Participation

forms | participation fee | gear... | Info about the camp and venue | the gathering


Forms - REGISTRATION IS FINISHED

We would like to encourage all Ecotopia participants to register because we would like to put the programme together and to know approximately how many people are coming. Also, it is important to register to receive additional information - once you register, you will be added to the Ecotopia mailing list.


 

Participation Fee

The fee is 5 ecos per day. This is just to cover the food costs, which will be similar to the food costs in your own country.
Ecorates (or Ecos) are result of the Ecorates system, an alternative economic system developed by EYFA, based on living standards and income of people rather than financial markets.

To get an idea of how much your participation fee will be, have a look at the 2007 table.


 

Gear...

There are a few things that is wise to take with you:

Necessary:
A tent, a sleeping bag, a camping mattress, own plate and cup, cutlery (knife, fork and spoon), torch and batteries, bike (if you want), clothes for warm weather, and maybe some clothes for raining (we never know with climate change..), swimsuit, camping needs (eco washing powder, toothpaste, soap and shampoo) and sun protection creme.

Nice:
Musical instruments, photos and videos to be screened, leaflets and infos from your projects, campaigns, anything you might want for workshops and actions ...

Not to bring:
Cars or other motor vehicles, bad mood and prejudices. If you have dogs, please do not bring them. We have had a lot of problems about this in previous years and we don't want them to be repeated.


 

Info about the venue and camp

During Ecotopia for two weeks there will be many people living together in a sustainable environment. To make this possible we have made some guidelines. The base of the guideline is that we take account on each other and the environment we live in. That we all realise we are living in a sustainable environment. To make this environment possible we need a certain sustainable attitude.

Fire, fireplaces and smokers:
The camp will be a non-smoking camp (fire danger!) and there will be smoking areas. Also we cannot make fireplaces or using camping-gas or things like that due to the huge risk of fire.

Safety and First Aid
There will be a central First Aid Point and 2 medics who will be available to give medical support. But don't forget that in the first place your health will be your own responsibility.

Sea
The nearest beach is about 7 km. Pay attention to the lifeguard instructions when you swim.

Smoking
In Portugal open fire is forbiden during the summer and according to this the area of the camp will be "non smoking zone". We will organize smoking zone where smoking will be allowed.

Heat & Water
August is the warmest season in Portugal. And Algarve is the warmest region.
Stay out of the sun as much as possible and use protective crème. Sunstrokes and sunburns can be dangerous.
In case of extreme heat it is important to drink enough water (about one or two liters a day).
There is drinkable water available. Please keep in mind that this is a precious gift, so we must do a rational use of it.

Cars, caravans etc.
On and near the Ecotopia venue, there will be no space for parking cars, caravans and campers. We expect you not to bring any vehicles to Ecotopia. If you want to stay at Ecotopia it is best to come with public transport or bicycle and to sleep in a tent. If you want to come with a car, parking of the car will be your own responsibility.

Children Playground
There will be a special Playground for children during Ecotopia. But note that the organisation of Ecotopia doesn't feel responsible for taking care of your children. Parents have the responsibility to take care of their children. It is possible to try to organize the
babysitting shifts during Morning Circles every morning.
Please contact: Mojca Sajko to help organize Children Playground.

Drugs & Alcohol
Ecotopia works on the basis of participation and creation of a sustainable community. In order to do so, the day is filled with workshops, debates, activities and some chores. To create this atmosphere, we ask Ecotopians not to use alcohol during the day time. We
also ask you not to sell or use any drugs during the gathering because, we as organizers, could get into big trouble with the public authorities if it happens.

Info Point
There will be an info-point next to the registration point, where you can leave info-material about your organisation, actions, collectives, campaign, projects,...


 

The gathering

Probably you are curious about how the camp will be; maybe, just maybe, the best would be to be surprised. But as several people is asking, we will try to give you an image. Please don´t forgot that this image can change since we all will be building Ecotopia every day, bit by bit!

The campsite will have, before everything a participants reception area, where you can make your registration and where you will change the ECOS for meals tickets, regarding to the days that you will stay in Ecotopia. Besides the reception, there will be a camping area, a dining area and a recreational area . A number of temporary structures (ecobuildings) will be built for cooking (solar oven, and bread oven), dining, sleeping, meetings and workshops. Showers and compost toilets will be provided. Accommodation will be in tents (that each participant should bring) or in tipis (or other solution) for people who don't have a possibility to bring a tent. All energy requirements will be provided by solar and wood, we will try it as much as possible. In the spot also exist a water well that will be working with a solar pump.

You can see the campsite on this map.(don´t forget the zoom!)
Healthy and delicious vegetarian food is available each day. The vegetables will be grown either onsite or by local organic farmers. On the local, maybe will have some people selling their homegrown fruit or fair trade products, it depends on who comes or not.
Each day begins with a morning circle. Here the days' activities be they workshops, actions, recreational activities or important housekeeping information and requirements are announced. People volunteer to help out with various chores, e.g. collecting firewood, picking herbs and vegetables, cooking, cleaning and so on. Workshop coordinators will also give one minute introductions to their workshops. Decisions at the morning circle and throughout the whole camp are made by consensus.

Non - workshop daytime activities available include walking, orienteering, cycling, rammed hearth house building. We expect that several groups can leave the site every few days to participate in activities and to help out with local community projects such as a beach or forest clean ups.

The campsite is about 15 minutes walking from the village, and there you can find many things that you can do, among them visit the castle. Not so far, you have lots of beautiful beaches, being the closest one about 7km from the campsite. In the village you also will find a pharmacy and a health office.

In the evenings, happens the “entertainments circle", you get the chance to wind down and perform or enjoy, various performances: music, dance, drumming, street theatre and circus in the great outdoors. This is a great opportunity for discovering some ancient customs and traditions of different cultures around Europe. Some movies will also be project in the site or in the village.

Children are welcome and you will find a special place for them in Ecotopia!