ABOUT

Permaculture is a holistic design philosophy and the art and science of creating community eco-systems in which plants, animals, human beings, and all forms of ecological diversity interact to produce a prolific, ecologically-sound, and regenerative system that can support itself and life indefinitely.

The focus of permaculture is to design and establish societal systems that provide for humanity’s material and non-material needs such as food, water, shelter, energy, and health in a way that is symbiotic and synergistic with the Earth’s natural balanced ecosystems. More recently permaculture is incorporating an increasing range of fields and skill sets and is being applied towards areas such as business, government, economics, group process, social systems, self development and spiritual practice.

The Permaculture Research Foundation Malta (PRFM) is a voluntary organization based in Malta which works in the field of permaculture, food security, agro-forestry and creative ecology. PRFM was founded in June 2008 when a group of like-minded individuals attended a training camp during which they explored positive solutions towards the

identified need for a more focused approach to sustainable development. The organisation is a non-profit making organisation as defined in the Voluntary Organisations Act (Chapter 492 of the Laws of Malta). The organisation is autonomous and independent of any civil or religious group, political party, commercial institution or any other group or society.

Due to the non-profit nature of PRFM the assets and income of the organisation shall be applied solely in furtherance of its under-mentioned aims and no portion shall be distributed directly or indirectly to the members of the organisation or its employees except as bona fide compensation for services rendered or expenses incurred on behalf of PRFM.

The aims of the PRFM are:

  • To encourage and reward ‘practical positivism’ through effective design in good land-stewardship
  • To establish working solutions on earth-based projects with education on permaculture design and a resource-based economy.
  • To provide working models that use the land to harness rainwater, wind and solar energy, while growing nutritious toxin-free food through permaculture design and advocating such models for future developments.
  • To establish models that maximise the benefit gained from space and earth while enhancing and embracing nature as its prime example of design and energy provider.
  • To use these working models as the basis of study for combating issues of food security and desertification, for achieving cleaner air and restoring biodiversity while educating through hands-on activities of students, teachers and permaculturists.
  • To bring together ecological designers and students with interest in green issues and solutions and to share events and projects across Europe and other countries.
  • To support future models of applied permaculture design through a growing network of information and eco-communities.
  • To support edible landscapes and food forests.

PRFM achieves its aims by:

Organizing trainings, work camps and field work.
Engaging in research activities through piloting innovative initiatives that are relevant in the local context.
Identifying and submitting its own projects.
Entering into partnership with other organizations in projects proposed by other trusted organizations.
Participating in workshops, conferences and events.
Sharing of knowledge with organizations with similar aims, in particular eco-villages and sustainable communities.