In his book La Mémoire collective (1950), the French philosopher Maurice Halbwachs introduces the concept of a memory that transcends the individual’s personal recollection of the past, which he terms collective memory. Halbwachs argued that individual memory is always shaped by social frameworks, and that memory and society are mutually constitutive.

Later, the historian Pierre Nora popularized the term lieux de mémoire (French for “sites of memory”) to describe physical locations or objects that serve as repositories of collective memory—such as monuments, memorials, or archives. These can also be abstract, such as symbols, concepts, or events that act as focal points for collective remembrance.

Building on these ideas, the Co-Memo-S project explores eco-memories—past events and traditional practices that have shaped the ecological realities of communities in Bulgaria, Hungary, Cyprus, Spain, and Romania. These memories include not only environmental protests and ecological turning points but also local rituals, traditional practices, and intergenerational knowledge tied to nature.

Through this initiative, the Co-Memo-S project aims to deepen our understanding of how collective memory and ecological history are connected, and how this awareness can inspire meaningful environmental and social change.

The Eco-Memory E-Archive is a digital tool designed to help youth workers and local communities collect, preserve, and share socio-ecological memories—stories, practices, and events related to people’s relationships with nature, sustainability, and community life.

Through an interactive timeline-based interface, the archive encourages intergenerational dialogue by making these local memories visible and accessible. Youth workers can use it to foster connections between young and older people, inspire eco-action, and bring sustainability into public conversations in a community-centered way.

This archive is not just a collection of memories—it is a practical and educational tool that promotes active citizenship, amplifies underrepresented voices, and supports youth workers in becoming agents of ecological and social change. Make sure to explore the interactive practices that accompany each of the memories in the archive.

We welcome all youth workers, community workers and eco-professionals who are interested, to submit their own Eco-memories and link them to a specially designed interactive practice to foster the commoning of marginalized ecological memories. How to contribute? Please download the template below, fill it in in ENGLISH language and send to basavova@scas.bg. All submitted entries will be reviewed by the youth workers involved in the project.