21/08/2026
# # Eco Village in Aldeia da Ponte — Sabugal, Portugal
Good morning everyone,
My name is Filipe Camejo, I am 57 years old, I was born in Lisbon and, throughout my life, I have had the opportunity to live in different countries, namely England, the United States, Spain and Dubai.
My father’s family comes from Aldeia da Ponte, in the municipality of Sabugal, close to the Spanish border. It is precisely in this region, where I have some land and a very strong family and emotional connection, that I am developing a project that I have wanted to make a reality for a long time: the creation of an **Eco Village / Community**, connected to nature, animals, sustainability, education and sharing.
The idea is to gradually create a space where people with similar values and ways of life can live, work, create projects and share experiences, without having to give up their privacy and individual space.
I have a very strong connection to the land and to animals. I currently raise cows and horses, but over the years I have also had experience with and cared for various other animals.
One of the areas I would like to develop further is the **equestrian side**. I have already created an equestrian centre in the village and have been working with horses through volunteer activities and other initiatives. I would now like to take this a step further and also create a **horse retreat** dimension, bringing together nature, horses, wellbeing, silence, outdoor experiences and personal development.
For example, I imagine small groups spending a few days here, in contact with horses and nature, through equestrian activities, walks, meditation, yoga, tea and cacao ceremonies, healthy food and simply having time to disconnect from the fast pace of everyday life.
But there is also a bigger dream behind this project.
One of my great dreams would be to create, in the future, a school for children based on a more innovative educational model, which values not only academic knowledge, but also creativity, emotional intelligence, contact with nature and animals, personal development, independence and each child’s ability to discover their own talents.
I would like it to be a place where children can learn in a freer, more practical way, connected to real life and in contact with the land, animals and nature.
And, within this same vision, there is an area that I consider particularly important: **equine therapy**.
I would like to create an equine therapy and horse-assisted activities programme specifically designed for children with disabilities, including children with Down syndrome, providing them with contact with horses, nature and specialised professionals in a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment.
I deeply believe in the potential of horses as partners in the physical, emotional and social development of people. I would like this project, in the future, to create opportunities for children and families who normally have less access to this type of experience to benefit from it.
To make this possible, some infrastructure will need to be created. One of the ideas I have is to install a **yurt**, which could function as a space for yoga, meditation, workshops, gatherings and different types of retreats.
I have already had the opportunity to welcome people from different countries to this space. This year, for example, I developed a volunteer project mainly connected to the horses and also welcomed a group of people from Ukraine who spent some time at the farm. Some of them are still in contact with me and have expressed an interest in returning and participating in the development of a community here.
We even held a **tea ceremony with horses** at the farm where I imagine that, little by little, this Eco Village could take shape.
My vision is not simply to create a place to live. I would like it to be a space with life, diversity, education, nature, animals and projects.
A place where there can be independent small houses, shared spaces, agriculture, animals, horses, equestrian activities, retreats, workshops, education, equine therapy and other initiatives that may emerge from the people who become part of the project.
I believe that a community only works when there is a balance between individual freedom, privacy, respect and mutual support. I do not intend to impose a rigid lifestyle on anyone. What matters most to me is finding people with a compatible vision and the desire to build something consciously and collaboratively.
I also do not have everything defined — and, honestly, I don't want to.
This is a project in progress. Some ideas already exist, others are still taking shape, and I believe that many of the best ones may emerge precisely through the people who decide to join.
Therefore, at this stage, my main objective is to **meet people**.
People who feel the desire to move, at least partially, away from the conventional way of life. People who enjoy nature, animals and a simple way of living, but who also value comfort, independence, freedom and personal space.
If there are people with experience or an interest in agriculture, permaculture, education, teaching, equestrian activities, equine therapy, construction, renewable energy, nature tourism, horses, yoga, therapies, retreats, food, sustainability, or simply a desire to participate, you are very welcome.
I would also like to build connections with people from other countries.
At a later stage, we can organise a visit to the farm, a lunch and an informal gathering, so that people can see the place, meet the animals and horses, and have a relaxed conversation about this idea.
I am not looking for perfect people or a closed group with rigid rules.
I am looking for people who want to build something genuine and create a positive impact.
If this vision resonates with you, leave a comment or send me a private message. I will be very happy to talk, answer questions and, who knows, perhaps discover that there are other people dreaming of this kind of life.
**Perhaps the Eco Village in Aldeia da Ponte will begin exactly this way: with a conversation between people who do not know each other yet.**
For anyone who would like to know a little more about what I have been doing:
**Instagram:** CHCDM.ADP
**Facebook:** Club Hípico Casa da Madrinha
Best regards,
**Filipe Camejo**
