GEN Africa

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 

In a busy city, it’s easy to forget that people have always found ways to live closely together, with each other and with the land. Around the world, communities are quietly remembering how. Join us for an evening of stories from people who have spent their lives building community. From the hills of Aotearoa to rural Thailand, they’ll talk about how their communities began, what has held them together, what they’ve learned from indigenous wisdom, and what keeps them going when things get hard. This isn’t a how-to workshop. It’s a space to listen, be inspired, and reflect on what community, resilience and regeneration could mean for you. You will hear from Robina McCurdy, founder of TUI Community, Aotearoa (New Zealand) Thalea Tane, indigenous advocate (Te Roroa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Whakaue), Aotearoa Om Sunisa Jamwiset Deiters, founder of Gaia Ashram, Thailand The talk is hosted by the Team at Global Ecovillage Network Oceania & Asia (GENOA): Thảo Kin (Vietnam) and Na Limwatana (Thailand)

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