Community Café — Youth Participation Activity under Erasmus+
On July 19th, 2025, Catfarm Ecovillage hosted a Community Café Open Day, welcoming neighbours, the community and curious visitors to spend a summer day exploring art, sustainability and community life.
The event was part of an Erasmus+ Youth Participation Activity programme co-financed by the European Union. It was initiated by Anna, Ciska, and Noémie after their Erasmus+ mobility experience “Storytelling for Change” at Sunseed Desert Technology (Spain) earlier this year. Inspired by their learning journey, they brought the idea to Catfarm with the intention of opening the space to the local community and sharing a vision for a regenerative present and future.
In the days leading up to the event, Catfarm volunteers prepared the space collectively. Common areas were deep cleaned, shared spaces were arranged, and posters designed by Ari Lótus were printed and distributed across neighbouring villages and towns.
On the day itself, facilitators, cooks and a photographer worked together to ensure the event flowed smoothly and felt welcoming for everyone who arrived.
A Day of Food, Learning and Creativity
The programme began with a hearty breakfast, creating a relaxed atmosphere for guests to connect and get to know one another. This was followed by a guided tour led by Dara, Nico and Helo, who introduced Catfarm’s projects and aspirations, from ecobuilding initiatives to the syntropic gardens at Catau.
Lunch was fully vegan and prepared collectively by volunteers, offering visitors a direct experience of Catfarm’s shared food culture and daily practices.
In the afternoon, conversations unfolded in the shade around themes of community, resilience and ecological responsibility. Blu, Tia and Nicole facilitated an art workshop using natural pigments, inviting participants to experiment with earth-based colours. Tia, textile artist in residence, also shared her upcycled fashion work and spoke about sustainability and creative reuse.
Later, Helo guided a meditation session on the terrace, offering a moment of calm and reflection. The day concluded with a spontaneous jam session that brought everyone together through music and shared presence.
Looking Ahead
Participants expressed how much they valued the experience and shared that they would like initiatives like this to happen more often.
The Community Café event strengthened the connection between Catfarm and the surrounding community, planting seeds for a regenerative future. 🌿
