Sustainability of the Nomadic Island project

The Nomadic Island residency project inquires about different ways of living and working that can lead to a more sustainable existence and development of the human society on many different levels. 

Social sustainability. The participatory principle of the project helps to build trust, collaboration and open-mindedness between people. Through common projects and shared goals the community-based residency creates a sense of belonging, empowering the participants with communication, inclusive decision-making and community-building skills. 

Cultural sustainability. The diversity brought by the different cultural backgrounds of the participants encourages receptiveness and acceptance. The art projects conceived by the artists stimulate the expression of cultural diversity through participatory processes.

Ecological sustainability. The sleeping accommodations are self-produced by the artists which use their shelter as part of their artistic concepts. The use of upcycled and recycled material for logistic needs (additional furniture, tools, outside sheltering structures) will be a priority during the residency. Waste will be treated as a valuable resource. Energy use will be conceived in the most efficient and ecological possible way with an eye toward renewable sources.

The food policy will follow as much as possible a local and organic production logic, without necessarily excluding animal products, but limiting instead the level and frequency of their consumption. One of the supporting partners is the non-profit association Foodsharing Luxembourg. This association recovers different foods which is still fit for consumption but would be thrown away by supermarkets and food stores for different reasons.

Economic sustainability. At the Nomadic Island the different managing and implementing tasks are shared on a participative base between the residents. Every participant contributes with their own skills, expertise, knowledge, social and professional networks to solve issues of different nature brought by the implementation of the project. The common efforts point towards supporting local economies, a fair trade and ethical systems of exchange.

Further on, the project raises awareness of a more sustainable lifestyle, focussing on systems of community living. Long term effects of the project – which may have an impact at national and European level – are an increasing interest in experimental forms of social organisation which rest on a high level of participation, collaboration and synergetic efforts.