Hekate Conscious Ageing Foundation (HCAF) is a social venture and impact-driven organisation. Founded in 2019, HCAF arose from the realization that the EU and its member states alone cannot fully address the care, mental health, housing, and the climate and ecological crisis. Individuals of all ages and communities must take a more active, conscious, and strategic role in developing and sustaining the social, economic, and digital solutions critical to supporting Europe’s ageing population.
HCAF is dedicated to fostering a caring society that establishes the necessary structures, resources, and technologies to support individuals, communities, and organizations in achieving active, healthy, independent, and conscious ageing, and to provide dignity in end of life. We aim to play a key role in transforming the narrative around ageing, promoting intergenerational fairness, and encouraging positive societal change. We develop cross-regional collaborations with municipalities, NGOs, and other organisations to address challenges related to active and healthy ageing, care, housing, mental health, and digital inclusion across various EU countries.
HCAF combines its extensive expertise in conscious ageing, intergenerational cooperation, social permaculture, digital wellbeing, and social innovation to deliver a diverse range of activities. These include fostering community and ecosystem development, providing education, conducting research, promoting digital inclusion, offering consultancy services, and advocating for inclusive policies that support conscious ageing, all while prioritizing sustainability, innovation, and intergenerational fairness.
HCAF plays a unique role by integrating the perspectives of individuals, communities, and policymakers. This distinct profile enables us to observe how policy intentions translate into ground realities, daily practices, and tangible changes.
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Kinga Milankovics
co-founder, economist, permaculturist, carer
Conscious Ageing to me is a philosophical yet practical approach, that can help people grow. I strongly believe, that based on the experiences we gained in our lives so far, Conscious Ageing is one way to improve our freedom, lived in a responsible way.
What I did in the past
- Researcher and lecturer St Istvan University, Institute of Environmental and Landscape Management, Hungary (1994-2008)
- Activist in areas of social and environmental sustainability (since 1998)
- Founder or volunteer or president of a number of women’s organisations and green NGOs (since 1998)
- Hungarian delegate to the Board of the European Women’s Lobby (2008-2010)
- Monitoring Committee member of the Environment and Energy Operational Program, Hungary (2008-2014)
- Consultant for rural municipalities in environmental investment projects (2008-2012)
- Developing and implementing a gender-sensitive rural and community development program in the Godollo region, Hungary
- Studying, exploring, cultivating, and spreading the idea of permaculture, both its environmental and social aspects (since 2001)
- Trainer, teacher, organiser, facilitator, moderator in a countless number of trainings, self-support circles, women’s circles, study groups.
My current interest
- Purple and silver economy (mostly research and development)
- Social sustainability and the care-crisis in Europe (with focus on the UK, Malta and Hungary)
- Environmental and social sustainability and how permaculture can offer robust solutions
- Trainings on EarthCare and PeopleCare related topics
Awards, fellowships
- Active Citizenship Award of the American Embassy, Hungary (2012)
- State recognition by the Ministry of Social Affairs, Hungary (2008)
- Ford Fellowship in NYC, USA: Developing Community Leaders (2004)
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Milena Milankovics
co-founder, Gestalt Therapist, social entrepreneur
My life is driven by an endless curiosity to observe, explore, find meaning, and understand the interconnectedness of life – whether it’s a cell in our body, a human being in her/his environment, or Earth’s ecosystems. Reflecting on my own midlife transition and ageing, and simultaneously pondering the myriad challenges and crises in the world – such as mental health, demographic shifts, housing, and climate – became a pivotal catalyst for birthing the movement of Conscious Ageing. As a result, in 2019, I co-founded the Hekate Conscious Ageing Foundation.
Through my work in Conscious Ageing and conscious living, alongside the application of the Gestalt approach, I delved deeper into the design framework of Permaculture. This exploration helped me comprehend the beauty and wisdom of Nature’s intricate yet fundamental ecosystems, along with their interconnectedness. Today, Nature and Permaculture form another cornerstone of my life philosophy and are integral to my therapeutic, coaching, and organizational work. Since 2017, conscious ageing and conscious living have become foundational elements of my life, significantly shaping both my professional and personal spheres. This not only allows me to integrate Gestalt therapy, mental health, and (social) permaculture but also enables me to effect positive social change at individual, community, and societal levels.
What I did in the past
My career journey started with a fascination for systems and processes in corporate organizations. However, I soon realized the importance of the people using these systems. This led me to focus on learning about individuals within organizations, gaining expertise in organization development, change management, and coaching. Applying the Gestalt approach proved effective, prompting me to transition into becoming a Gestalt therapist, reflecting a natural progression towards a focus on human beings and their experiences.
My current research interest
- Midlife changes, Menopause
- Active and autonomous ageing
- Intergenerational co-creation
- Silver economy
- Social Permaculture
Team members
Nóra Taliga
Hekate Conscious You(th) Community and Impact Leader
I am a proud member of Hekate Conscious You(th) focusing on young individuals conscious, healthy and sustainable growth. I am a youth leader, trainer and facilitator, a mentor, a mover and shaker working with and for diverse groups and individuals. Helping people in a way or another has always motivated me. I aim to empower and guide youth to unleash their potential, find or create their personal and/or professional path, and to live the life they love, in many creative ways. My work combines deep care, multi-sectoral and multicultural experience, and a passion for life-long learning.
What I did in the past
I started my carrier in the corporate world back in Hungary, then turned to be obsessed with the non-profit sector. I worked with and learned from an organisation in a one-year-long program in Bulgaria, called European Voluntary Service. I was selected to participate in a six-months-long program in Spain, called Erasmus For Young Entrepreneurs. As some results of my post-graduate, life-long learning project I am a certified Digital Wellness Educator. I also hold a certification of Daniel Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence course which strongly contributes to the success of my education method. Since 2015 I have been training youth on digital wellness, emotional intelligence, leadership, personal growth, experiential learning, social inclusion, future orientation, entrepreneurship, diversity, and communication in Europe and Asia.
I’m currently working on
- Designing unique approach of applying the concept of Digital Wellness
- Post-certificate research on Emotional Intelligence
- Adapting Experiential Learning principles and methods (in)to diverse environments
- Community building
- Social responsibility & social entrepreneurship
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Orsi Viga
Partner, Gestalt Therapist, Trainer
People are and were always my main focus of interest. After working with people in organizations for 15 years, a year ago I decided to dedicate myself solely to therapeutic work. Now I work as a Gestalt Therapist with individuals and couples. I lead groups for women to enhance vitality and support the transition from one life phase to another. I also train Gestalt Therapists. I am the co-founder and managing partner of Budapest Gestalt Institute.
I love living, I am constantly learning which is joyful, exciting, also tiring and scary sometimes. I aim to support my clients in feeling more at home and alive in their life and relationships.
What I did in the past
I’ve been developing people and organizations as a consultant, trainer, and coach between 2005-2019 in Hungary. I was a teacher of Business Coaching at Budapest Business School.
Meantime I was trained in Gestalt Therapy at the Norwegian Gestalt Institute and since 2012 I’ve been working as a therapist with private clients.
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Petra Bardocz
Intern
I currently study Global Sustainability Science at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. There is a lot of talk about the need to become more conscious of ourselves and our environment in my field, and I believe that by being a part of Hekate I can do just that.
Growing up in an international environment taught me the importance and value of approaching all aspects of life with an open mind, and I enjoy being a part of something that allows me to help others using my own skills and experiences.
My interests include sustainable development, social equality, and personal as well as interpersonal well-being. In the past, I worked with groups and NGOs that focused on women’s empowerment, social and environmental sustainability, and permaculture.
Hekate 