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Home , Ecovillage, Sustainable living

as a Model of Practiced

COMMUNITIES FOR THE FUTURE ECOVILLAGES

Christiania, Denmark

The movement is growing: worldwide, new communities and inhab- itants of existing villages and suburbs are consciously choosing the path of . In the face of both ecological and economical crises, poverty in the South and social isolation in the urban North, people are coming Spirituality

5. Socially Engaged together to assume joint responsibility for their region, its and their social surroundings. In the process they find themselves actors in and creators of their own reality.

they seek to consciously re-adjust their Their examples make clear points: our surroundings: citizens who are together can be significantly seeking ecological or social changes in reduced; it is possible to revitalise region- their village or neighbourhood. al economic and cycles; and this constitutes an important counterweight The Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) Ecovillages and communities are models to globalisation. Ecovillages enrich has its origins in the intentional communi- of lived sustainability; they inspire their regions with ecological business and em- ty movement: places where people could region and pass on their experience. ployment opportunities, cultural activities, learn and live in experimental ways. In a very practical form, they show how and enhanced attractiveness for families. Today, established communities play an an ecologically and socially sustainable They are therefore an active contributor increasingly important role in GEN as way of living increases our quality of life. to positive demographic change.

2 Highlights from a Global Network: What is an ecovillage?

“Ecovillages are established village communi- Did you know? ties or intentional communities that are shaped through conscious interaction of all their commu- nity members. An ecovillage improves the quality • The ecological footprint of Findhorn is half the average of life for humans and at the same time contrib- size of Great Britain. utes to protecting and regenerating the surround- • The Senegalese government has decided to support ing nature. The four dimensions of sustainability 14,000 traditional villages in their journey towards – , economy, social issues and culture – becoming ecovillages. are integrated into one holistic unit.” • Damanhur in Italy has created its own currency. • The Ecovalley project in Hungary combines 100% self-sufficiency, engagement in social work for the whole region and a religious way of living.

Ecovillages and communities worldwide combine modern • The first ecovillage in Holland, Ecodorp Bergen, is and traditional knowledge with sustainable innovative initi- being built on a former military base. atives in agriculture, energy, management, • In Columbia, indigenous peoples, refugees and small and refuse management, architecture and social participa- farmers have come together to build peace-loving tory processes. They are a making a decisive contribution communities where no weapons, no violence and no within our to the quest for local solutions to global alcohol are allowed, in order to counter the violence in problems. the country. • The ecovillage ‘movement’ in Latin America is indeed GEN unites communities from all over the world and links ‘on the move’: with buses, horses, and people them to members from the sustainability movement in poli- on foot, the EcoCaravanas educate villagers around tics, business and science. the country on ecologically sustainable ways of living. • The ecovillage Auroville was tasked by the Indian gov- ernment to compile a development plan for its entire region. • The government of the Chiang Mai province in North- ern Thailand has decided to work with Ecovillage Transition to transform their entire region into an eco-region.

The knowledge and contribution which ecovillages can make to a sustainable can be divided into four key areas, or ‘dimensions’. These are further explained on the following pages.

Hameau de Buis, France 3 ty ituali Spir CULTURE AND ged ally Enga 5. Soci WORLDVIEW

Ecovillages can be found with a Findhorn wide variety of different cultures and world views, but there is The in Scotland Peter Caddy and Dorothy Maclean. always at least one value in com- was founded in 1962 and today has over When they used the messages they mon: respect for life. Responsibility 400 members. It is an ecovillage and an received, the blossomed. In the and active involvement with the international centre for holistic learning. end they understood that they were in Earth and all its inhabitants are the The founding principles of the Findhorn a partnership with nature: co-creation. basis for a culture of sustainability. Foundation and are: It became clear to the founders that This ethic transcends all cultures the answers for mankind to the chal- and religions. • deep inner listening, and acting from lenges of our time had to include our that source of wisdom interaction with all life: “By changing our • co-creation with the intelligence of consciousness and listening to our inner The lived communal experience nature source of wisdom, we can bring about is a permanent school, teaching • service to the world. the positive and sustainable changes us to relate to all life. In this way, we learn responsibility, friendship From their self-description: “Meditation that the Earth needs.” and tolerance, even towards in all its forms – sitting in stillness, sing- More: www.findhorn.org those beings with different ing, dancing, contact with nature, work- appearances, feelings, thoughts ing – all of this puts us in touch with our or beliefs. In order to express inner source of wisdom. Before every and fill life with our connection to group activity we tune into each other Earth and its creatures, differ- and into the work at hand. This leads ent ecovillages take different to a feeling for our joint motivation and paths, create a variety of rituals, purpose. In that way we can act in a way and reactivate old traditions. that benefits everyone – the individual Even communal living itself can as well as the group and life itself.” be treated as a path to greater Deep inner listening inspired the estab- awareness, incorporating daily lishment of the first Findhorn , chores, mutual help and service planted by the founders Eileen Caddy, in harmony with Creation.

4 The Community in Schloss Tonndorf – Culture in the Midst of Life

The in Schloss the elderly in the day-to-day activities, concerts, readings, exhibitions and Tonndorf brings together families or creative exchange and mutual sup- markets, attracting some 7000 visitors and individuals who have been living port in the realisation of professional each year. Every month there are Info together since 2005 on this property, visions. Café afternoons for visitors wanting to situated to the south of Weimar. All find out more. And recently Weimar’s of the members share a desire for a Meier, co-founder and archi- and Erfurt’s tango enthusiasts have self-determined, meaningful life, with tect explains: “We offer regular tours been regularly sighted floating through mutual support in day-to-day activities through our site, between building the castle foyer.” and a stimulating, social atmosphere. containers and bobby cars. Partici- pants are school children staying at More: www.schloss-tonndorf.de These “self-selected kin” are testing the Tonndorf school hostel or hiking liveable alternatives together: a freely groups from the vicinity. We also chosen and non-dogmatic group of organise and host public festivals and

people that can be certain of mutual solidarity. For their residence, they chose an abandoned listed building with the ‘cultural landscape’ surround- ing it – a feature which often presents rural district leaders with difficulties.

Communal life in Schloss Tonndorf offers a chance to shape different aspects of life together in an inde- pendent way: interaction with children, support for single parents, inclusion of

5 pirituality

5. Socially Engaged S THE ECOLOGICAL DIMENSION

Ecovillage Sieben Linden – The energy requirement for heating is Ecovillages show that water, food, Saving Energy with Sustaina- one-third lower than the German aver- building materials and energy can age thanks to good insulation, passive ble Construction be obtained in sufficient quantities in solar, and the use of solar thermal healthy regional lifecycles, all without collectors and . If With some 100 adults and 40 children, having to sacrifice our quality of life. the warmth from the sun is not enough, Sieben Linden in the Altmark region -fired heating is used, fuelled of Germany sees itself as a model Energy autonomy: The ecological mainly from the ecovillage’s own socio-ecological project. footprint of any community can be woodlands. reduced substantially with ecolog- Some of its principles: Through its cooperation with the ical building techniques and ther- • Construction criteria with strict eco- ecovillage, the village Poppau, where mal insulation, passive and active logical standards – low-energy and Sieben Linden is located, has once use of , as well as the passive houses again become an attractive, active and replacement of energy intensive • Heating exclusively by means of growing community with lots to offer forms of . wood and solar energy families and young people. Water: Water and • Photovoltaics supply a large part of More: www.siebenlinden.de sewerage quantities can be the power consumption reduced significantly by means of • Ecological gardening – c. 70% and storage, self-sufficiency for fruit and vegeta- constructed wetlands for waste- bles water treatment, separation of • Own constructed wetland sewage drinking water and greywater, and treatment . Most of the low-energy houses in Food: Most ecovillages produce Sieben Linden are straw-bale con- their own food and use their own structions. Each of the new buildings is fruit, vegetable, grain and animal a research project for this new way of products. The most important building, which is also the topic of spe- principles in this area are: compan- cialist seminars held by the ecovillage. ion planting, diversity, no artificial The external rendering on the build- fertilisers or pesticides, use of own ings is mostly clay sourced on-site. seeds, and freshness.

6 Construction: An increase in the qual- ity of life and environmental conser- vation is made possible with the use of regionally sourced, and insulation materials such as clay, paper, straw and waste. Waste: Nature’s example is to be followed here as ecovillages reduce their waste by means of closed cycles, composting and .

Kibbutz Lotan, Israel – Commodity Cycles in the Arabah Desert

The progressive Kibbutz Lotan was For its high-yield garden in the de- established in 1983 by young Israelis sert, the community does not use any and Americans. Some 150 people artificial fertilisers or chemical pesti- make a living here from agriculture, cides: instead, they ensure effective and workshops. The composting of all kitchen waste, community’s own Centre for Creative straw and cow dung. A water-saving Ecology is a research and education alternative to water closets is com- facility for , alternative post toilets, which the community has building and sustainable . developed to fulfil high hygiene and technical standards. “Reduce-reuse-rethink” is the slogan Picture credit: GEN Archive for the commodity cycle in the Kib- More: http://www.kibbutzlotan.com butz Lotan. With a lot of engagement and specialist knowledge on com- posting and , the community has over the last few years reduced its waste by 70%. A large part of the recycled waste is used in alternative building projects throughout the Kibbutz. By means of workshops and seminars, the community shares their ecological knowledge with thou- sands of people.

7 Dyssekilde, Denmark THE SOCIAL

ality

y Engaged Spiritu 5. SociallDIMENSION: COMMUNITY

Another vital factor in sustainability is the art of living together: it is no use Healing Biotope 1 Tamera - Portugal having the best farming or energy The peace-research community Tam- a communication form where all systems, organic houses, and closed era, with 150 residents, was estab- issues, including the most intimate water and recycling cycles if commu- lished in 1995: as a model for a culture affairs, are talked about in the circle nity members are constantly arguing. that relies on trust and contact in all and heard by all in the group. This aspects. The site was in the process leads to a climate of transparency and Human beings are communal crea- of desertification, which could be halt- trust, which supports the community tures. Complimenting each other, ed by means of a permaculture-based development. sharing and living together, even water landscape and thus converted Tamera’s community has three ethical quarrelling and conflict: these all into a food-rich biotope. A stone circle ground rules: truth amongst each belong to our . Our ancestors at Tamera is an artistic expression of other, responsible participation, and overcame challenges together as cooperation with the Earth. Tamera’s mutual help. clans, tribes and extended families; main research area is the dissolution the modern, isolated lifestyle in of the inner structures of violence and More: www.tamera.org single households does not suit most war – especially in love. people. One of Tamera’s guiding principles: “There will never be peace on Earth Nevertheless, many communities as long as there is war in love. fail due to jealousy, competition and We are searching for a togetherness power struggles. Some communities where the affection of one person for that overcame their crises and gained another person never results in a third valuable experiences in doing so are person feeling anger or jealousy or now offering their knowledge to new the fear of loss.” initiatives, including advice on meth- Tamera (amongst other communities) ods of communicating in large groups, develops and uses the “Forum”: conflict resolution and participatory decision-making.

8 Experience and Advice from Communities:

• Diversity is the essence of every community. Unity needs to exist in its underlying vision. • Art and everyday life: A community should clearly organise its daily routine, leaving enough time for art and culture, vision-building and games, spirituality and meditation. • Transparency: Sweeping things under the carpet which everybody can feel but nobody talks about – this can be deadly for the sense of community. Forms of com- munication are needed in which all members are heard and constructive criticism and feedback can be offered. Humour is helpful here. • Leadership: Decisions that affect everyone need to be made and supported by everyone. The decision-mak- ing structure of communities cannot be a hierarchical Schloss Tempelhof pyramid but has to be a circle. Nonetheless, grassroots The “Community and Future-Workshop Schloss Tempelhof” democracy needs to be intelligently organised. Even has flourished since September 2010 on a 32-hectare site communities need people with leadership qualities, who in Hohenlohe, a district in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. dare to tackle and talk about the most difficult things. There are 80 adults and almost 30 children living there. They • Children: An African proverb says: It takes a whole operate a forest crèche, a free school, and a seminar busi- village to raise a child. Looking after children together ness with a guesthouse. There are also carpentry, construc- tion, building, caravan manufacturing, garden and agricultural represents an increase in the quality of life for children, operations. parents and childless community members alike. • Gender roles: Gender dynamics exist everywhere where The community’s fundamental values are solidarity, diversity, men and women interact. If we are aware of this togeth- ‘all leaders’, a culture of relationship and communications, er, we can easily overcome gender roles and discrimi- responsibility for oneself and the whole, an economy that nation against women. Women’s and men’s circles are promotes potential, and sustainability in social, ecological helpful here. and economic behaviour. Decisions are made by consensus. Structuring meetings are public.

From the founding paper “Caring for each other”: “We give each other a basic promise to help each other when some- one is sick, can’t work anymore or is in existential difficulties. In a newly understood ‘contract of the generations’, those that are capable of being economically active should support those that are incapable of being economically active (chil- dren, elderly and sick).”

More: www.schloss-tempelhof.de

9 Ecovillage Design Education 5. Socially Engaged Spirituality THE ECONOMIC DIMENSION

The Federation of Damanhur

Damanhur is a spiritual community in Every citizen supports the common advancement and development, the North of Italy. It was founded over projects according to his desire and including start-up enterprises. In thirty years ago, stretches over numer- ability. These would include the Damanhur you can find money ous villages and has approximately purchase of new property, educa- exchange machines which change 1000 citizens. It is well known for its tional programs and artistic works. All credito to Euros or vice versa. underground temple. citizens dedicate a portion of their time More: www.damanhur.it to the community. The economic system in Damanhur combines entrepreneurial thinking The credito is a regional, complimenta- with communal solidarity. The wealth ry monetary system. It started 30 years of Damanhur expresses itself in its ago and supports economic houses and properties, schools and services, art and gardens, forests and meeting places, as well as in the feel- ing of belonging together, safety and awareness of each individual. The citizens of Damanhur are respon- sible for their own income. They run their own enterprises, are freelancers, or work in Italian companies. People that work full-time in the communal social services are supported by their fellow members. The same holds true for people without income, the old, the sick and those studying.

10 Fair, just, in solidarity, transparent and interest-free – these are the hallmarks of a Regardless of the specific form a com- sustainable way of conducting business. Regional and local economic cycles need a munity chooses: trust, communication corresponding finance system that retains value in the region. and feedback within the group are essential for the system to work. Residents of ecovillages are con- have different answers, from differ- scious consumers, producers and ent ecovillages. In which way do you traders – mainly of local goods. Within divide the entire property? How do their community and in the region, you reflect that legally? Do you have they are establishing models for a new private and/or communal businesses? economy. Here small-scale economic Is work for the community paid? Do experiments can take place, on the individuals have separate incomes or basis of trust and pioneering spirit: does everything get paid into a com- from communal savings munal kitty? What funds are organised to regional currencies, from communally? How does the communi- trade circles to community banks and ty care for its members if they get sick, gift economies. old or weak? Or if they wish to leave the community? There are many questions when it comes to the economy. And they gASTWERKe, Germany

live different worldviews, which all have In this way, the community is an ex- respect for each other’s values as a ample of social justice, redistribution foundation.” and practical solidarity. The communal organic gardening company, Wurzel- The community buys its buildings werk, operates together with the and properties together and transfers garden of the neighbouring Nieder- ownership to a non-profit organisation. kaufungen – according to The members live together in a com- the principle of community-supported mon economy. “We contribute into one agriculture: a group of people commit account, from which we then draw the themselves to pay a fixed amount in money we need for satisfying individual advance to the garden every month. needs. Some of us do not have our own The company then operates with that income because we work on-site for The gASTWERKe Intentional amount and distributes the harvest the community. Others have well-paid Community in Escherode amongst the group. In that way respon- jobs and others earn their money in the sibility, risk, cost and yield are shared various companies within the communi- The gASTWERKe is a living and work- by all. ing community with about 40 people ty. The surpluses made by these com- near Kassel. Decisions that affect panies and the wages of the workers More: www.gastwerke.de everyone are made by consensus. “We flow 100% into the common economy consume with care, take part in social account, which we all have access to.” and political exchanges, respect and

11 ECOVILLAGES INTERNATIONAL A STRATEGY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT WORLDWIDE

CONSEJO DE ASENTAMIENTOS SUSTENTABLES DE LAS GEN International is a global network. It connects projects of AMERICAS the north with the south in a joint movement of learning from one another regarding sustainable development: permacul- ture, solar energy, natural water management and building with regional raw materials, as well as social knowledge around the issue of decision-making, the strengthening of women, and conflict resolution. In the global north these are all issues which can improve the quality of life; in crisis areas they may even be issues which decide whether a region survives.

Africa: Antidote to urbanisa- the favour with their tradi- tion tional knowledge. In this way, development aid takes Every year, almost 14 million on a new, mutual meaning. African men and women More about GEN Africa: move from the countryside www.gen-africa.org to the city; 70% of these end up in slums. Ecovil- Asia: lage communities can offer Ecovillages as civil protection people new opportunities: A few ecovillages and employment and education transition villages serve as Wongsanit Ashram Thailand in ecological , centres of excellence for the food independence with prevention of natural and methods, environmental disasters. cooperatives and social Faced with typhoons, floods entrepreneurship, Fairtrade and nuclear reactor disas- deals with the global north, ters, knowledge of earth- joint action against poverty, quake-proof construction violence, rape and destruc- methods using local building tion of nature, as well as em- materials, reforestation with powerment of women. Mem- indigenous trees, natural bers can benefit from the water management experience of ecovillages in and social competence can Huehuecoyotl Mexico the global north and return often decide whether a

12 region would survive a natural disaster children and youth. They connect and develop joint strategies, including or not. Ecovillages in the Philippines, knowledge, stories and messages from fundraising work. Partnerships with a Japan, India, Thailand are practicing countryside dwellers and pass them range of social organisations and par- and teaching these techniques and on, contributing in a very welcome way ticipation in international conferences also offer direct relief in their particular to the active spreading of the message and training courses within the Eco- regions. that we need to live sustainably. village Design Education (EDE) frame- The GEN network in Latin America is work all serve knowledge transfer from Latin America: Ecovillages on the move called CASA (Consejo de Asentami- and for ecovillages. By bus, on horseback, on foot or in entos Sustentables de las Américas: In this way, a social movement is form- mobile homes, the EcoCaravanas http://casa.ecovillage.org/ ing. Although it is still rather inconspic- travel all over the South American sub- uous, it is nonetheless very effective, continent. In remote villages they invite GEN International with real potential for change for the people to festivities with dance and GEN International connects the ecov- many peoples living in our one world. music. During these festivals they also illages of the north with the south and More about GEN International: teach ecological agriculture methods, maintains contact to other social move- www.ecovillage.org show how to construct solar cookers ments, developmental organisations, and compost toilets, exchange seeds state institutions and non-governmen- with locals, promote the planting of tal organisations. It performs public trees, and hold video workshops with relations work to promote ecovillages

Senegal: A Government as Midwife for 14,000 Ecovillages

The government of Senegal has rec- ognized the benefits which ecovillages offer the country: in August 2008, the Environment Ministry issued an aim of supporting every second village to transition into an ecovillage. That would be 14,000 villages. In the same breath, the Environment Ministry also changed its name to the Ministry for Ecovillages and Sustainable Devel- opment. GEN International has been accompanying this development since 2002. Today, there are already 100 villages in Senegal who are members of GENSEN (GEN Senegal): More: www.gensenegal.org

13 ECOVILLAGES AND SOCIAL CHANGE

“At present, we are stealing the future, selling it in the present, and calling it GDP.” Paul Hawken, environmen- talist, entrepreneur, bestselling author, USA.

“Ecovillages may be compared to yoghurt cultures: a small, dense, rich concentration of activities whose aim it is to change the environment that they are in.” Jonathan Dawson, former GEN President

“One of the strongest resources available to humanity is the good intentions and creativity of citizens wanting to be part of the solution instead of the global problem. GEN helps to free up this potential by showcasing best practice examples.” Kosha Joubert, President of GEN International.

“As ‘Oberndorfer’ we do it together!” Oberndorf on the Oste – a Small Village Trying Out Collaborative Democracy

In October 2010, the village Obern- surplus for redeveloping the village. A dorf started a village development photovoltaic plant on three communi- process, which was supported by the ty-owned roofs has been bringing in Oldenburg based institute for Partici- profits ever since. patory Design. People interested in village develop- A “village workshop” was organised ment meet on a specific date every for everyone who wanted to actively month in a forum: a place to exchange take part. In the beginning there was ideas openly. At present there are an inventory: What do we have? What many Oberndorfer projects: the do we want? A village in Lower Sax- planting of an orchard meadow with ony with a of about 1500, old fruit types, the revival of the village school, kindergarten, doctor, village pub, a heating plant, and more. shop, bank branch, many clubs – but More: www.die-oberndorfer.de meagre funds in its account. Oberndorf founded a co-operative with the aim of earning money through tangible projects and generating a

14 A quiet revolution is presently occurring on our planet. Outside the major conurbations – in villages and town neighbourhoods – citizens are joining together to assume responsibility for their surroundings, for the nature around them, for social themes, and for their ecological and economic behaviour. In living rooms, in bars and around kitchen tables, ideas are discussed and initiatives are born which are practical and directly reduce

CO2 emissions, revive communities and create job perspectives. With a great deal of private initiative and from the grassroots up, agricultural operations and neighbourhood centres, seed markets, urban permaculture, barter schemes and local curren- cies, collective photovoltaic facilities, free schools, self-governing village banks with microcredits, and many other projects are arising. Many of these ini- tiatives are inspired by examples from ecovillages Güneşköy: Bridge to in and the long-term experience of intentional com- Turkey munities – and many are even receiving tangible support and know-how from them. The ecovillage Güneşköy sees itself as a bridging project This number of the groups is growing. The more to sustainable lifestyles in both rural and urban areas. It was they network and recognise each other as part of established in 2001 on a 74-hectare property in the vicinity a wide-reaching and very diverse movement, the of the traditional village of Hisarköy, 65 km east of Ankara. more power for massive change they develop. The property was treeless and severely eroded. Since then, the community has started its organic agriculture, planting Permaculture networks, the move- vegetables and other products and then selling them in ment, and the Global Ecovillage Networks are Ankara. The neighbours from Hisarköy have been helping three important carriers of this global movement. them right from the beginning, and five families have also In many areas they help to coordinate knowledge now switched to organic agriculture. transfer, public relations work, and communication with policy makers. Güneşköy supported the establishment of two organic markets in Ankara and inspire numerous other activities re- lating to healthy nutrition, and ecotourism. Together, Güneşköy and the community Çankaya in Ankara organised a seed-exchange festival in the centre of town, as well as workshops on permaculture. Güneşköy and GEN have already held three Ecovillage Design Education (EDE) workshops for the exchange of students and young people from Turkey and other countries.

Los Angeles Ecovillage 15 Legal Notice Publisher: Photo credits: Global Ecovillage Network of Europe e.V. p. 2: Christiania, Denmark / GEN Archive Training: Sieben Linden 1 p. 3: Hameau de Buis, France/Hameau de Buis The global education program of GEN – The Ecovillage 38489 Beetzendorf p. 4: Findhorn, Scotland Court of registration: District court Stendal p. 5: Schloss Tonndorf, Germany Design Education (EDE) is now offered in 35 countries on all Registration number: VR 2529 p. 6: Sieben Linden, Germany continents and offers international participants experienced Responsible as per §5 TMG (Telemedia Law) p. 7: Dyssekilde, Denmark / GEN Archive Ulrike Schimmel In box: Kibbutz Lotan, Israel knowledge on sustainable development. More on EDE p. 8: Nigel Dickinson Editors p. 9: Ecovillage Design Education Course / courses: www.gaiaeducation.net Leila Dregger, Ulrike Schimmel, Kosha Joubert, GEN Archive Kariin Ottmar, Jonathan Klodt In box: Schloss Tempelhof, Germany Layout p. 10 Federation of Damanhur, Italy Publicity: Liesbeth van Deemter p. 11: gASTWERKe, Germany / gASTWERKe p. 12: Wongsanit Ashram, Thailand / Wongsanit The GEN Europe conference lasts a number of days and is English translation Ashram Genoveva Johanna Reck-Thomas and Craig held in a different ecovillage each year. It is open to all its Huehuecoyotl, Mexico / Jan Svante Vanbart Meulen p. 13 In box: Senegal members as well as interested public. 1st edition, January 2014. We would like to p. 14 GEN Archive More: www.gen-europe.org, www.gelebte-nachhaltigkeit.de, thank all the communities and ecovillages for In box: Die Oberndorfer, Germany their cooperation and provision of texts and p. 15: Los Angeles Ecovillage, USA / GEN www.facebook.com/gelebtenachhaltigkeit images. Archive In box: Ali Gökmen The GEN International Newsletter with news of hope from all Back cover: Alec Gagneux continents is published four times a year and is sent out to 12000 subscribers. More: http://gen.ecovillage.org/ Online Tools: GEN makes the experience of ecovillages accessible world- wide with online tools. Ecovillages as well as relevant events around the world are listed and described in a comprehensive database with easy- to-use, interactive maps. This platform integrates forums and other modern social media tools, offering users the possibil- ity to inform, exchange and make connections worldwide. http://sites.ecovillage.org/ or http://db.ecovillage.org/ In the Solution Library, anyone can publish tried and tested solutions to the issues of sustainable living. More: http://solution.ecovillage.org NextGEN: NextGEN is the ‘next generation’ of the Global Ecovillage Network: a very lively and active initiative from the under-30s in the movement. NextGEN unites youth and young adults from all continents who are searching for new perspectives and who wish to be the solution they want to see for the world. More: http://nextgen.ecovillage.org

This brochure was funded by:

The responsibility for its contents lies Place of the Children in Tamera with the authors.