Citadel Garden was founded by Rahim Taghizadegan, an economist and physicist with a long-standing interest in building parallel structures to existing systems. After years of teaching at universities in Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Germany, and publishing extensively on decentralization, education, and long-term thinking, the focus shifted from theory to practice.

Instead of waiting for institutions to adapt, the goal became to quietly build something better,  starting with land, homes, and real ownership.

The first steps were taken in Istria, Croatia, where development began on a small village designed for families seeking long-term stability and flexibility. At the same time, Citadel Garden connected with a group of families in Madeira, already developing their own unschooling-oriented project, A Place to Be. Rather than impose a model, the team offered to support and strengthen what was already underway.

From these early foundations, Citadel Garden is growing as a network of places where ownership, family life, and independent living can thrive. The work is ongoing, and the approach is intentional. Each village will be shaped by its own land, people, and potential,  but all are built with the same clarity of purpose.