Family of Consciousness

The Research Lab is a new space for connection, exchange, and inspiration, bringing together researchers, practitioners, and students interested in ecovillages and regenerative communities. Our intention is to create a vibrant laboratory where we can learn from one another, strengthen collaborations, and advance collective knowledge. 📅 Date: Wednesday September 23rd🕓 Time: 10:30 Brazil / 13:30 UTC / 15:30 CEST (1.5 hour) Zoom link: https://unibas.zoom.us/j/61404061682   Register Here: https://unibas.zoom.us/meeting/register/io_jg3SJQGqRAaIi0eXazw Transitions towards the pluriverse: Place, difference, alliances and autonomy in two Latin American ecovillages Presented by Dr. Rebeca Roysen Professor at the Graduate Program in Tourism and Hospitality, Co-leader of the Sustainability Transitions and the Pluriverse of Alternatives (TranS-PlurAL) research group, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí (UNIVALI), Brazil This study proposes an alternative analytical framework for sustainability transitions research by drawing on critical scholarship on grassroots innovations and post-development studies. Rather than focusing on scalable innovations and socio-technical regime change, it introduces the concept of Transitions Towards the Pluriverse (TTP)—a bottom-up, decolonial, and context-sensitive approach that recognizes the diversity of transition pathways and places local communities and grassroots innovations at the center of transformations. Through two case studies of Latin American ecovillages, Dr. Roysen explores four key analytical dimensions—place, difference, alliances, and autonomy—to examine how ecovillages promote (or sometimes fail to promote) transitions towards the pluriverse. Whether you are an experienced researcher, a practitioner, or a student beginning your journey, you are warmly welcome to join us. We look forward to learning, exchanging ideas, and building this community together. Recent publications by Dr. Rebeca Roysen Roysen, R., Pereira Prado, M. M., Bruehwiler, N., Kos, L., & Koehrsen, J. (2026). Transitions towards the pluriverse: Place, difference, alliances and autonomy in two Latin American ecovillages. Sustainability Science. Roysen, R., Ayala, D. H. F., Ramos-Mejía, M., Kos, L., Bruehwiler, N., & Koehrsen, J. (2026). Replicating grassroots innovations in the Global South: A case study of ecovillages for marginalized groups in Colombia. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions. Roysen, R., Fagundes, G. M., Kos, L., Bruehwiler, N., & Koehrsen, J. (2025). Building a World-Ship: A decolonial approach to just energy transitions. Human Geography. More information: Ecovillage Research Global Ecovillage Network 

July 17–24, 2027 | Vermont, USA Discover community living in the heart of Vermont’s Green Mountains Spend eight days exploring eight intentional communities across Vermont, a state with a long tradition of cooperative, ecological and community-centered living. Visit a diverse mix of communities including Cobb Hill Cohousing, Headwaters Ecovillage, Living Tree Alliance, Burlington Cohousing, White Pine Cohousing, Heartbeet Lifesharing, Bristol Village Cohousing and Threshold Village. Travel from Burlington into Vermont’s small towns, farmland and forested countryside while experiencing a wide range of approaches to intentional living—from urban and village-based cohousing to rural ecovillages, regenerative farms, spiritually rooted communities and lifesharing. Meet residents, tour homes and shared spaces, participate in community activities and learn firsthand about sustainable building, permaculture, cooperative decision-making, local food systems and the realities of creating a life in community. Along the way, enjoy some of what makes Vermont special: organic farms, farm-to-table food, artisan cheese, maple syrup, mountain hikes, swimming, waterfalls and beautiful summer landscapes. The small traveling group also becomes a community of its own, offering plenty of opportunities for meaningful conversations and connections throughout the journey. A great fit for: Prospective community members, people curious about cohousing and ecovillage living, aspiring community founders, and travelers interested in sustainability, local food, regenerative living and experiencing a more connected way of life. Learn more about this tour: https://www.ecovillagetours.com/vermont

July 28–August 4, 2027 | Oregon & Washington, USA Explore innovative communities across the Pacific Northwest Spend eight days exploring eight inspiring ecovillages, cohousing neighborhoods and intentional communities across Oregon and Washington. Visit communities including CoHo Ecovillage, Meadowsong Ecovillage & Lost Valley Education Center, Cully Green, Sahale Learning Center, Fifth Street Commons, Songaia, Sunnyside Village and Rooted Northwest, and meet the people creating innovative approaches to living more collaboratively and sustainably. Experience a remarkable variety of community models—from urban cohousing and established ecovillages to regenerative farms and emerging communities. Learn firsthand about collaborative governance, permaculture, natural building, ecological stewardship and creative approaches to housing. The journey also includes special opportunities to explore Portland’s renowned placemaking movement with architect and City Repair founder Mark Lakeman and learn from Pocket Neighborhoods author and architect Ross Chapin. Along the way, travel through the forests, farms, islands and vibrant cities of the Pacific Northwest, ferry across Puget Sound and stay overnight in several of the communities for a more immersive experience of everyday community life. A great fit for: Prospective community members, aspiring community founders, people interested in cohousing and regenerative living, and anyone looking for inspiration and practical ideas for creating more connected, sustainable ways of living. Learn more about this tour: https://www.ecovillagetours.com/pacific-northwest

I am looking to bring together 6–8 like-minded couples to create a small, self-sufficient, off-grid community in the Eastern Cape., South Africa. Rather than buying land first and then looking for people to join, the idea is to form the founding group first and choose the land together. By combining our resources, skills and experience, we may be able to secure a better property and create something that genuinely suits the whole group. This is intended as a long-term community, not a holiday retreat. It will involve work, responsibility, cooperation and a willingness to learn and contribute. We are particularly interested in retired or semi-retired couples without dependants who are still physically capable and have practical skills or experience in areas such as: Farming, food growing or permaculture • Livestock • Solar, electrical, IT and off-grid systems .  Water farming and Waste management • Mechanical/engines/general maintenance • Healthcare or nursing • Project management, organisation and conflict resolve Each couple would be expected to bring both a useful skill/experience and a financial contribution. The exact structure and investment would be developed collectively by the founding group, with appropriate legal agreements protecting everyone’s interests and possibly managed under a professionally set up Trust Fund There would also be a trial/assessment period before a commitment. The most important thing is finding the right people — practical, trustworthy, respectful and genuinely interested in building a simpler, sustainable life together. If this sounds like something you would seriously consider, please get in touch and tell me a little about yourselves, your skills, your current situation and why this lifestyle appeals to you. The land hasn’t been bought yet — that’s deliberate. Let’s find the right people first, and then find the right place together. I can be contacted on- Ke******@***oo.com I’m eagerly waiting to hear from you