Planting Water, Growing Leaders: Youth-Driven Regeneration in Timor-Leste and Beyond
- Re-Alliance
- Jul 29
- 3 min read
The Role of Youth in Regeneration
Across the world, young people are confronting the impacts of climate change, environmental degradation, and displacement. Yet despite being among the most affected, youth are often left out of decisions about the future.
At Re-Alliance, we believe young people are not just the future - they are already leading regenerative action today. From restoring water systems and growing food sovereignty to reviving traditional knowledge and organising grassroots movements, youth are at the heart of eco-social regeneration.
What’s often missing is support: access to tools, training, networks and opportunities to connect with others doing similar work across regions and cultures.
That’s why we’re excited to spotlight the upcoming International PermaYouth Convergence (IPYC–2025) - a global gathering rooted in a powerful youth-led model developed in Timor-Leste by Timorese NGO Permatil (Permaculture Timor-Lorosa’e).
Introducing the International PermaYouth Convergence (IPYC–2025)
From 20-25 October 2025, youth (aged 17-35) and community leaders from six continents will come together in Ermera, Timor-Leste, for six days of permaculture learning, leadership training, and cultural exchange.
The convergence, hosted by Permatil (Timor-Leste), partner organisation Permatil Global (Australia), and the newly formed PermaYouth Association of Timor-Leste, will share the successful PermaYouth camp model - which has empowered thousands of youth in Timor-Leste - with the world.
The theme of the event, “Planting Water, Growing Communities,” focuses on regenerating ecosystems, applying permaculture approaches and strengthening community resilience through practical, nature-based action.
The PermaYouth Model
Since 2008, Permatil has run over 15 regional and national PermaYouth camps, reaching more than 6,500 young people across Timor-Leste. These camps combine permaculture, agroecology, and traditional knowledge with youth empowerment, gender inclusion, and leadership development.
Participants learn by doing, gaining skills in:
Water harvesting and watershed regeneration
Agroforestry and sloping agriculture
Community organising and ecological sanitation
Cultural preservation and indigenous food systems
Camps are inclusive and participatory, prioritising involvement from young women, LGBTQIA+ youth, people with disabilities, and other often-marginalised groups.
Many past participants now lead their own projects or play a role in the national PermaYouth Association, which will co-lead the IPYC–2025 and help support future participants as they return home to share what they’ve learned.
A Living Laboratory of Regeneration
Participants in the convergence will visit Permatil’s demonstration site in Fatuquero, where water management and ecological restoration have transformed degraded land into a thriving community asset.
Their “Planting Water” approach has recharged over 20 million litres of groundwater across Timor-Leste, restored springs, improved crop yields, and helped secure year-round food and water access. The site also serves as a platform for innovation, knowledge sharing, and lifelong learning.
The convergence will combine this hands-on training with a nightly cultural and music festival, featuring traditional and contemporary performances from Timor-Leste and around the world - a celebration of identity, resilience, and connection.
Why It Matters: Relevance to Re-Alliance and the Sector
The IPYC–2025 speaks directly to Re-Alliance’s mission: to amplify and scale community-led regenerative approaches in humanitarian and development contexts. It offers a model for how to:
Centre youth in resilience-building and regeneration
Share knowledge and practices across Global South regions
Build long-term capacity rooted in local culture and ecosystems
Shift power and resources to grassroots actors
The convergence will also launch the International PermaYouth Network (IPYN) - a global alliance of young leaders working to implement permaculture, build eco-social resilience, and support each other across borders.
How to Get Involved: Become a Champion
Permatil and Permatil Global are inviting Champions from around the world - community organisers, educators, activists, and allies - to help share the opportunity and support local youth to participate.
Champions help by:
Disseminating event info and encouraging youth participation
Supporting delegations with coordination and funding access
Acting as local points of contact between communities and organisers
You don’t need to attend to be involved. Champion Kits and briefings are available to support your role.
Planting Seeds for a Regenerative Future
The International PermaYouth Convergence is an invitation to build a global network of young people leading regenerative action in their own communities.
Re-Alliance is proud to support this work, and we invite our members, partners and peers to join. Whether by sending a youth delegation, becoming a Champion, or simply sharing this story, you can help grow this global movement.
Because regeneration is about more than restoring ecosystems - it’s about restoring leadership, autonomy, and hope. And engaging youth in this process is essential.
