The Cuba-Australia Permaculture Exchange entered a new phase with the signing of a formal partnership agreement on Tuesday June 30 in Havana. The agreement between Erda Institute Inc (Australia) and the Antonio Núñez Jiménez Foundation of Nature and Humanity (known as FANJ) in Havana was signed by FANJ president, Liliana Nuñez Velis and myself (Robyn Francis) on behalf of Erda Institut during my recent visit to Cuba.

FANJ thanked CAPE supporters for the donation to the hurricane recovery appeal received earlier in the year. The FANJ Permaculture team are busy supporting existing projects and have numerous new projects requiring support and assistance.

One exciting new project is a site near Matanzas next to the main tourist centre for the famous Belamar Caves. There are over 40 kms of galleries (caves) in the Matanzas area including ones with global significance and unique formations. The team at the FANJ Matanzas office are responsible for the conservation and protection of the caves and the office director, Esteban is one of Cuba's foremost speleologists.

The new Belamar Project will involve a 3 hectare education and demonstration site surrounded by a large area of natural conservation and reforestation to protect the caves, many situated only 15 meters below the earth surface. Esteban and senior assistant Amarylis requested support to develop a master plan for the 3ha training and demonstration site. While world class speleologists they are new to Permaculture and excited about the potential of the project as a public centre for demonstration and community education in sustainable development, Permaculture and nature awareness.

To inaugurate the new CAPE agreement I visited the Belamar Project site and am developing a master and concept plan for the foundation. A highlight of the visit was a special tour of some rare and beautiful caves not open to the public. The site has a unique history and great potential and is considered to be the most significant project of FANJ to date. We are hoping the Belamar project will become a ‘sister' project of Djanbung Gardens and an important destination for Permaculture interns visiting Cuba in the future. A more comprehensive report will be published soon about the project, the design and ways people can contribute.

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