Regenerar 2026

Regenerar 2026: Thriving Soil and Culture across Generations

Location of activities and scope

Golegã, Portugal, Local

Strand 3 – Deploy innovative, creative and participatory methodologies for engaging citizens in soil protection and preservations

 

Executive Summary

The project Regenerar 2026 engages citizens in soil protection and regeneration in Golegã and surrounding region, in the core of Portugal. Created to raise soil literacy, foster behavioural change and strengthen community ties around Soil, the project promotes innovative school regenerative market gardens, a university ambassadors’ program, a community network of regenerative farmers, a Guide with evidence-based practices, and a free e-learning platform with courses on soil protection and regeneration; engaging several generations, from schoolchildren to elderly farmers, from the local to the wider community. A central event held in April 2026 brought together science, art, and community action, offering hands-on experiences, participatory opportunities and cultural performances. Among the expected outcomes are increased soil awareness and literacy, stronger networks of practice, production of accessible resources, and long-term community engagement in soil care and regeneration.

Motivation Statement

For us, at Fundação Mendes Gonçalves, soil is a living foundation that sustains life, nourishes people, and connects ecosystems and communities. It is more than a resource: it is memory, culture, the heritage of those who came before us and the legacy we commit to future generations. Soil embodies resilience, biodiversity, and regeneration, reminding us of the deep purpose that guides our work: care. Care for people, care for nature, and care for the possibilities of tomorrow. To protect and regenerate soil is to nurture healthier food systems, stronger communities, and a more sustainable planet. It is one of the main pillars of the Foundation and its mission: Nurturing Futures, Regenerating Legacies.

Find out more about Regenerar 2026

REGENERAR_summary (application/pdf - 690.502 Ko)
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Learning and practical resources

The project has developed a set of practical and accessible resources to support soil protection, regeneration and knowledge sharing. These include an evidence-based guide, Regenerar com Evidência, aimed at farmers, practitioners and other interested audiences, a free Portuguese-language e-learning course on Regenerative Forest Gardens, with English subtitles planned and Field Diaries and educational materials designed to support the continued implementation and replication of Regenerative Market-Gardens in schools and other contexts. The resources are available to help extend the project’s learning and encourage its application beyond the original project activities.

REGENERAR lasting resources

E-learning platform in Portuguese
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Regenerative Market-Gardens in schools in Portuguese
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Practical guide on soil protection and regeneration in Portuguese
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Field diary in Portuguese (application/pdf - 13340.355 Ko)
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Living the Soil Leaflet in Portuguese (application/pdf - 265899.408 Ko)
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Meet the Project Team

Fundação Mendes Gonçalves (FMG)

Fundação Mendes Gonçalves is a Foundation based in the small rural village of Golegã, in centre region of Portugal, with the mission “Nurturing Futures, Regenerating Legacies”.

Our main three pillars of intervention are:
• Educate: caring, through quality education, ensuring that all children have equitable opportunities to grow, learn and flourish;
• Nurture: caring, through healthy nutrition and food security, enabling all individuals to adopt healthy lifestyles and experience well-being;
• Regenerate: caring, through the regeneration of soils and biodiversity, so that the planet and communities have a better future.

The Foundation has a team experienced in community engagement, project management, communication, public policy and impact assessment, complemented by a network of consultants and by its governing bodies: Board of Directors, Executive Board, Board of Trustees and Financial Auditor, who, together bring technical, scientific and strategic expertise and enable the Foundation to strengthen its capacity for intervention.

Contact – Quaiela Costa

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Fundação Mendes Gonçalves (FMG)