Another way of living together is possible.
We believe another way of living together is possible, where humans, animals and nature can flourish together. That’s why we’ve founded the Selvinha Transformative Interspecies Democracies project (TIDE).
Our vision is to support flourishing interspecies communities where the more-than-human world is an active stakeholder.
Our mission is to develop models of more-than-human inclusive governance and inspire regenerative interspecies community living through education, research and practice.
With Rights of Nature increasingly recognised around the world, TIDE encourages interspecies flourishing: reciprocal relationships between humans, other animals, and nature which promote mutual thriving.
At the magical Selvinha (which means ‘little jungle’ in Portuguese) project site in Alentejo, Portugal, we are creating a research and education centre based around a compassionate rewilding project.
Selvinha will be a home for learning, restoration and compassionate coexistence with our fellow beings.
We want to create a space where academics, students, artists, our wonderful Alentejo community, and curious nature lovers can explore new ways of relating to the more-than-human world—not only through theory, but through shared experience. The Selvinha project site currently covers 5 hectares. We hope to acquire at least 30 hectares of neighbouring land.
We believe that meaningful change begins in everyday life: caring for animals, restoring ecosystems, sharing meals, asking difficult questions, growing food and learning together.
TIDE is an experiment—exploring what becomes possible when compassion, curiosity and community guide the way we live.
Photo: Jacques Blot
More-Than-Human Inclusive Governance
A defining feature of the project is its ambition to recognise ecosystems and non-human beings as stakeholders in governance. Here, animals are seen as our neighbours, teachers and fellow members of the community.
The land at Selvinha we are lucky enough to inhabit is a living partner whose voice shapes every decision we make.
The beings behind Selvinha
Ceb
Émilie
Romain
Filipa
Taïga
Rajah
Cajou and Cacahuète
The beings we share this land with
From bats to hedgehogs, to the Griffon vulture, Selvinha is home to a rich community of wild beings. Our work is shaped by their presence, needs and movements.