Imagine an Eco Club in every community

IMAGINE AN ECO CLUB IN EVERY COMMUNITY

What if every local community had access to a program where people of all ages and backgrounds could explore hands-on sustainability, develop practical skills, and connect with others?

Welcome to OUR Eco Club PROJECTS.

An open, flexible offer that brings local people together to learn, make, grow, and repair. At the heart of every Eco Club is a simple idea: hands-on projects that support green and digital skills, strengthen communities, and make a real difference.

IMAGINE YOUR COMMUNITY DOING THINGS LIKE THIS:

Building birdhouses while introducing CNC tools and laser cutters
Sowing vegetables and flowers together, followed by a plant identification workshop using apps and traditional guides
Sewing evenings with upcycled materials and digital embroidery machines
Repair workshops including 3D printers
Designing and testing DIY wildlife cameras to enable local schools to observe birds
Photo workshops supporting the sale or exchange of unused items in second-hand markets

Every project connects sustainability with technology – ranging from simple digital tools to more advanced maker techniques.

Our communities in Portugal, Spain and Germany love it. The activities typically last around two hours, involve all generations, and are co-developed with local partners such as makers, municipal employees, artists, scientists, farmers, teachers, and social workers. These collaborations open up barrier-free local spaces and make it easy for everyone to take part.

Why It Matters

Eco Clubs empower people with skills and purpose, from basic composting to digital planning. They mix analog and digital tools in creative ways, making learning inclusive and engaging.

KEY GOALS OF ECO CLUB PROJECTS

[1] Encourage green & digital literacy through hands-on experiences

[2] Unite diverse people around shared, meaningful activities

[3] Build resilient, regenerative communities with a long-term vision

THE RESULT?

Diverse locals collaborate, share knowledge, plan upcoming projects and take small but powerful steps toward a more sustainable future.

Local Roots,

European Reach,

Since spring 2024, Eco Clubs have taken root in Germany, Spain, and Portugal – through the Erasmus+ collaboration of our three organisations: FabLab Cuenca, FabLab Buinho and Saliko Studio.

We’ve seen firsthand: the concept works. People of all ages join. They like the mix of old and new. And they suggest new activities.

The format scales well, from school projects to community festivals. Even local politicians invite Eco Clubs to public events.

How It Works

Each Eco Club starts with local dialogue. We invite residents to co-create: What do they want to build, grow, repair, learn? Ideas are developed together – with expert input, digital support, and hands-on materials.

We use digital tools to stay connected – shared folders, messenger groups, mood boards, online plans. Participants get used to new tools without pressure.

Some start with planting; others dive into coding open-source wildlife cameras. Everyone has something to contribute.

Positive Impact in Action

Eco Clubs make sustainability visible through a variety of hands-on activities. Upcycling and reuse extend the life of everyday objects, while permaculture projects enhance biodiversity on both small and large scales.

Repair workshops not only reduce waste but also encourage intergenerational collaboration. Bird and bat shelters equipped with DIY cameras raise awareness of local species and foster community pride.

Textile bunting made from scrap fabric provides sustainable decoration for events, and urban greening initiatives inspire even those with tiny balconies to grow herbs and flowers.

Together, these small actions add up – creating positive social, ecological, and emotional impact.

From Local Ideas to a European Movement

Eco Clubs are practical and easy to set up in Fab Labs, schools, neighborhoods, farms, or community spaces. Their scalable design allows them to adapt to different cultures, languages, and levels of available resources.

Most importantly, Eco Clubs are inclusive, welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds.

We are currently developing ecoclubprojects.eu as a digital resource hub where you’ll soon find everything you need to get started. Like detailed project guides, open-source files and printable plans, and our favorite Eco Club moments.

What’s Next?

The long-term vision is clear: Imagine a Europe where every town or district has an Eco Club. An Eco Club that fosters connection, learning, and climate-friendly habits through a variety of exciting projects.

We’re here to support that vision with an open, replicable model. Join us, adapt it, remix it. Whether you’re an educator, local activist, policymaker, Fab Lab, or just curious – there’s a place for you in the Eco Club movement.

Let’s make sustainability hands-on, community-powered, and part of everyday life.