About Us

Who are we ?

The association was established at the end of 2012 by a group of friends. What connects us is the love of nature in all its aspects. Our main goal is to promote non-standard solutions for environmental protection, and the tools we use strive to preserve our originality, authenticity and freedom. We rely mainly on donations and voluntary work.

And what are we doing ?

It is easier to share what we are not doing – we do not politicize the green themes, and we do not judge people and tell them how to live. We just have fun with the projects we create! We challenge people to think through demonstration of alternative solutions, and in the questions that pop up are actually the answers we all look for. Thus, naturally, we come to more conscious and responsible decisions that come from the people themselves, not propagandized from above. Green Association speaking!

And all that priceless… well there is no price. For every product or service we offer, we do not set a price, but leave it to consumers. So we are sure that we get just as much as our ideas and effort deserve. If we have done well, we invest our profit to build on what we have achieved, if we do not – we stop or develop the initiative. And people continue to ask questions and wander in the possible answers: whether I have left enough; May I do it myself; Is the idea worthwhile; where did they get the materials; does it really work? It is precisely in these fluctuations that we believe that the moral category for sustainable development in our society is formed.

In our quest to present and support sustainable models of social interaction, the main activity of the association since its founding is the reconstruction and restoration of the social center and the workshop of the organisation in Momin prohod, aiming at a shared workspace that supports the positive change in each of us, where we most often implement our initiatives. After realizing a number of activities at the local, national and international level, it is extremely important for us to reach as many as possible initiative, curious, pure-hearted and motivated people with whom we can achieve the next level of development together – the cosmic one!

Since 2023 we’re working on our new property in architectural reserve the village of Staro Stefanovo – a 100 years old house with a barn and big yard. It’s still really wild, but we have the basic necessities and most of the things you’ll see have been done with the almighty volunteers of the Green Summit. Here we’re usually sleeping in tents, creating our own eco-community heaven with natural arts, geo-dome, solar showers, compost toilets, stage for our events, summer kitchen, fireplace and other green structures. Even though it’s outdoor smoking and use of alcohol is highly undesirable in our green temple. The phone connection is low to none at some parts and the washing machine is on pedals.

The Story Behind

2021 just chill

In 2021, we welcomed 19 volunteers through the European Solidarity Corps.

Six young people had the opportunity to visit alternative places around Bulgaria for seven months, while thirteen joined us for a two-month experience.

Our main partner this year was Eco Farm Venets, where we got our hands deep in the soil and learned more about permaculture practices.

We visited 13 hosts, bringing them a breath of fresh air and new energy.

Green Association laid the foundations of its new space in the architectural reserve of Staro Stefanovo.

We played a key role in the organization of Beglika once again.

Our long-term volunteers and team also carried out a Permaculture Design Course, marking another meaningful chapter in our journey.

2020 almost pandemic

Right before the pandemic hit, we organized a signature event for our volunteers – Green Reunion.

That summer, Green Summit became a refuge for 15 young people and a way for them to explore both Bulgaria and themselves.

We kicked off the project with a few days of getting to know each other and a workshop on standing on stilts.

Then we headed to Beglika, where all the young participants took an active role in organizing the event.

Throughout the summer, we visited many of our long-time hosts with whom we’ve built strong partnerships over the years.

2019 we were on top

We welcomed dozens of volunteers from all over Europe through two short-term projects. We were everywhere, all the time. During the four most active months of the year, we were the volunteer heart of four major events – Wake Up, Essentia Gathering, Beglika, and Vazduharia.

Our green journey through small alternative communities brought us to two events in our sister country North Macedonia and took us all the way to the far northeast of Bulgaria, visiting 24 hosts during the season.

We even made it to national television!

2018 strategic year

We began implementing a three-year project for strategic volunteering service. Volunteers started finding us on their own, and the hosts we visited across several regions welcomed us with open arms. For the first time, our volunteer group reached the milestone of 23 people.

We created a highly successful shared workspace in the center of Sofia, where we could share our rural stories. We were the main organizers of Beglika Festival. We had a beautiful digital presence thanks to Emily and Roman, and Michele captured our entire journey.

2017 green summit

An incredibly active and dynamic year. We welcomed our first short-term volunteers. Locally, we organized events for children in schools, and Dani led Spanish language and dance courses for adults. We also became part of the “Wake Up!” experiment.

Green Summit visited ten different places, formally kicking off with an international event in the cradle of civilization – Macedonia.

2016 our first hosts

That year, we visited our first hosts – the Happy Farm in the Rhodope Mountains, the Green Gate, and Domashno. We got a lot of work done on the house, created amazing DIY gadgets like a pedal-powered machine and a can heater, made our own soap, creams, and laundry detergent, traveled, and took part in various events. Sasho (Alessandro Finello) even made an attempt to gather his impressions into a book.

2015 it all started

This year, our first volunteers arrived – Laura, Elena, Marco, and Renaud. Thanks to these green pioneers, we found the strength to initiate almost everything we’re still involved in today. The Green House lit up and came to life, we created our first garden, the van took its first kilometers on unexpected adventures smelling of oil, we worked with the local community, volunteered at Beglika, and took part in a number of events, where we met many new friends and like-minded people.

These, of course, are just the highlights — you can see the details here.

Family, Friends & Fools

In the Green Association we are all volunteers, but we are often friends, too. Self initiative is of paramount importance because the cause that unites us is above all and everyone! To keep it clean and green it is important to have fun and support as friends!