permies in the Balkans

Hello everyone!

I’m starting this thread because I’d love to hear from permies in the Balkans. The reason I’ve chosen this particular region is because I live in Serbia and it’s too expensive for me to travel to faraway countries and participate in permacultural projects there. BUT: I can reach the Balkan countries relatively cheaply by bus or train, so I can volunteer in your place (if you’re already a part of a community or have a household that’s striving towards sustainability/self-sufficiency), or just meet up with you so that we get to know each other better (if you’re trying to start a community and are looking for potential members... or if you’re just thinking about an alternative lifestyle and would love to have someone to discuss it with ).

I’m female, 32, with some WWOOF experience. Feel free to send me a personal message if you want to talk.

All the best, and hope to hear from some of you soon

Good luck Natasa, such a wonderful offer!

Hi Natasa, its good to see people from all around the world here!
Also it is even better to see someone from my region,  alas I hardly know people who are into permaculture....
Though its not like I have searched a lot too, I have my own plans about all that, but I am actually your age and still gathering the financial means for that.
You look like a brave passionate person which is great!

Thanks, guys!

And Borislav - if you ever want to talk about permaculture, your plans for the future or just random stuff, drop me a line. It's inspiring to get in touch with permaculture enthusiasts - who, as you've noticed, aren't very numerous in our area.

How about Abkhazia?

I would love to see more people from all over europe here! If you want, you can come and visit in spring.

Sebastian, thanks for your offer! Right now I'm focusing on the Balkans because travelling to other countries would be much more expensive, but if you want, we can talk about your household/farm/community/whatever it is... Who knows? Maybe you convince me that Abkhazia is just the place that I'm looking for

If you can find a way around the currently closed parts in the Ukraine … it should be fairly affordable. You don't even need a Russian visa (I am jealous)! Maybe there are inexpensive flights from Serbia to Sotchi/Adler?

So far I have not much here … just found a village with people I like and a place I like. Next year a house will need to be build, and the garden needs to be redone from scratch.
For me Abkhazia is the perfect place. It is located between europe, asia and arabic countries. It also has people from those countries. It has the east-european "crazyness", with the relaxedness of the arabic world. A good portion of structures from soviet union still remain (public transport for example).
The nature is amazing, at least where it was not destroyed. Amazing water. Clay for millennia. The climate varies from dry and hot near Georgia, over subtropical warm in Sukhumi, to temperate, yet warm towards Russia. Towards the mountains, the climate is more similar to northern Europe. (The forests here are very similar to those from north Germany – I love those forests!). In the mountains you have alpine climate – lots of snow, and mild summers.

My plan here is to set up infrastructure for more permaculture interested people to come: Hydro-electic power, good internet connection and a school. There is plenty of land to grow things, there is a lot of freedom here.
Then people with knowledge in woodworking, metalworking are needed. I only know the basics.

You seem to have a great plan for the future - and I wish you all the best with it! It's really brave to move to a foreign country and start building up everything pretty much from scrath. I'm glad you found the place and people you like - those two things are crucial. Was it hard obtaining all the necessary documents in order to buy land, get a visa/residence permit/whatever?

Getting a visa is the easiest part. A residence permit isn't a problem either. Buying land is not possible unless you have an Abkhazian passport. So the property will be owned by a local friend until it is possible to get a passport.

Cool. It's good to know that.

Greetings from Bulgaria.

I bought a 3-acre property last year and I'm making my first steps into creating a partially edible forest. My goal is to prove that agroforestry works.

I'd love to communicate with other enthusiasts from the Balkans.

*bump*

Any new permies from the Balkans on these forums?

@Nastasa -- I just made a similar post.  I'm an American in Serbia.  I'm married and living in an apartment (near Novi Sad, formerly Belgrade) with my husband and child.  So, not really looking to travel around and volunteer right now, and we do not currently have access to land, however.... I'm looking for people to begin to connect with locally.  Maybe there are some permaculture enthusiasts that have sprung up here in the past 2 years? :D Cheers!  

Hi Marlene,

I haven't travelled or volunteered for a while either, nor actively thought about permaculture. I'll send you in a personal message (because I'm not sure one is allowed to put links here) some links to places that may not necessarily be built on permaculture principles, but which aim at sustainable/eco-friendly living.

@Natasa - Sounds good!

I make permaculture in Bulgaria near Ihtiman.

@ Natasa:
We are in Sinagovtsi, near Vidin by the Serbian and Romanian border. Years ago i started this place with little money and little resources, but with a lot of love. Our project "Merope", is to build a place where people can rediscover the healing powers of Nature. We live on 6400m2 by a dam lake, on the forest edge. Permaculture and vegetable gardens are a part of the dream, we are also renovating guestrooms, wish to make an outdoor kitchen and shower this year, build out the vision for the place. There is an option to settle as a part of the community, that would mean building your own dome/cabin or something like that in or around the property.
We would love to meet like-minded people, welcome people as volunteers or simply part of the community. Unfortunately, we can't yet provide food for anyone who joins, so we ask a contribution of about 3,5euro's a day for the food costs.  
I would love to see you here. I am about the same age as you and am kinda missing the presence of a woman at the moment, living with 2 male friends :) I think it would be great to meet.
PM if you wish to exchange some contacts.

@Lyubomir:
Where is your property for the food forest located?Is it currently grass lands or wood lands? I would love to hear about the plans, and kinda interested to get a chance to be more involved or to work on a food forest garden, as i still lack practical skills for this...

Sent you a message

Hi Natasha,

I am a man from Thessaloniki Greece. In the next months i am searching and also
planning to be a member or to a create an intentional community.
I am fan of collectivism, cooperativism, ecology, no state, no school, no stereotyps and rules.
Stay in touch! Your thoughts and your intentions are really inspired!
Keep going!

Hi Antonis,

Your plans and your value system sound great! You can PM the links to the places that you're going to visit. I haven't been to Greece and I'm not sure if I'll travel anywhere this year, but once the pandemic subsides, I'll probably continue exploring places.