by Salomón Espinoza
Constellations galloping across the universe’s meadow — their steps leave trails in time, decorating with their silence the space where life happened on a small planet, and gifted us a reunion in the heartland of Brazil.
Beyond borders, beyond cultures, beyond our individual stories… we connected. And how beautiful it is to say again: we connected.
Once more, it was love that brought us together — playful, mysterious love that opens new doors and pathways. We came from so many places across the planet. Each of us could probably write an entire book about what it took to arrive at this Ecoversities Gathering: the decisions made, the sleepless nights preparing, the relationships that held us, the challenges that became our teachers, the blessings that pushed us forward. And further back still, our life journeys — the long road our hearts have traveled to reach a place we now call home: Brazil.
“We go slowly, because we are going far.”
Mayan proverb
What is being woven in the alliance?
“An invitation to root our actions in the local.”
Alessandra Pomarico
Italy — La Universidad Free Home
“To return water where there was once water, to return food where food once grew.”
Ché-vanni Beon Davids
South Africa — Re-Imagined Learning Communit
Are we truly aware of the power held in the art we co-create together?
Art touches the deepest fibers of our being, awakening distant universes, stirring the soul, and reminding us of life’s mystery — like a bird returning to its nest. This is an ovation to the art that lives and breathes in the Ecoversities weavings, and in particular to Unikebradas, where creativity flows like water and storytelling heals.
With hearts wide open, we were welcomed into the homes of:
Susana Nory, Bianca Najara,Cacá Simas, Tina Costa, and Giselle Paulino of Unikebradas;
Hermes de Sousa of NUA, the artisan of love;
Claudia Mattos and Syd of Espaço ZYM;
Claudinho, Mónica, and Fabio Miranda of Instituto Favela da Paz;
Bianca Suyama, Nelson Vilaronga;
Maria Agraciada, Clara Luz, and Stella of Instituto Etno;
Flor das Águas and all the families and youth of the broader Brazilian ecoverse community.
A big thanks to each one of their hearts!
August 2024 – Brazil
The co-creation team began arriving in Brazil — day by day, dream by dream. After months of visioning, planning, and organizing with both local and international teams, the dream materialized at Flor das Águas. This sacred home welcomed more than 100 folks from 30+ territories and nations from around the world for the Planetary Gathering.
We shared together for five days like a big family. We reconnected with brothers and sisters to whom we have only seen through a screen, or because of distance we couldn’t meet each other. It became a grand party, to re-energize our hearts, dive into the magic of Brazil and revitalize our purpose with hope, love and commitment.
Where does the dream of the Ecoversities Alliance
truly become real?
In each and every person who makes up this tapestry. In each unique journey — now held more fully by new brothers and sisters walking life together.
In the alliance’s living history: it has been 10 years since the first steps with Udi and Kelly. Today, we are more than 10,000 (re)learners of life across the planet — living, co-creating, reimagining, birthing, unveiling, and trusting in new paths forged through relationships.
Up next, you’ll find 4 interviews and 6 short recordings from the 2024 Planetary Gathering in Brazil — a glimpse into what flourishes when we come together.
What is flourishing within the alliance?
What do we dream of for the next 3 years?
Ana Predescu, Romania
Learnity — Romania
Learnity is an urban ecoversity in Bucharest committed to self-directed and meaningful learning. It offers a space where young people and adults can explore their passions, learn collaboratively, and design their own educational paths. Looking toward 2025, Learnity dreams of expanding its network of transformative learning in Eastern Europe, inviting more youth into open, non-hierarchical learning.
“Something that I would like to see more (…) is people connecting their project to each other (….), I can definitely learn a lot for my project from other people.”
Fabiano Porto, Brazil
Instituto Regeneração Global — Brazil
This institute promotes the awakening of a new humanity through connection with nature, self-knowledge, and collective transformation. Using regenerative technologies, immersive experiences, and conscious leadership, they build bridges between inner and outer worlds. Their vision: resilient communities that influence public policy through local wisdom.
“More minds to think, more hearts to feel.”
Jessica Sant Ana, Brazil
Instituto Favela da Paz — Brazil
From São Paulo’s heart, this initiative blends music, permaculture, technology, and spirituality to create a living lab for peace in the favela. They aim to share their methodologies globally, planting seeds of transformation through community and regenerative education.
“The more I connect with people from different countries (…) the more I connect with myself. It feels almost like a manifestation of what I feel — in the form of people.”
Alessandra Pomarico, Italy
Free Home University — Italy
Rooted in art and community, FHU in Lecce is a radical space of learning and co-living. Through residencies and intercultural dialogue, they foster a pedagogy of care, imagination, and listening. They dream of strengthening ties with movements and wisdoms from the Global South.
“We have found a way to be together and to share our knowledges.”
What do these voices reveal about the movement?
We dream about spreading and amplifying, through actions, exchanges, cooperation, and deep and meaningful relationships, the nature of the alliance throughout our planet. Our diversities can co-exist, the connection can be real, autonomy is tangible in each one of our communities, and we are rooted in the realization of our shared path as humans with the entire planet.
10 years is a major milestone: full of learning, mistakes, composting, listening deeply, and weaving every thread with love.
This year, we honor the abundance of the garden we have tended together. And we invite more projects, initiatives, and courageous hearts of all colors and realities to walk with us. To walk with a planetary alliance where many worlds can flourish together.
Keep these stories alive and growing
Your contribution to our fundraising campaign for our 10th year anniversary supports hundreds of initiatives around the world — and helps keep the dream alive for future generations.
Donate here
Learn more about the campaign
big thanks to all the ecoversities alliance network!
