The ecovillage at Findhorn is a tangible demonstration of the links between the spiritual, social, and economic aspects of life and is a synthesis of current thinking on ecological human habitats. It is a constantly evolving model providing solutions to human and social needs while at the same time working in partnership with the environment to offer an enhanced quality of life for all.
The Community is comprised of more than 600 individuals who live and work in this rural area of Scotland. They come from over 40 countries to join the experiment in discovering what is necessary for joyful, sustainable living. The built environment is gradually growing to reflect shared ecological values.
The Findhorn community has been known internationally since 1962 for its experiments with new models for holistic and sustainable living. Today it is at the heart of the largest intentional community in the UK and the centre a continuously evolving and developing ecovillage. Started in a caravan park in the northeast of Scotland, the Findhorn Foundation is now a major centre of adult education conducting programmes for more than 5,000 residential visitors a year from over 50 countries.
Cooperation and co-creation with nature have always been a major aspect of the Foundation’s work. From its earliest days, it became well known for its beautiful gardens grown in adverse conditions on the sand dunes of the Findhorn peninsula. Since 1981 the Findhorn Foundation has been involved in the development of the ecovillage as a natural continuation of its work with nature. A number of other organisations within the community work in partnership with the Foundation to help make the project a reality.
The Findhorn Foundation is a founder member of the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) and is a Non-Governmental Organisation associated with the United Nations Department of Public Information.
Membership & Visitors
- Current members: 600
- Open to new members
- Open to visitors
Most people who wish to join the community first participate in a week-long programme called Experience Week (EW), which offers an introduction to the cultural, social, and spiritual life of the community. We believe it's essential that newcomers undertake EW, which is in fact, a requirement if you wish to volunteer in the Findhorn Foundation (FF).
Having done EW, people are in a much better position to know if they wish to join the community or not. Many (particularly those who aspire to join the FF) stay on and do further programmes: Being in Community (BIC), Living in Community as a Guest (LCG), and Leap, which is the Foundation's 'apprenticeship' programme. These folk become FF coworkers and most of them live in FF accommodation.
However, it is also possible to be a member of the community and not be a coworker of the FF. (The FF comprises just 120 coworkers, whereas the community as a whole has upward of 600 members.) People do come and move directly into the 'wider community' as it's called. They buy or rent accommodation and set about establishing a life for themselves. But also for these folk, we believe it's important for them to do Experience Week. And they need to join our community association, the NFA (New Findhorn Association) if they wish to participate in community life.
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