About Us
The Játszoda Association, founded in 2004, initially focused on supporting the development of young people with special educational needs. After a decade, the organisation shifted its focus towards cultural and environmentally conscious programmes, emphasising the urgency of environmental education. By purchasing a property that we named as Dombfalva, located near Domony in the heart of the Gödöllő Hills east of Budapest, we created a community-based rural site where strong emphasis is placed on involving young people in the everyday practices of an environmentally conscious lifestyle.
Through the active involvement of young people, we promote environmental education, sustainable living, community building, volunteering, active citizenship, physical and mental well-being, and mobility programmes. These goals are supported through non-formal educational methods and arts-based pedagogy.
Our experience shows that success lies in connecting environmental awareness with community engagement. We firmly believe that by promoting the sustainability of both our environment and our communities, we can create a lasting impact not only on young people’s lives but also on wider circles - from the local community to the international level - through our programmes.
Establishing a Centre for Sustainable Living in Dombfalva: In response to the growing demand for practical, environmentally friendly environments, we established a dedicated space focused on sustainable living. Dombfalva is more than a symbol; it represents a tangible commitment to promoting and embodying sustainable practices. It functions as a thriving community hub that supports a lifestyle rooted in environmentally conscious decision-making.
Participation in ESC Group Volunteering: Our commitment to international cooperation and community service is reflected in our active participation in group volunteering projects of the European Solidarity Corps (ESC). Through this engagement, we aim to foster a global perspective among young people, while promoting empathy and a sense of responsibility towards others. Over the past years, we have hosted more than 100 volunteers, creating a significant impact on our community.
Members who believe in lifelong learning actively seek opportunities for self-development, which is clearly demonstrated through their participation in community support programmes. This forward-thinking approach equips them with essential skills to lead and support communities committed to sustainable living.
Environmental Education Workshops: Our organisation delivers environmental education workshops to respond to the growing need for ecological awareness. These sessions go beyond providing information; they equip young people with knowledge and skills that enable them to contribute to a sustainable future. Our aim is to inspire environmentally conscious action.
Eco-Architecture Projects in Dombfalva: We actively participate in hands-on eco-architecture projects in Dombfalva. Over the years, we have built a straw bale house with clay plaster, a summer kitchen and fire pit, a vaulted cellar, a community shower heated by a solar thermal system, a willow dome, and compost toilets. These structures reflect our strong commitment to sustainable construction methods.
Permaculture Practices for Sustainable Agriculture: Our involvement in permaculture activities demonstrates our dedication to sustainable agricultural practices. By engaging in these methods, we contribute to environmental protection and promote a holistic understanding of sustainability, highlighting the interconnectedness of agriculture and the natural environment.
Currently, a 700 m² organic garden operates in Dombfalva, primarily producing vegetables to meet the needs of our community. In addition, together with earlier plantings, we have planted over 100 fruit tree saplings in recent years. Our most recent landscape restoration initiative involved the planting of 7000+ trees using native forest species, taking important steps toward restoring the area’s former natural conditions.
From Garden to Kitchen: As a result of project activities over recent years, our organic garden has expanded to cover more than 700 m². We grow a wide variety of vegetables that supply both permanent and temporary members of the Dombfalva community. The garden also partially meets the food needs of our programmes, ensuring healthy ingredients for our guests.
We place great importance on incorporating surrounding natural values into our food culture; therefore, the use of wild fruits and medicinal herbs is an integral part of our daily life. In the long term, our goal is to complement agricultural activities with arable farming and animal husbandry units, creating a comprehensive self-sufficiency system. This multi-layered system also plays a key role in our environmental education activities.
The Organix festival: The successful organisation of the Festival goes beyond event management. It highlights our commitment to supporting local artists, strengthening community bonds, and fostering intergenerational connections. The festival is more than a music event; it provides an opportunity for like-minded, environmentally conscious young people to meet, exchange ideas, and participate in artistic workshops and educational activities.
We also actively collaborate with other civil society organisations, creating a shared platform for common values and impactful initiatives.
The Organix Festival has been successfully organized for 6 years, but is currently on hold due to lack of capacity in the organization. We hope that this event will be revived soon!
