Tech, Crafts & Arts

Marinko Nenadović Vranić

Workshop holder

Marinko Nenadović Vranić is the co-founder of Croatian NGOs Ars.Polis and Zelenput, with over 20 years of experience in leading local-based projects in non-governmental sector. Drawing on his strong organisational and IT skills, he has successfully managed and implemented projects that foster deeper connections between the people and the land. Marinko is also the creator of #ZELENPUT – Independent Social Network, which is designed to support regenerative culture and strengthen local networks.

Workshop title

#ZELENPUT - Independent Social Network

In this exhibition, guests will be able to take a peek inside the #ZELENPUT – Independent Social Network through a dedicated account.
#ZELENPUT is a full-featured social network run by Croatian NGO, dedicated to connecting people with the idea of sustainability as part of everyday life and providing an alternative to mainstream social networks. This means no bots, no ads, and manual confirmation of each registered member.
One of the leading features of the network is the member map with (approximate) registered locations of members, aimed to encourage the transitional process and easier, more focused real-life connections between likeminded people.

Ulla Antolos

Co-facilitator

Ulla Antolos is the co-founder of Zelenput, a Croatian NGO dedicated to promoting regenerative culture within the local community in the region of Istria. The activities of the NGO include workshops that promote the approaches of deep ecology (e.g. Marko Pogačnik’s geaculture) and local-indigenous knowledges, such as the use of wild herbs. Actively engaged in networking with the networks such as YTS and SEEEN, she fosters connections that emphasize sustainable living and community resilience.

Erika Magyar

Workshop holder

I am a decorwall painter, my works adorn the walls of various interior spaces, which I create with environmentally friendly materials. Each design wall is a unique artistic creation, unrepeatable and personalized. My task is to help people create a magical atmosphere in the place where they spend most of their time. With the unique wall painting designed for the given space, I can express who they are through colors, different materials and shapes.

Workshop title

Decorative wall - Decorative surface treatment with natural materials

The workshop provides an insight into the style trends and techniques of decorative walls, we talk about the harmonious use of colors, we learn about the types of natural lime and clay decorative plasters and paints containing minerals, you can try out special decorative tools, devices, and accessories, with which anything from a mirror-smooth shiny marble surface to a tumbled, authentic, rustic stone effect can be achieved. Within the style features, the only limit to the form is your imagination.

Péter Földi

Co-facilitator

I am engaged in the renovation and decoration of natural clay houses. One of my motivations...dare I say missions...is to share examples of natural homes that demostrates the utter beauty that is achievable. Trying to bust the myth that building naturally inherently means compromising on aesthetics! It absolutely does not mean compromise! In fact, natural homes are often built with more care, offer improved energy efficiency, and provide healthier spaces.

Neus Valls

Workshop holder

Neus Valls joined the community of Los Portales in 1995 attracted by Jungian work on dreams and personal development. She currently manages the garden and the European projects. She actively participates in the different interventions for the regeneration of the farm's ecosystem (200 ha) to improve its balance, attract more biodiversity and stop the desertification process that threatens the south of Spain.

Workshop title

Regeneration of an ecosystem in an arid and dry region

We present the different interventions that we are carrying out on our 200 ha Los Portales farm: Línea Clave, Holistic Management, rainwater retention, reforestation, Biochar, soil mulching, orgone devices… The aim of these interventions is to cooperate with the ecosystem to restore the quality and fertility of its soil, increase its biodiversity and forest mass, favouring changes that counteract the consequences of climate change, reducing soil erosion and runoff, increasing its humidity, nourishing the water table with rainwater, introducing species resistant to drought and extreme heat, among others.

Charlie Lenglez

Co-facilitator

Born in Belgium, Charlie Lenglez was introduced, at the age of 20, to the Jungian psychology and co-founded in Spain the Los Portales community, along with his “soul family ». Passionate about dreamwork, he was trained in Sociocracy. He was coordinator of the Iberian ecovillage network for 6 years and a member of the Council of GEN Europe for 3 years. He’s deeply convinced of our responsibility as “guardians of the Planet” and of the importance of co-creating with all terrestrial dimensions.

Viertl Virág Katinka

Workshop holder

I have been living in the Visnyeszéplak eco-village for 22 years, where preserving tradition and living in nature have inspired my handicrafts. As a craftsman, I design textiles, make unique clothes, feel with wool, weave and spin, and I also deal with natural plant dyeing. I currently sell my hand-painted clothes.

Workshop title

Textile Decoration with Motifs

In my workshop I will demonstrate drawing on painted canvas and you can try it, which is a “modern” version of wax batik. We fill a contouring applicator with a liquid that has a bleaching effect and use it to draw on the clothes, so to remove the color, which is why I also call it “batik in reverse” 🙂
and you can also try out traditional embroidery techniques, which I would be happy to show you.

Nina Kozin

Workshop holder

For as long as I can remember, my heart and passion have been devoted to architecture: shaping the spaces between and around us. After completing my Master’s in Architecture in 2008, I worked in various architectural offices across the world (Slovenia, Spain, Austria, China,...). A deep curiosity to understand the complex systems that make up the field of architecture led me off the conventional path to study permaculture, natural materials, eco-villages, nonviolent communication, and the somatic wisdom carried by our bodies. I weave these threads into my current practice, guiding people to discover and implement the necessary structures (physical, mental, emotional, energetic, and spiritual) that support the most authentic vision of their lives.

Workshop title

Alternative approaches to architecture

The workshops starts with an interactive exploration with the participants on the basic concepts related to architecture. Nina will offer her insights from 25 years of experience in the building industry, followed by reflections on alternative approaches focused on the well-being of everyone and everything involved in the processes.
In the second part, Nora will share her own story of how we go from dreams to realization, the difficulties and challenges from planning to building a home completely off grid, using natural materials such as straw, adobe, wooden logs. She will continue then with a guided meditation, settling into the body, being present then follow with an interactive sharing, discussion.

Berczi Nora

Co-facilitator

I am a GP, homeopath, bowen, craniosacral, water therapist. I took the permaculture design course 3 years ago. I am interested in eco-architecture and healthy living. I am in the process of founding an eco-community. This year, from April, I started building a completely off grid green roofed, reciprocal straw bale insulated, adobe yurt house and a natural lake on my land in the countryside. Many parts of the construction will be open, and I am looking for volunteers from all over the world.

Gergő Bognar

Workshop holder

My name is Gergő Bognár, and I am an electrical engineer by profession. In my work, I have always focused on finding creative yet simple solutions to the challenges that arise. I currently live in a yurt set up in the middle of a forest. My deep connection to nature has transformed every aspect of my life — including my professional interests. At present, I am engaged in exploring simple, gentle, and moderate off-grid energy usage and distribution solutions.

Workshop title

Priority-Based Operation for Off-Grid Solar Systems

How can we ensure smart and efficient energy use in off-grid environments? Participants will get an inside look at a work-in-progress project that groups electrical consumers based on power consumption, importance, and frequency of use, offering a strategy to optimize limited energy resources. At the core of the concept is a three-tiered smart electrical network:
– High-voltage: Intended to operate only when solar absorption is high (e.g., water pumps)
– Middle-voltage: Designed for general daily usage, to be disabled under low battery conditions
– Low-voltage: Planned to remain active even when battery levels are low

Antal Kósa / Antardhi Dasa

Workshop holder

I have been living in Krishna Valley since 1995. I am involved in cow protection and ox training. I do many useful jobs with oxen. In addition, I am involved in the research, application, development and preservation of traditional oxen work and tools.

Workshop title

Ox-power house / Old Techniques in the Modern Age

The Ox-power house was built in the Krishna Valley 3 years ago. There are two things in focus:
– grain processing (soil preparation, sowing, harvesting, threshing, seed cleaning, grinding)
– wood processing (firewood splitting, cutting, transportation)
The Ox-power house is a completely environmentally friendly technology, no diesel fuel is used, no electrical energy is used. The work of the oxen is used to operate rotary machines through a converter. In addition to grain processing and cutting firewood, water pumping or even electricity generation is also possible.

Fanni Sall

Workshop holder

I am an artist who has lived in an eco-community since 2014. I am exploring the regenerative role, and bounderies of art, currently focused on connection to places, and practicing presence. I am a council carrier, currently starting on the path of becoming a Way of Council facilitator.

Workshop title

We will meet under the tree

The art installation is a place for physically collecting stories of participants about their connection to the earth, important trees, land, or wounded places in their lives. The installation will provide a place for sharing circles related to this topic, focused on the council practice. It can be a venue, or starting point of nature connection exercises.

Zsuzsanna Szabo

Workshop holder

As an economist, I have been making soap since 2015, exclusively using the hot process. I prefer natural, biodegradable ingredients and the use of herbs. I have been holding workshops for 10 years, showing the secrets of making and designing boiled soap. I sell in two countries in a webshop and in person at fairs.

Workshop title

Making natural soap using the hot process

We select and measure the ingredients. We melt oils/butters. We dissolve lye. We mix these at a specific temperature and heat them in a slow cooker. When the chemical process has taken place (1-2 hours), we color the mass, scent it, and shape it. After it has cooled, we slice it and it can be used immediately. In the meantime, I will share all the theoretical information with the participants.

Bihari Ádám

Workshop holder

Architect, founder and president of the Sárkollektíva, later the Association of Environmentally Conscious Builders, owner-manager and architect of the NaturARCH group. I believe that truly sustainable architecture is based on natural and locally available materials. I'm committed to our Hungarian vernacular architecture, its construction culture and its sensual but rational way of thinking. I work to bring this traditional culture to contemporary architecture.

Workshop title

3D-printed Earthen Architecture

There is a lot of untapped potential in the use of natural building materials with 3D-printing technology. The presentation focuses on the concept of vertical load-bearing walls from 3D-printed adobe, a widely available material, almost costless and environmentally friendly.
We will present a recent case study which used 3D-printed adobe to build a chicken coop and a pavilion building with four rounded walls, discussing material composition and vapour management. We will also present a next-level pilot project that aims to make 3D printing of adobe houses a widely available construction and building alternative within a few years.

Péter Kovács

Workshop holder

I'm Péter Kovács from Hungary, and i'm a blacksmith mostly making tools for traditional professions like agriculture, forestry, basket weaving, carpentry, etc. As there's a great demand for it now, i'm teaching scythe mowing and maintenance. Our passion as a family is environmental education, we're organizing programs, leading hikes and showing our visitors how to live and work in harmony with nature, as part of the landscape. We're based in Kisszékely, Tolna county.

Workshop title

Scything and more. Traditional hand tools with new purposes

I’d love to share my knowledge about traditional Hungarian hand tools and both their still relevant original and new purposes in 21st century ecological farming. This knowledge is the result of a lot of research, trials and errors, and the experiences of those (farmers, shepherds, woodworkers, basket weavers etc.) who use these tools everyday.
I’m showing old artisanal hand tools in action, that were proven to be useful in new, alternative ways of gardening. I’m forging these ancient tools, which were used 100-200 years ago by shepherds, farmers, viticulturists, truffle hunters and foresters. I am showing tools for planting, weeding, extracting roots, foraging, basket weaving, herb cutting.

Peter Bánik

Workshop holder

I’m based in the village of Kisszekely, Hungary, where I manage a farm guided by permaculture principles. Passionate about composting, animal husbandry, and soil regeneration, I explore regenerative practices like biochar to cultivate a resilient, sustainable ecosystem. I believe that truly sustainable architecture is based on natural and locally available materials. I'm committed to our Hungarian vernacular architecture, its construction culture and its sensual but rational way of thinking. I work to bring this traditional culture to contemporary architecture.

Workshop title

Biochar. Backyard Carbon Capture

A practical workshop exploring biochar, an ancient Indigenous Amazonian method for building soil and capturing carbon. We are going make a batch of char using a simple method while talking about biochar’s role in enhancing soil fertility, sequestering carbon, supporting regenerative gardening practices and its other practical uses.

"I became more aware of the concept of ecovillages and how they embody principles of collaboration, self-sufficiency, and sustainability. Seeing how individuals can come together to create supportive, environmentally friendly communities made me appreciate the potential for positive change. I realized that living in harmony with both people and nature is not just an ideal but a feasible lifestyle.”
ESC Volunteer