Reflections from the GEN Europe Gathering 2025 in Hungary

By Rodrigo Braga, Global Ecovillage Network

This summer, I had the privilege of joining the GEN Europe Gathering 2025 in Hungary. Each afternoon began with a one-hour sharing circle—a space where hearts, minds, and visions came together. My group included Ross, Heather, Amena, Steffen, Margarita, Yuluka, Henny, Jules, Daniel, Dorota, myself, and on different days, Grace, Dolores, Kin, Natalie, Elisangela, and Anna. I am sorry for not introducing each one of them in this short article, but I can tell you that they are all brilliant people with strong engagement with the network. What unfolded in these circles became a living thread of the gathering: reflections on where we are as a movement, and dreams of where we could go.

Day 1: Relevance in a Changing World

We began with a sober reflection: how is the ecovillage movement perceived today?

Once, ecovillages were seen as a reference point for permaculture, natural farming, facilitation, economics, and sustainability practices. Now, other organizations and networks have specialized in these areas, and our courses—once a strong source of income—have lost some of their appeal. This creates a challenge: ecovillage infrastructures  and lifestyles risk becoming less attractive and underfunded.

Steffen pointed out that many of us are so immersed in local and regional projects that international engagement often falls low on the priority list. At the same time, some CASA and GEN Africa representatives voiced concerns that without financial incentives, it’s difficult to maintain consistency in managing platforms and projects. The circle agreed that redistributing resources must be part of the solution.

I asked Ross to recall the original purpose of creating GEN International 25 years ago. He reminded us that GEN was born as a funnel for resources, distributing funds from Gaia Trust to the regions, while also providing administrative coherence—and ensuring regional autonomy.

The conversation expanded into new relevance:

• Using AI to translate GEN resources, making them accessible across many languages.
  
• Supporting regional gatherings with some international representation.
  
• Encouraging those who engage digitally to also join in-person gatherings and trainings, where the true magic happens.
  

Day 2: Technology and Trust

Our second day focused on technology as a bridge. One idea lit up the circle: a “Network Passport”, an identity recognized throughout GEN.

This came alive when we recalled the Ukraine war: welcoming displaced Ukrainians was easier because trust already existed through GEN connections. A shared network identity could make future collaborations—housing, volunteering, resource sharing—more seamless.

The vision grew:

• A mobile app (as Dolores, an app specialist, offered to support) rather than desktop tools, since most people now live through their phones.
  
• Patterns of needs and offers across ecovillages could be better matched if platforms were interoperable—not only within GEN, but across the wider regenerative movement.
  
• In time, the Network Passport could extend beyond GEN, uniting allied movements.
  

Day 3: Rethinking Economics

On day three, Grace shared her fascinating work on alternative economics. After years of experimenting with tokens, crypto, and DAOs, she concluded that these systems often replicate abstraction of relationships and disconnection—something misaligned with GEN’s values.

Instead, she proposed a model based on evaluation of trust in relationships. In some communities, trust already enables access to housing, food, and even vehicles without money changing hands. At the network level, this could translate into peer-to-peer exchanges backed by trust and satisfaction, rather than tokens.

Grace even developed a game to help people experience these dynamics, and she offered case studies from her research.

As we discussed, another theme emerged: aging ecovillages. Many communities now seek better access to volunteers to attract more youth to experiment their lifestyle, and a shared volunteer database could become a valuable resource.

Day 4: Looking Ahead

Our final circle was about takeaways and next steps.

One participant suggested that GEN’s communications should also target businesses and governments, not just our usual audience. Ross reflected that, from the perspective of the 1990s, GEN has achieved a great deal—especially in engaging youth—but still hasn’t reached its full potential. He encouraged exploring joint ventures and partnerships, including opportunities in India.

For me, it was affirming to see how much excitement exists around the new GEN platform. The ideas people voiced align with what we are already implementing—showing we’re moving in the right direction. I also feel the weight of responsibility in coordinating this work, but equally, the joy of knowing we are building something the network truly wants.

Workshop & Collective Energy

That afternoon, I hosted a workshop on the new platform with around eight participants. Their enthusiasm was contagious, and their ideas matched many features already on our roadmap. 

I took the opportunity to gather a list of contacts eager to be beta testers and supporters for the platform.

Dorotae from Findhorn was so energized that she took the stage later in a plenary session, shouting: “Go Rodrigo!”—to which the whole hall erupted in cheers.

Sharing Dreams, Sharing Meals

Much of the gathering’s richness came in informal meetings and meals.

At a platform working group lunch, GEN Europe expressed interest in embedding the new subscription into their membership program. CASA, GEN Africa, and GENOA also voiced strong support, with Elisangela offering to share her prior platform planning work. Daniel from GENNA called the project “a 10-year-old dream coming true.”

Anna shared the Transition Network’s platform plans. While complementary in mapping, they overlap in communication tools. She emphasized the need for a shared GEN communication channel, something we could integrate into the new platform.

Over dinner with Angel and other tech colleagues, we discussed the IT Toolbox and how it might be embedded in GEN’s platform subscription.

Meanwhile, resilience emerged as a key theme across workshops and keynotes, particularly in Anna’s contributions.

Also indigenous and traditional communities perspectives were appreciated with a beautiful workshop held by Sonita, Konkankoh, Coffee, Thalea, Yuluka and Margarita.

 Closing Reflections

Walking away from Hungary, I felt a deep sense of gratitude. The gathering reminded me of GEN’s unique role as a connector—weaving together people, regions, and dreams into a stronger whole.

The challenges are real: staying relevant, funding our work, bridging digital and physical spaces, building awareness of the different contexts, cultures and de-colonialism. But the creativity and commitment I witnessed give me confidence. Whether through a Network Passport, trust-based economies, or the new GEN platform, we are shaping tools that serve our communities and the wider regenerative movement.

The work ahead is big, but so is the energy. And most importantly: we are in this together.