The project “Ecovillages for Sustainable Rural Development” financed by the EU’s Baltic Sea Region Programme, 2007–2013, which started in February 2010, is approaching its completion, delivering a number of significant results. Aimed at fostering the development of ecovillages as a more sustainable way of living in rural areas of the Baltic Sea Region, the project has been implemented by project partners from Lithuania (the lead partner), Finland, Latvia, Poland and Sweden. In addition, the … Read more
Consultancy
Fall and Rise in Scotland The Fall and Rise of the Scottish Community
Ecovillages and community based organisations have a different history, but they can lead to a similar effect - the economical and ecological revitalization of regions. The example of Scotland shows how this can happen and why also the government has joined in to support this process. After a decline in the 20th century, communities in Scotland are thriving again. At the ICSA conference in Findhorn, Alex Walter described the rise of Scottish communities, and some of the opportunities that … Read more
Thailand towards sustainable living Ecovillage Festival Chiang Mai as a Venue for New Co-operative Initiatives towards Sustainable Living in South East Asia
In Thailand, another exciting cooperative initiative between government - or stakeholders - of the South with the Global Ecovillage Network has commenced. GEN representatives join hands with ETA (Ecovillage Transition Asia), to support ecovillage strategies for sustainable development in South East Asia. Jane Rasbash and Kosha Joubert report. Bicycle water pumps, meals served in banana leaves, and beautiful hand woven cloth were just some of the attractions at a recent Ecovillage Festival at … Read more
Permaculture Works in Chile Together with the Ecovillage Movement
Chile has always been a hotbed of revolution, starting from the Mapuche resisting Spanish occupation for some 400 years. Today we see a young generation with fire in their bellies and dreams of a sustainable future, waking from decades of repression, a generation taking on the powers that be in subversive acts of peace, love and a solutions-based response. Permaculture and ecovillages are two practices that they are taking into the future, says Grifen Hope. The Permaculture community of Chile … Read more
What Makes an Ecovillage? A Perspective from the Yarrow Ecovillage
Yarrow is the name of a wild flower found growing in many places and very useful for medicinal healing. Yarrow is also the name of an ecovillage that was created 11 years ago in the British Columbia, Canada and has 65 inhabitants. As such, Yarrow belongs to the 5% of ecovillages which survive the first ten years, according to statistics. Michael Hale from Yarrow Ecovillage writes about the art of sustainability. Thinking back a decade and more in the history of the Yarrow Ecovillage, one may … Read more
Ghana Permaculture Institute Achieving secure, stable food systems and improving quality of life for all
GEN Ghana was founded in 2013. One of its members is the Ghana Permaculture Institute, a non profit organization in Techiman, in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. Paul Yeboah shares the work of this initiative, which has been supported by the UK based company Lush. It shows how permaculture and ecovillage principles provide solutions for regions that are ripe for making the change to a more sustainable lifestyle. The Permaculture Institute was established especially for the rural dwellers, … Read more
Colombia Ecovillages growing together towards a unified movement
After enduring sixty years of armed conflict and malcontent, the people of Colombia are rising to the country’s longing for a life of peace, stability and well-being. Towards this action, the Ecovillage movement is combining with Colombian grassroots organizations – being those of the Campesinos, Indigenous and Afro-decendant people. While the first vital steps have been taken, there is still a long way to go. In order for these powerfully distinctive forces to enter into a co-operative dialogue … Read more
