Black Growth CIC x The Earth Sistren Collective - 5 Principles of Afroecology Foundation Workshop

3.5 hour Introductory Foundation Workshop delivered by GoGrowWithLove C.I.C in partnership with Earth Sistren Collective

This in person introductory workshop offers a space for African Caribbean women and the wider Melanin-rich comeunity to reconnect with ancestral ecological knowledge and explore Afroecology as a living, traditional practice.

Rooted in the theme Returning to Land, Memory & Community through the 5 Principles of Afroecology, participants will experience practical land based learning, cultural reflection and collective visioning while deepening their overstanding of traditional African systems of knowledge and strengthen connections between ancestral memory and ecological practice. Together, we will explore how ancestral wisdom can guide contemporary approaches to ecological justice, food sovereignty, cultural resilience and comeunity regeneration.

The 5 Principles of Afroecology

• Land-Based Learning Rooted in Traditional Knowledge
  
• Cultural Storytelling and Ceremony
  
• Reciprocal Growing Practices
  
• Youth Connections to Identity, Land and Belonging
  
• Food Sovereignty, Culture and Ecological Justice

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the workshop, participants will:

• Gain an understanding of the 5 Principles of Afroecology.
  
• Explore African ecological knowledge systems and their contemporary relevance.
  
• Connect ancestral memory with practical ecological stewardship.
  
• Experience hands-on, land-based learning activities.
  
• Develop personal and community actions rooted in Afroecological values.
  
• Build relationships and networks with other women engaged in ecological, cultural, and community work.

Schedule of day

11.45-12.00 – Welcome participants

12-12.20 - Opening Grounding Circle (Welcome, Introductions, Health and Safety, Shared Values)

12.20-12:45 - What is Afroecology? (Introduction to African Ecological Knowledge Systems and the 5 Principles of Afroecology)

12.45-2.00 - Exploring the 5 Principles of Afroecology

2.00-2.15 - Break

2.15-3.15 - Land-Based Practical Activities (Food Sovereignty & Reciprocal Growing)

3.15-3.30 - Closing Ceremony & Collectve Commitments (Reflection, feedback and shared commitments )

What to bring:

1. A packed lunch. (Due to the shorter agenda, we will be offering smaller refreshments compared to our usual family meal. Therefore please bring a lunch if you need something heavier, have allergies or intolerances.)
2. To wear for celebration and closing ceremony materials (dress code - white/cream and yellow).
3. A notebook and pen. 

These workshops will support our people to deepen their relationship with and practice on the land, strengthen leadership rooted in our original code, tradition and ancestral wisdom, and anchor a collective committed to ecological preservation, cultural resilience and food sovereignty. Axe

No prior experience is necessary, and all are welcome to attend.

⚠️ To attend the workshop you must sign up and spaces are limited to 20.
Please note we will not be accepting walk-ins for this session⁠.⁠ ⚠️

📅 Saturday 29th August
⏰ 12PM - 3:30PM
We recommend arriving 10–15 minutes before 12pm so we can welcome everyone and start on time.
📍 Roots Allotment, Meadow Hills Fields, Croydon CR5 2QQ⁠

Questions please email us at info@bfmarket.co.uk

This workshop is part of a 4 Week Workshop Series:⁠
📍 9 August – Coco Collective- Ital Community Gardens⁠
📍 23 August – Black Roots⁠
📍 29 August – Black Growth⁠
📍 30 August – Aweside Farm & Black Butterfly⁠
⁠
Please connect with the other green spaces to register for their respective dates.⁠