Introduction to Springhouse International
July 12, 2007

MISSION
Springhouse International, an eco-savvy collective collaborating with local organizations to mobilize and localize global resources that preserve and empower land based communities.

VISION
Springhouse Int’l envisions peaceful and harmonious societies collaborating with nature and each other for the equitable and sustainable distribution of resources.

RATIONALE
Increased global pressures are influencing land-based communities to disconnect from traditional practices that tie them to their culture and environment. This disconnect is leading to environmental degradation, out migration and thereby the increase in population, crime, violence, exploitation, health issues, and drug abuse in slums around urban centers.

Some of the major causes for this scenario can be summarized as:
- Current popular forms of media encourage values of consumption of imported goods and lifestyle as a sign of status and wealth
- Land based communities do not have the power to influence government policies which adversely affect their quality of life
- Lack of access to appropriate information, skills, technologies which preserve and sustain land based communities

STRATEGIC APPROACH
Springhouse Int’l supports land-based communities to become part of the global community while preserving the value of traditional culture and practices.

Strategic Objective #1: Improve access to appropriate information, skills, technologies that preserve and sustain land-based communities.
Permaculture
Renewable Energy
Water Storage, Harvesting, Filtration and Treatment
Eco-Sanitation
Natural Building and Construction

Strategic Objective #2: Strengthen civil society organizations to positively influence government policies and priorities.
Participatory Methodologies
Women’s Empowerment
Youth Leadership
Savings and Thrift
Fair Trade

Strategic Objective #3: Support proactive forms of media which value traditional culture and environment.
Media Literacy
Computer Literacy
Interactive Web Communication
Documentary Film and Photography

PARTNERSHIPS
Springhouse Int’l believes in the principle of subsidiarity, mandating that those closest to the problem have the right and responsibility to design and implement the solution. Therefore, Springhouse supports local non-governmental organizations and the communities they work with to address the priorities and needs that they themselves have identified. Currently, the following organizations have requested technical assistance from Springhouse International:

PRERNA, Darjeeling, INDIA
Instituto de Permacultura da Bahia, BRAZIL
New Mexico Community Education Association, Taos, USA