Our Belief in Young People as Agents of Change
Ecologia’s work is driven by its vision of a world where all young people can thrive within their communities. We believe the only way to achieve this in a sustainable way, is to enable disadvantaged children and young people to realise their potential and to take an active role in promoting sustainable living all over the world so that they can improve their lives in the long-term. Young people are the most affected by the challenges facing societies around the world. Yet they are also the best placed to find solutions to the most urgent issues affecting them. Together with our partners, we help young people to gain access to the things they need in order to fulfil their potential and become agents of change in their communities.
Our Holistic Approach to Improving the Lives of Young People in the Long-term
As part of the Findhorn Community and in line with our commitment to genuine sustainable development, we support partners who share this commitment to improving the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in a sustainable way. Unlike many development initiatives, which focus primarily on achieving economic and environmental objectives, Ecologia believes that as we face a multitude of threats to the future of our planet, including climate change, resource scarcity, pollution, poverty and inequality, a broader approach which places equal emphasis on economic, environmental, social and cultural objectives is necessary. This approach recognises the interdependence of these four key issues and places a respect for the difference and diversity of individuals, communities, cultures and societies at the centre of our work, while focussing on a common goal – to truly meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Young people need support to become catalysts for change. The projects we support genuinely empower disadvantaged children and young people to become leaders in transforming their communities to more sustainable patterns of living leading to happier, healthier and more meaningful lives for young people around the world.
Our Commitment to Working with Partners
David Dean OBE Therapeutic Education consultant to Kitezh 1999 – 2013
Through our unique place at the heart of the Findhorn Community, we are privileged to be able to connect with organisations and individuals from all over the world who, like us, share the values of the Findhorn Community. These values include respect for all forms of life; respect for each other; non-violence, peaceful conflict resolution and a sense of service to make the world a better place. It is these values and a concern for the future of our children and our environment that is the link between our project partners. Ecologia fosters long-term relationships with our partners because we believe real change takes time and commitment.
Our first ever partnership, with Kitezh Children’s Community, Russia, began over 20 years ago and during that time, Ecologia and Kitezh have made lasting improvements to the lives of many young people with the introduction of a therapeutic approach to education. We continue to work together to support children in Russia who have been orphaned or abandoned and are committed to working with all of our partners in the long-term to help young people reach their potential.
Ecologia Youth Trust is part of the Findhorn Community, an international holistic education centre and United Nations (UN) recognised eco-village, established 50 years ago in Scotland. The Findhorn Eco-village Community is known internationally for its innovative new models for sustainable living, not only in environmental terms, but also in social, economic and spiritual terms.
We also collaborate with The Global Ecovillage Network (GEN), a growing network of communities and ecological initiatives around the world, which share ideas, technologies and information about how to live more socially, economically and environmentally sustainable lives. GEN works in cooperation with a range of international organisations, including the UN and the EU.
Findhorn Ecovillage ©Findhorn Foundation
As part of the Findhorn Community, Ecologia has a wealth of experience in community based approaches to sustainable living, whilst our extensive experience of working with disadvantaged children and young people means we are uniquely placed to support them to find long-term solutions to their problems and those of their communities.
We believe in genuine sustainable development, which values the attainment of economic, environmental, social and cultural objectives equally. Our approach places a respect for the difference and diversity of individuals, communities, cultures and societies at the heart or our work, while focusing on one common goal – to truly meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
