Peru Sustainable Retreat & Intentional Community Project - Summary

This document summarizes the extensive conversation and planning for a self-sustaining, off-grid retreat center and intentional community in Peru, based on sustainability, personal growth, community living, and Human Design principles.

I. Project Vision & Goals:

• Core Idea: Creating a self-sustaining, off-grid retreat center and intentional community in Peru. The project is driven by a social and environmental impact mission, aiming to be a model for a more harmonious way of life.
• Focus: Sustainability, personal growth (using Human Design), community living, and creating a positive social and environmental impact.
• Location: Initially focused on the Santa Eulalia Valley, then shifted to the Oxapampa/Villa Rica region (cloud forest), briefly considered Junín, and is now focusing on areas north of Villa Rica.
• Land Requirements: Approximately 20 hectares, with suitable terrain for earth-sheltered construction, access to water (ideally a stream), and some flat areas for gardening.
• Self-Sufficiency: A key goal is a high degree of self-sufficiency in food, energy, and water.
• Long-Term Residency: Intention to create a community for long-term residents (6+ months), posing visa challenges.
• Non-Profit/Social Impact: The project is driven by a social and environmental mission, not profit maximization.

II. Location Exploration:

• Santa Eulalia Valley (Initially):
  • Pros: Closer to Lima, higher altitude (fewer insects), drier climate.
  • Cons: Less lush vegetation, potentially limited water, steeper terrain.
• Junín Plateau (Briefly Considered):
  • Pros: Vast open spaces, spiritual significance.
  • Cons: Very high altitude, extreme climate, limited vegetation, challenging for agriculture.
• Oxapampa/Villa Rica (Current Focus):
  • Pros: Lush cloud forest environment, abundant water, suitable altitude for diverse crops.
  • Cons: More insects and wildlife, potentially challenging terrain, further from Lima.
  • Specific Areas: Three potential plot locations identified north of Villa Rica, prioritizing pastureland or less intensive coffee cultivation, access to streams, and moderate slopes.

III. Practical Considerations:

• Land Acquisition:
  • Challenges: High coffee prices have increased land values. Competition for land. Difficulty finding online listings.
  • Strategies: Focus on land not in intensive coffee production (pasture, secondary forest), consider smaller farms or partnerships, prioritize local contacts.
  • Budget: Estimated $100,000 - $240,000 for 20 hectares, depending on location and features.
• Construction:
  • Earth-sheltered homes are a priority, requiring careful site selection (soil stability, slope orientation) and specialized construction techniques. Considering rammed earth and/or other sustainable building materials as alternatives or in combination.
  • Infrastructure needs: Access road, water system, electricity (likely off-grid), wastewater system, communication infrastructure (internet access).
• Water Feature:
  • Ideally, a stream that can be dammed to create a pond. Requires planning, engineering, and permitting.
• Temporary housing
  • Exploring options while permanent housing is built, including simple structures like tambos, yurts, or pre-fabricated cabins.
  • Considering leasing land for temporary use, possibly.
• Cost of Living (Pre-Self-Sufficiency):
  • Estimated $400-$800/month per person for a frugal lifestyle.
• Total Project Budget:
  • Realistically estimated at around $2 million USD, including land, construction, infrastructure, and operating expenses.

IV. Funding & Legal:

• Funding Challenges: Large funding gap between current capital ($1,000) and project cost.
• Funding Strategies:
  • Phased approach: Seeking funding in stages (land, infrastructure, construction).
  • Targeted investors: Impact investors, philanthropists, foundations aligned with the mission.
  • Potential crowdfunding or pre-selling retreat stays.
  • Exploring a sponsor for the $1,000/month income required for the Rentista visa.
  • Grants: Researching potential grants from organizations focused on sustainability, permaculture, and community development in Peru/Latin America.
• Visa Requirements:
  • Initial entry to Peru is visa-free for New Zealand citizens (up to 183 days).
  • Long-term residency requires a visa (Rentista visa is likely, but income requirement is a challenge).
  • Allowing visitors/residents 6+ months poses visa challenges. Requires legal consultation.
• Legal Structure:
  • Considering non-profit, for-profit, or hybrid models.
  • Need for a Peruvian immigration lawyer is critical.
  • The choice of legal structure will have significant implications for tax liability, funding options, and operational flexibility. Requires careful consideration and legal advice.

V. “Bugs and Scary Creatures”:

• Cloud Forest (Oxapampa/Villa Rica): Higher diversity of insects (mosquitoes, sandflies, etc.) and wildlife (spiders, snakes). Requires precautions (mosquito nets, insect repellent, awareness of surroundings) and a degree of adaptation.
• Higher Andes (Santa Eulalia): Generally fewer insects and lower risk of snake encounters, but it is important to remember scorpions and spiders may still be present.

VI. Current Focus (Pre-Contact Phase):

• Deepening Research:
  • Soil analysis (using remote sensing data).
  • Dam permitting regulations in Peru.
  • Refining understanding of the coffee market’s impact on land prices.
  • Permaculture Design: Preliminary research into permaculture principles and their application to the chosen site, including water harvesting, food forest design, and animal integration.
  • Community Building: Researching best practices for establishing and maintaining a thriving intentional community, including conflict resolution, decision-making processes, and shared governance.
• Developing a “Hypothetical Scenario”: Creating a detailed plan for the project, including location, land use, water feature, financial projections, and social/environmental impact.
• Preparing for Future Contact: Refining the project vision, developing a “one-minute pitch,” and creating a detailed proposal.

VII. Key Decisions Made:

• Shifted Focus to Oxapampa/Villa Rica Region: Prioritizing the cloud forest environment.
• Prioritized Land Not in Intensive Coffee Production: To mitigate high land prices.
• Emphasized Social Impact: Framing the project as a social experiment and model for sustainable living.
• Adopted a Phased Funding Approach.
• Prioritized Legal Counsel: Recognizing the crucial role of a Peruvian immigration lawyer.
• Accepted a Frugal Lifestyle: Minimizing living expenses initially.
• Prioritized Water Availability: Made water availability (ideally a stream suitable for damming) a primary criterion for site selection.
• Temporary housing and land: a good idea.

VIII. Communication Plan (Preliminary):

• Develop a communication plan to guide interactions with potential stakeholders:
  • Website/online presence (eventually).
  • Informational materials (brochure, presentation).
  • Social media strategy (longer-term).

Next Steps: Continue pre-contact research, refine the project vision, and prepare for outreach to potential funders and local contacts.