• ZmAg

Zelena Mreža Aktivističkih Grupa

Tuesday, 14 June 2005

Dražen Šlimlesa

• Email: zmag@zmag.hr

  Web: http://www.zmag.hr/

Format: Talk with Power Point presentation and short DVD.

Summary

This project is a group of 5 people from Zagreb who are learning, implementing and teaching Permaculture principles from a 1 hectare piece of land, 20km south of Zagreb.

Key Points

• The name of the farm is Zmag, which means recycled.
• The proximity to Zagreb is crucial as they are dependent on it for work and resources. They are also a short distance from the river Kupa.
• The group’s goal is to help and connect sustainable and environmental projects across Croatia and the whole Balkan area.
• The project started 3 years ago. A house was donated – a traditional old oak house which they dissembled and rebuilt with larger windows, insulation and new roof.
• The group’s learning has been through making mistakes. For example the solar cooker which took 3 attempts but which now works like a dream!
• They planted up many seeds, plants and bushes, many of which were donated. They belong to the Rustica seed exchange which supply organic, traditional species.
• They give free workshops on gardening, sustainable energy, composting and many more.
• Other things they have done: built terraces out of old car tyres, create passive solar water collectors, built compost toilets and bread ovens, worm composting, and published 2 books, the sale of which helps to generate an income for their work.
• The main problems with the site were the lack of drinking water supply and the ‘toxic’ neighbour who would burn plastic. These problems have now been largely overcome through rainwater harvesting, and this year being able to buy the neighbours property – Drazen described it as the ugliest house in the world, but it has an excellent position and soil so they are very happy!
• Another part of their work is the Balkan Ecovillage network, which provides training on Permaculture and Ecovillages.
• They also promote renewable energy technology in schools and isolated places which do not have electricity. The solar panels are produced in Croatia and they receive a very good discount on them.
• A DVD about their project was made by the UNDP (the Organisation of Youth in Croatia) and was shown at the end of the presentation.

[ Scribe: Julie ]