11 April 2011 (Version 7)
Permaculture Cymru
A proposal from the Welsh Task and Finish Group and Permaculture Association
April 2011
Permaculture Association
BCM Permaculture Association, London, WC1N 3XX
Tel: 0845 4581805
Email:
Web: www.permaculture.org.uk
Please send comments to:
The Permaculture Association is a company (05908919) and registered charity (1116699 and SC041695)
Permaculture Cymru Proposal / March 2011 11
11 April 2011 (Version 7)
Table of Contents
Permaculture Cymru Proposal / March 2011 11
11 April 2011 (Version 7)
Foreword 3
A note on terminology 5
Introduction 6
Mission 6
Key functions of Permaculture Cymru and actions to support them 6
1. Permaculture Cymru respects and works with Welsh culture, language and traditions, and both are enhanced as a result. 6
2. Permaculture Cymru develops its understanding of the Welsh terrain and its ecosystems and is better able to design healthy and productive systems. 7
3. Permaculture Cymru is resilient, self-reliant and able to thrive and develop. 7
4. The interests and activities of members in Wales are well represented within the Association. 7
5. Individuals are better supported and able to learn, share skills and resources, and collaborate within a supportive network. 8
6. Permaculture groups and projects are better supported and able to learn, share skills and resources, and collaborate within a supportive network. 8
7. Network wide strategic needs are identified and supported through funding applications and the identification of other support and resources. 8
8. Links are established and maintained with local and national governments. 9
9. External groups, agencies and institutions in Wales are aware of permaculture and its benefits, and are able to engage with the network. 9
Suggestions for Permaculture Cymru developed at the the initial meeting 10
Elements 12
People (in more detail) 12
Suggested implementation plan for year one 13
Call for comments and offers of support 13
Permaculture Cymru Proposal / March 2011 11
11 April 2011 (Version 7)
Foreword
As part of the Permaculture Association's ongoing development, it became clear over the last couple of years that we needed a strategic presence in both Scotland and Wales. Many talented individuals and groups are already working in both countries, but we lacked a mechanism in either country that was able to provide strategic support to practitioners, and link to the new national level government structures. Its hard enough to keep up with the UK parliament and Government - the Welsh Assembly and Scottish Government weren't even on the radar.
To address this and support dynamic and effective networks in Scotland and Wales, we have worked over the last year or so with two 'task and finish groups' that were initiated after open invitation meetings to practitioners in both countries. These groups have looked in detail at the opportunities and needs for Scotland and Wales, and are now making recommendations to the permaculture network in both countries for how to move forward.
It has been a real pleasure to support this process, and has meant travelling to some wonderful homes and locations. The group in Wales was able to make use of the work from the Scottish group, and were able to come to this proposal after just three face to face meetings. A big thank you to them and the members of the Welsh team for their work and clear thinking.
This proposal sets out the functions of Permaculture Cymru, including key issues to address, and the different elements and activities that will be needed for its successful implementation.
We very much welcome your views on the proposal and have included questions at the end that you can use to tell us what you think. We are interested in views from Association members, permaculture practitioners not (yet) involved in the Association's work and from allied organisations, including the Welsh Assembly.
We are totally committed over the long term to ensuring that together the Permaculture Association and Permaculture Cymru make our best possible contribution to the beneficial transformation and development of sustainable environments, communities and individuals in Wales. This proposal sets out how we will begin the next phase of this work, and invites you to join us in it.
Andy Goldring
Chief Executive
Permaculture Association
Photo: members at the first meeting to discuss Permaculture Cymru.
A note on terminology
We have used two permaculture design terms throughout the proposal, and for clarity they are explained here:
Functions – what the design sets out to achieve – the functions can be likened to 'outcomes' which are generally thought of as the difference we will make in the world. For example “The interests and activities of members in Wales are well represented within the Association. “
Elements – these are the components that will be used within the design to ensure the functions happen. In permaculture, each element is designed to provide many functions. For example, the website is one of the key elements and will be used to link people, keep people informed, share knowledge and resources and enable local self-reliance and organisation.
Introduction
This design proposal has been created by the Permaculture Cymru 'task and finish' group that formed at the Wales Permaculture meeting held in Llanyre, Llandrindod Wells, June 2010. This was followed by a meeting at Blaeneinion in November 2010 and Rhayader in March 2011.
The first meeting established whether there was a strong enough impetus to set up a formal Welsh network – there was. We shared our visions for the future, characteristics of the network and what we might need to do to achieve this. The 'task and finish' group was agreed and given the task of putting taking the notes from the day, undertaking further research as required, and formulating it all into a proposal.
We have used a permaculture design approach throughout. The design process is clearly an on going process that will help us to adapt and evolve as we go. However, we feel that the work done so far will give the Permaculture Cymru working group a clear framework to begin with.
Our aim has been to create a design for setting up and running Permaculture Cymru. We hope this design will enable a vibrant, resilient and permanent network that can run in a largely autonomous way as a key group within the Permaculture Association.
A clear principle has been to not replicate systems, services or activities that are already in operation within the Association, for example, website, newsletter, admin systems,and running a charitable company! Instead the design reflects what we can do that is specific to Wales, that makes use of the wider support provided by the Association.
Mission
To support the beneficial transformation and development of environments, communities and individuals towards a sustainable, adaptive and integrated culture in Wales.
Key functions of Permaculture Cymru and actions to support them
Nine functions have been agreed, that describe the difference that we want to make. This is not an exhaustive or prescriptive list, and the Working Group may prioritise differently, depending on the skills and opportunities facing the group.
1. Permaculture Cymru respects and works with Welsh culture, language and traditions, and both are enhanced as a result.
· Pay particular attention to developing Welsh language materials and supporting native Welsh speakers to become teachers and practitioners.
· Identify Welsh speakers and groups that are actively engaged in permaculture and related activities.
· Identify key historical, cultural and traditional events (e.g. cyfarfod bach), aspects and resources which reflect the ethics and principles of permaculture design. Use website to record key resources and make them accessible via external links and recommended reading lists.
· Develop events, training, resources and materials to increase practitioner knowledge.
· Make links to other organisations, groups, networks and individuals that are maintaining and developing Welsh culture and traditions and encourage and support interaction and exchange between them and Permaculture Cymru.
2. Permaculture Cymru develops its understanding of the Welsh terrain and its ecosystems and is better able to design healthy and productive systems.
· Use website to record key resources and make them accessible via GIS, external links, recommended reading.
· Develop events, training, resources and materials to increase practitioner knowledge
· Make links to universities and other organisations that have specialist knowledge.
3. Permaculture Cymru is resilient, self-reliant and able to thrive and develop.
· Keep an archive of all paperwork and activities to do with Permaculture Cymru.
· Organise two meetings per year with the management committee.
· Organise an annual Wales networking meeting.
· Develop systems with the Association to oversee and manage finances.
· Promote the importance of having solid local and (bio)regional groups. Design and consider fall back positions that may be required for energy descent futures, and consider the variety of scales of resilience i.e. household, local community, bioregion, region, nation)
· Be responsible for the management committee's development.
· Organise new people for management committee roles if needed.
4. The interests and activities of members in Wales are well represented within the Association.
· Arrange a Wales page in the Permaculture Works newsletter.
· Ask people in Wales to write articles for it and the E-bulletin.
· Develop a survey to ascertain Permaculture Cymru member’s needs and challenges, and what is happening in Wales (people, projects, groups …).
· Make sure the website has the required functionality and is regularly updated. Liaise with Web Coordinator.
· Be the Welsh link with the staff of the Permaculture Association, be the contact for any problems, solutions, questions or opportunities that arise from Wales.
· Encourage people in permaculture networks in Wales to join the Permaculture Association.
· Link to Permaculture Research Advisory Group, to ensure Welsh research needs and opportunities are highlighted and developed.
5. Individuals are better supported and able to learn, share skills and resources, and collaborate within a supportive network.
· Survey practitioners in Wales to identify support that is wanted and what is already in place both formally and informally.
· Develop strategies to improve support and interaction.
· Encourage practitioners in Wales to join the Association and add their profile to the website to encourage interaction.
· Use visual mapping online to make practitioners more visible and accessible.
· Trial 'worker bee' type work shares to provide practical support.
6. Permaculture groups and projects are better supported and able to learn, share skills and resources, and collaborate within a supportive network.
· Survey Welsh groups and projects to identify support that is wanted and what is already in place both formally and informally.
· Develop strategies to improve support and interaction.
· Collate a list of permaculture groups and projects in Wales and add to website.
· Use visual mapping online to make groups and projects more visible and accessible.
7. Network wide strategic needs are identified and supported through funding applications and the identification of other support and resources.
· Get a list of funders in Wales (Link to Countryside Council Wales funding newsletter)
· Link to regional funding agencies and bodies (e.g. Communities 1st )
· Look into how LAND project may work in Wales, apply for funding and set it up.
· Include funds for a Wales fieldworker, as part of LAND project development.
· Research which projects need funding and for what.
8. Links are established and maintained with local and national governments.
· Encourage permaculture people/projects via website, phone calls and meetings to speak with AMs, MPs, MEPs and local councillors.
· Start to build up a portfolio of regional activities and of the corresponding officials for that region.
· Look into case studies where Permaculture has been used within councils/government. Identify key practitioners with links into local / national government.
9. External groups, agencies and institutions in Wales are aware of permaculture and its benefits, and are able to engage with the network.
· Find out what and where events are and arrange a Permaculture Cymru presence at them.
· Look into a radio/TV feature to take place.
· Look into what is on offer within University/college courses.
· Arrange for a permaculture speaker to appear at events.
· Extend links with the Transition network and local groups
· Make sure courses and events are advertised on the website and point out to course/event organisers other places to advertise.
· Make sure articles, advertisements and features get into magazines and news print.
· Arrange for a national gathering to take place every year.
· Create a Wales specific leaflet / web pages / logo (based on Association logo) / marketing strategy / reusable events pack.
Suggestions for Permaculture Cymru developed at the the initial meeting
Permaculture Cymru Proposal / March 2011 11
11 April 2011 (Version 7)
ü Contact point(s) for Wales
ü Connecting with wider / other groups and networks
ü Outreach and exchange
ü Working closely with Transition
ü Information exchange – news feeds, blogs, forums
ü Welsh face, flavour and identity
ü Welsh language materials and trainers, seeing bilingualism as an advantage
ü Strong management group
ü Project workers
ü Sustainable micro-businesses floourishing
ü Businesses connected
ü Places to visit
ü Databases of skills, projects, places,
ü Strategic demonstration sites (part of LAND project)
ü Increased awareness of what permaculture means – in individuals and organisations
ü A people's champion – Iolo Williams
ü Regional and national events and convergences (inter and intra)
ü Schools – information packs, local demonstration sites and projects, permaculture in schools in many ways.
ü Youth involvement – skills camps and forest schools
ü Intergenerational activity planned and developed
ü A clear distinction of what working group does and what it facilitates (ie what it supports others to do)
ü Practical support for projects – skills swaps, resources exchange (plants, materials, trees, seeds, tools), car share (all agree to use one online system? More hitch-hiking)