30 Years of Regeneration: Celebrating GEN’s Anniversary Year
Thirty years ago, a vision took root.
A vision of communities living in deep connection—with each other, with the land, and with the future. A vision of ecovillages as a symbol of hope for our planet.
That vision became the Global Ecovillage Network.
Three decades later, GEN has grown into a thriving ecosystem of initiatives, projects, and people dedicated to reimagining how we live. Dreamers have boldly reimagined communities as living laboratories for regeneration that is both ecological and socioeconomic. Across continents, ecovillages have restored landscapes, pioneered new governance models, and built economies rooted in care. Together, we have proven that another way is not only possible—it is already happening.
Below is a picture of GEN’s founding day at Findhorn, with representatives from ecovillages all over Europe and North America:
A Year of Celebration and Action
In 2025, we invite you to celebrate GEN’s 30th anniversary with us. This is not just a reflection on the past—it is a moment to gather, strengthen our network, and chart the course for the next three decades of transformation.
One of the most exciting moments of this anniversary year will be the European Ecovillage Gathering in Hungary, August 12-17th at Manas Garden. This special event will be a meeting place for ecovillagers, changemakers, and allies from around the world. To ensure diverse participation, GEN will sponsor members from our regional networks to attend, making space for voices that are often unheard in global conversations on sustainability. Gather with us there for an experience we are working to make unforgettable.
The Gathering will also feature an open call for workshops, inviting those with wisdom and experience in regenerative living to share their knowledge. Whether you are a seasoned ecovillager, a social innovator, or a researcher exploring new frontiers of sustainability, we encourage you to apply.
Celebrating 20 years of Gaia Education
This year, we also celebrate a vital part of GEN’s ecosystem: 20 years of Gaia Education. Since its inception, Gaia Education has empowered thousands of people with the knowledge and tools to design regenerative communities and lifestyles.
Rooted in the Ecovillage Design Education (EDE) framework, Gaia Education offers transformative learning experiences that integrate social, ecological, economic, and worldview dimensions of sustainability. The EDE has since been taught in 55 different countries. From in-person courses in ecovillages around the world to online programs that reach a global audience, Gaia Education has been instrumental in spreading the wisdom of ecovillages far beyond their physical boundaries.
As we mark this milestone, we honor the educators, facilitators, and learners who have carried this vision forward, especially our shared founder, Ross Jackson, and the members of the founding team, May East, Declan Kennedy, and Jonathan Dawson, among others. The work of Gaia Education continues to inspire and equip the next generation of changemakers to build a thriving future—one community at a time.
Reviving the GEN Ambassador Program
As part of this milestone year, we are also relaunching the GEN Ambassador Program. This program has long served as a bridge between GEN and the wider world, amplifying the voices of ecovillage leaders and advocates.
Our first step is to reengage our existing ambassadors, reconnecting with those who have carried GEN’s vision forward in their regions. Then, we will open new opportunities for participation through monthly calls—a space for ambassadors to meet, exchange ideas, and co-create initiatives that strengthen the global movement.
Join Us in This Next Chapter
We are celebrating, and yet we still commit to the work ahead of strengthening connections, sharing knowledge, and growing together. The challenges we face today demand bold action, deep collaboration, and the courage to build new systems of resilience.
Be part of GEN’s 30th Anniversary!
Attend the Gathering, apply to lead a workshop, or step into the role of a GEN Ambassador. This network exists because of people like you—those who believe in a different way of living and are willing to make it real.
Have an idea for an anniversary project that will help create more awareness about ecovillages? It could be art, event, or research project.
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