Turning an abandoned train station into an international place of learning

In Southern Catalonia, about 180 km south of Barcelona, at the edge of the Natural Park Els Ports, an old train station house in Xerta is coming back to life — as a small academy where people, animals, and nature learn to coexist.

Together, we can transform it into a home for ethical herding, ecological education, and new beginnings — a place that connects local roots with international exchange and shared compassion.

From vision to reality

The herds already exist. Rescued goats from Paüls and a pilot site in Gandesa will soon become partners in a new program to combine ecological grazing, animal protection, and sustainable land care.

We’re turning the station into a community house:

• Space for training groups of up to 20 participants

• A venue for workshops, courses, and cultural events

• Headquarters of the non-profit association Mas de Cosme

Offering translated classes, the Academy will bring together multilingual educators and learners from Catalonia, Spain, across Europe, and beyond.

Funding overview

We are raising funds to renovate, equip, and operate the former station building during its first year — to make the academy fully functional and sustainable.

Renovation and setup

1,500 € – Interior renovation and painting

1,200 € – Facade and exterior care

800 € – Signage and identity (academy sign, info board)

Learning and equipment

1,200 € – Classroom furniture for up to 20 participants

900 € – Teaching materials (whiteboard, flipchart, supplies)

2,200 € – Multimedia equipment for hybrid learning

People and operations

4,400 € – Accommodation and travel for multilingual educators

6,300 € – Digitalization, operation, and maintenance

Funding goal: 18,500 €

Why it matters

The academy will become a model for practical education, ethics, and intercultural collaboration. It connects people and regions, brings new opportunities to Southern Catalonia, and turns an abandoned space into a place of learning and coexistence.

This project promotes ecological awareness, compassion for animals, and respect for the land we share. It is more than a renovation — it is a statement for education and empathy as forces of change.

How to support

Each contribution helps bring this vision to life.

You can make a difference by donating, sharing this campaign, or simply spreading the word among your friends and networks.

Together, we can build a home for learning, nature, and community — in the heart of Southern Catalonia.

The academy stands for respect, compassion, and the belief that education can heal the land and connect people beyond borders.

Every step taken here becomes a seed for a more mindful and sustainable future.