¶ semente (seed)
semente (Portuguese for "seed") is a collaborative method for designing and visualizing collective projects and processes in a cyclical and regenerative way. It arises from a discomfort with the traditional format of projects, which usually have a defined beginning, middle, and end, disconnected from the lives and experiences of the people involved.
Unlike traditional models, semente proposes a flexible and adaptable approach, which allows the project to be started from different points:
- by the idea / people (the seed);
- by the questions to be addressed;
- by the practices to be developed;
- by previous experiences.
The semente method inverts the linear logic of projects, valuing the complete and spiral cycle. The element of renewal at each turn of the spiral is the seedbag (a combination of ideas, dreams, intentions, desires, and people, communities, groups). The seedbag is the starting point of the cycle, where ideas, desires, and people come together.
The broad visualization of the life cycle of a project created from the semente perspective goes through three stages:
- Seeding: The process of placing the seed in the soil, preparing the ground for the development of the project.
- Tending: The development phase of the project, where ideas begin to take shape and become concrete.
- Regeneration: The reflection phase on the project results, where lessons learned and challenges to be overcome are identified.
Seeding begins when the seed is placed in contact with the Soil, understood as:
- everything that is brought from the past, lessons learned and records of other projects and experiences;
- existing infrastructure: tools, equipment, facilities;
- material and immaterial resources.
The transition between Seeding and Tending occurs with the sprout (which can be a detailed project description, a prototype, or a pilot). The passage from Tending to Regeneration takes place with the fruits: project results, which can be both material and immaterial.
In addition, the method proposes the creation of a compost bin, a space to store for later solution the problems, the difficulties encountered, and the lessons learned. The idea is to systematize them so that they are considered in future projects, avoiding the repetition of mistakes. In turn, the silo is where what comes from the fruits is stored to generate more seeds.
semente seeks to generate conditions for the community to achieve its objectives, have positive results, and feed the process, creating new desires and intentions. The fruits of the project are not the final objective, but rather part of a larger cycle of development and transformation.
The method is collaborative and values the involvement of all participants. It has the potential to be used in different cultural and geographical contexts, due to the use of biological metaphors and accessible language. semente is concerned with creating projects that reverberate, regenerate, and continue to create over time.
English website here.
¶ Team
The semente team is currently composed of:
- Bernardo Schepop.
- Felipe Schmidt Fonseca.
- Maira Begalli.
¶ Partnerships
semente has the support of the University of Bristol and was created in Ubatuba, SP. Its initial phase in 2022 was developed in partnership with the Neos Institute. In 2025, it was improved during a residency at GAIATO
¶ Collaborators
Over the years, semente has had the contribution and participation of many people:
Last updated on 22.02.2025.
- Allan Iwama.
- Anna Gallafrio.
- Celina Rosa.
- Cynthia Demétrio.
- Daniela Del Valle Dominguez.
- Fabiane Borges.
- Felipe Penin.
- Geide de Paula.
- Gisele Silva.
- Heloise Amazonas.
- João Evoé.
- Juan Blanco Prada.
- Marcus Binns.
- Marina Nicolaiewsky.
- Manu Rabinovich.
- Mariana Romão.
- Mariana Vilela.
- Priscilla Romão.
- Renata Coelho.
- Robert Elmar.
- Sofia Galvão.
- Tatiana Prado.