O1
Lifelong Learning
Create and promote lifelong learning opportunities for older adults by integrating permaculture education into adult learning, fostering intergenerational exchange, and ensuring accessible, flexible learning pathways.
An Erasmus+ Project · Cyprus & Spain · 2025–2027
Permaculture Education for Resilience and Meaningful Ageing
An Erasmus+ project bringing older adults, youth, and environmental experts together across Cyprus and Spain — to learn permaculture, build community gardens, and reimagine what active ageing can look like.
Explore the PERMA HubA Project for Lifelong Learning and Sustainability
Materia, Permacultura Cantabria, and WECHANGE aim to empower adults by fostering their participation in sustainable practices and community-based learning through the project “PERMA.” By integrating permaculture education into lifelong learning and active ageing, the project promotes social inclusion, environmental awareness, and well-being, ensuring accessible and engaging learning opportunities.
Our Objectives
Three commitments guiding everything PERMA does — from the first workshop to the last festival.
O2
Climate Resilience
Enhance climate resilience and environmental awareness by equipping older adults with knowledge and skills to engage in sustainable practices, local environmental initiatives, and climate-conscious behaviors.
O3
Accessibility & Inclusion
Improve the accessibility and inclusiveness of adult education by developing innovative, flexible learning opportunities that encourage broad participation in lifelong learning.
Why PERMA, Why Now
Europe faces two pressing challenges — an ageing population and environmental sustainability — and the two are deeply connected.
A Continent Growing Older
By 2050, 30% of Europeans will be aged 65 or older. Many older adults face barriers to lifelong learning — limited accessibility, age-inclusive learning models in short supply, and social isolation that affects well-being.
Sources: Eurostat, 2020 · European Skills Agenda, 2024
Cyprus
Life expectancy is projected to reach 84 years for men and 87 for women by 2050. Cyprus is one of the most water-insecure EU countries, affecting food security. Community-based sustainability programmes for older adults remain limited.
Sources: European Commission, 2023 · MDPI, 2023
Spain
The 65+ population will rise to 36.8% by 2050. Rural older adults face social exclusion, while biodiversity loss and desertification risks persist. Few sustainability programmes actively engage older adults and youth together.
Sources: Eurostat, 2023 · OECD, 2024
What PERMA Will Deliver
Measurable commitments across 18 months and two countries.
3
Partner Organisations
Across Cyprus and Spain
4
Intergenerational Workshops
40 participants — 20 older adults + 20 youth
2
Community Permaculture Gardens
1 per country
2
Field Trips
2
Local PERMA Festivals
1 per country
20
Good Practices in EU Database
50,000
People — Dissemination Reach
3
Languages (EN, GR, ES)
18
Months — Project Duration
Three Organisations, One Mission
Materia, Permacultura Cantabria, and WECHANGE bring together expertise in active ageing, sustainability education, and digital outreach.
Materia
AGECARE (CYPRUS) LTD
Nicosia, Cyprus
Active ageing, social inclusion, and lifelong learning — leading project management and quality assurance.
Learn more →Permacultura Cantabria
ACYMPC
Penagos, Spain
Sustainability education, permaculture, and community resilience — leading the training pack and community gardens.
Learn more →WECHANGE
WECHANGE RESEARCH AND OUTREACH LTD
Limassol, Cyprus
Digital education, research, and outreach — leading the PERMA Hub and dissemination strategy.
Learn more →Join the PERMA Community
Become part of a growing network of older adults, educators, and environmental advocates exploring how permaculture and active ageing intersect.