About the European Permaculture Network (EuPN)
The European Permaculture Network (EuPN) is a decentralized, collaborative network across Europe, connecting individuals, organizations, and projects dedicated to permaculture. We embrace Europe as a rich geographic and cultural space, extending beyond political boundaries.
In keeping with teal organization principles, EuPN operates without a formal Vision, Mission, or Aims (VMA), creating space for diverse goals and approaches. This openness allows members to connect freely, fostering organic growth, flexibility, and collaboration in ways that reflect each person’s unique contributions.
Our Purpose
EuPN’s purpose is to connect people within the wide field of permaculture—from local and national associations to projects and individual practitioners. Through shared spaces and community-driven resources, we aim to support learning, growth, and meaningful exchanges across Europe.
Connecting and Sharing
Members can share their profiles, post events and course, and showcase projects or places, creating a network of permaculture practitioners who learn from one another. Quarterly newsletters feature updates contributed by members, providing a shared view of our community’s evolving landscape. Additionally, members can engage in discussions and real-time exchanges, building deeper connections and collective knowledge.
Our Offering
This digital platform is EuPN’s foundation, providing resources, spaces, and opportunities for members to connect, collaborate, and grow. By participating, each member helps build a vibrant, adaptable network that grows organically, fueled by a shared commitment to permaculture values and principles.
We commit to the Digital Permaculture principles.
Structure
We have a low maintenance structure. We believe in the Teal principles:
- Wholeness (come as you are)
- Self-management
- Evolutionary purpose
Who is running the EuPN?
The EuPN is backed by the non-for-profit Vihreä Pourusmäki ry. It is spearheaded by Dominik Jais. Mihaela Tzarchinska and Leo Bakx consult from time to time.
How can I support the EuPN?
- With money: Become a support member of Vihreä Pourusmäki
- With time: Volunteer your time
History
The European Permaculture Institute was originally based in Steyerberg, Germany and managed by Declan Kennedy. In 1996 it moved to Copenhagen, Denmark, to the office of Tony Andersen. In 2006 the Institute was converted into The Permaculture Council for Europe.
- Since 1992, the Permaculture Council has organized 12 European Permaculture Convergences. Meetings of the council have also happened in between these convergences.
- While the council tried to implement democratic procedures of voting for the members of the council, its main work in recent years focused on finding the hosts of the next European Permaculture Convergence (EuPC). There has always been a long “wish list” for what the council could / should be doing but it never had the resources to get this going.
- At the EuPC 2012 in Germany, a large group of people stepped forward as council members – out of which only a very small number of people actually kept the work going.
- During the EuPC in Bulgaria in July 2014, several meetings of council members and other interested people were held to start a process and create a first draft of a „Vision, Mission and Aims“-statement for permaculture in Europe.
- From this, 11 people stepped up to move this statement forward to prepare a strategy for a European Permaculture Network (EuPN) and to create a proposal to go out for review to the existing permaculture organisations in Europe
- 2015 At the IPC London the up to date version of Vision Mission Aims was discussed tweaked and agreed on in an Sociocratic process.
- 2016 At the EuPC in Bolsena the first General Meetings with Real Live and Online Participants was kicking of the Work of The EuPN
- In January 2023 the new EuPN got launched. Focus shifted away from national associations to a wider audience. Also Digital Permaculture came into focus.