Description of organisation

Associação Vale do Xisto (AVX) is a portuguese non-profit association, recognized as an Association of National Cultural Interest since 2020 and an Environmental Non-Governmental Organisation (ENGO). Its mission is to preserve and regenerate the cultural and natural heritage of the ancient schist villages of Silveira, located in Serra da Lousã, Central Portugal.
The association manages 230 hectares of forest surrounding Silveira de Cima and Silveira de Baixo, combining heritage restoration with ecological regeneration. AVX works with Silveira Tech – Re_generation Village, a family initiative promoting sustainable tourism, environmental preservation, innovation and community building. Together, they aim to launch a global regenerative movement rooted in local action, and offer a variety of engaging activities for young volunteers.
Main activities include regenerating the recently burned forest, implementing syntropic agroforests, restoring water streams, and replacing invasive species with native forests. Volunteers and participants engage in practical tasks such as tree planting, seeding, waterway clearing, invasive species management, goat care, permaculture gardening, post-fire mitigation and event organization.
Through a “learn by doing” approach, young people acquire skills in permaculture, sustainable food production, forest, water and livestock management, and ecological restoration, while contributing to cultural preservation and environmental resilience.