors, Smiles and Connection

During the Special Week, the CASA Project warmly welcomed the Greek volunteers from Wheeling2Help, who brought color, joy and lots of positive energy to the children served in the Cordoeira and Alto Floresta neighborhoods in Nova Friburgo.

Throughout the week, the group dedicated themselves to painting and revitalizing some of the project’s spaces, transforming the rooms into even more welcoming, vibrant and inspiring environments for daily activities. While working, the volunteers took the opportunity to interact with the children, creating moments of connection, play, cultural exchange and lots of fun.

The presence of the Greek volunteers turned the week into a special and meaningful period for everyone. The children had new experiences, had fun, learned and felt the affection of people who came from far away motivated by the desire to contribute. The result was moving: a visible—but above all human—transformation.

General Assembly of the Ecolibrium Association

Board members of the Ecolibrium Association in a strategic meeting inside a wooden ecolodge with a nature view.

At the beginning of December we held the Extraordinary General Assembly of the Ecolibrium Association, a meeting that symbolized alignment, renewal and institutional strengthening. During the gathering we approved updates to the statute and formalized the new board that will lead our actions in the coming years.

The composition is as follows:

Executive Board

President: Bart Bijen

Vice-President: Izabel Sousa

Financial Director: Hilaine Fernandez

Communications Director: Robson Lessa

Advisory Board: Ilona Szabó de Carvalho, Fausto Amadigi, Yanaê Melo, Guto Azevedo and Letícia Costa Feres.

During the assembly we also reaffirmed our vision of building a region that harmonizes agriculture and life in tune with nature and our mission to teach permaculture, agroforestry and natural building to local and international communities.

It was a strategic and powerful meeting that marks a new moment of maturity for the Association, in pursuit of actions and advances we want to promote in the coming years in our region.

Eco Caminhos at Orange Dialogues, International Dialogue for Regeneration

Also in December, Bart participated in the Rio de Janeiro edition of Orange Dialogues, an event promoted by the Consulate General of the Netherlands in Rio de Janeiro in partnership with Dutcham. During the meeting he presented Eco Caminhos’ work in agroforestry, sustainable tourism and land regeneration, alongside specialists committed to turning sustainability into concrete action.

It was a valuable opportunity to bring international institutions closer to our projects, share real experiences of social impact and broaden the global dialogue on environmental regeneration.

Founder Bart Bijen presenting slides on agroforestry and sustainable tourism solutions at Orange Dialogues event.

Construction of the New Tool Shed in SAF 6

Another important highlight was the progress in building the new tool shed in Agroforestry System 6. The project is being carried out by our volunteer team, led by James, Mirthe and Zita, who started the construction from scratch. The shed is being built using sustainable techniques and natural materials and will be essential to support the expansion of agroforestry systems next year.

The construction symbolizes what we believe in: when practical education, regeneration and collective work meet, ideas turn into structures that remain and inspire.

Engineer and architect volunteers working on a natural house with bamboo structure and cob (clay-straw) walls.

Thanks for 7,000 Followers

Number ``7K`` formed with fresh lettuce and greens harvested from the syntropic garden at Eco Caminhos.

We closed the year celebrating reaching seven thousand followers on Instagram. This milestone represents much more than a number. It proves that the message of regeneration, volunteering and deep connection with nature is reaching more people and gaining momentum in Brazil and around the world.

We are grateful to everyone who follows, shares and is inspired by our work.

Closing 2025 with a full heart and making space for a new cycle

The events of these last months reinforced something essential: sustainability is born from human relationships. Every volunteer, partner, visitor and friend who passed through Eco Caminhos this year left a contribution that will never be forgotten.

The year 2026 is approaching and will bring new projects, new partnerships, new challenges and endless possibilities for positive impact. We are ready to keep building, learning and regenerating, always with you by our side.