Many ecovillages and communities try to create alternatives to the global finance system that support the regional economy. Dancing Rabbit in Missouri, US, has been highly successful in this: “We’re the only intentional community I know of where an individual can pay for all their daily living expenses with locally currency", says a member. Jonathan Swiftcreek reports. Until May, 2007, Dancing Rabbit (DR) - a 70-resident ecovillage in rural northeast Missouri - utilized a time-based and … Read more
intentional communities
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
Empowering Global Co-Evolution 12 Helpful Attitudes for Empowering Global Co-Evolution Through GEN
´Gaia’s non-linear influence of coincidence can be trusted´, says Clinton Callahan, speaker and workshop facilitator at the 2013 GEN Europe conference. This is one of twelve attitude shifts, he has found so far, that can strengthen a person's ability to contribute, both locally and globally, to human co-evolution through the Global Ecovillage Network. Draft notes of a deepening conversation. 1. COINCIDENCE HAS CONSCIOUSNESS Human beings are Gaia’s biology experiment trying … Read more
Young People Active in Ecovillages Two young people share their thoughts and experiences on this question
Two young people share their thoughts and experiences on this question: Nébesna Fortin from La Cité Écologique, Canada; and Kira Taylor-Hoar, USA, who has travelled through different ecovillages in Europe. How La Cité Ecologique challenges the next generation By Nébesna Fortin In many Ecovillages, the question of keeping young members active in the community is a big challenge. Many young adults leave their home ecovillage to experience other lifestyles. In the Canadian ecovillage, La … Read more
Center for Transition Shall Help GEN in Australia
The Centre for Transition (CT) is based in Australia and was created out of a strategy planning session of Transition Towns Tasmania in late 2011. The vision for the CT was reinforced at Findhorn Ecovillage in Scotland. Founder and CEO, Andrew Olivier, is also an Ambassador for GEN Australasia. CT will play a key role in helping GEN to get up and going in Australia. The CT plans to operate across Australia and will be a reference point to find out about workshops and intentional communities … Read more
Community Convergence The Fast Growing Ecovillage Movement in Romania
The last two years have shown a real trend of growth in new initiatives in Romania, and all over Central and Eastern Europe. There is an accelerating pace in the starting of new projects, and in the connections being made to the existing global and European networks. In June,2013, the new community Aurora, in Romania, will be the venue for Community Convergence. By Andrei Iuroaia Many new communities are being founded in Romania, and a growing number of people are intending to make the … Read more
Invitation to the 13th Vision Council: "The Call of Quetzalcoatl" in Mexico
Since 1991, a growing network of alternative projects from all over Mexico has been gathering annually, bringing together hundreds of representatives from different complementary movements and experiences, from Mexico and other countries on the planet. For the last 21 years we have held twelve Vision Councils (Consejos), with people coming from indigenous nations, emerging intentional communities and ecovillages, healers, permaculturists, artists, social activists, youth, children and elders, … Read more
The ‘Rain Boat’ of the Amazon A Contribution to an Intentional Sustainable Future
Expedition Barco Iris is a home, a means of transport, a stage of a conscious theatre and an itinerant school that shares knowledge amongst indigenous people and settlers. Barco Iris is one contribution to an intentional sustainable future as well as being Carleton Vaux´ and Henny Freitas´ house, floating through the heart of the Amazon. Our ‘rainboat’ is a tri-maran constructed with materials such as giant bamboos, recycled products and plantation timber. It is used by us to promote cinema, … Read more
Decision-making in Earthaven Why Earthaven Ecovillage, USA, Changed Its Decision-Making Method
Decision making processes are a big and challenging topic for communities and ecovillages. While many started with the consensus principles, most have changed that in the meantime, as they feel it gives individuals too much power to block the group. Diana Leafe Christian, longtime editor of Communities Magazine and member of Earthhaven Ecovillage in USA, has observed the processes in different communities and gives an overview. “Consensus . . . allows each person complete power over the … Read more
The adventures of the EarthCode project
EarthCode is a portal of information that hosts the findings of two adventurers in search of an intentionally sustainable future. By documenting the experiences whilst visiting or residing in settlements, eco-villages and communities, EarthCode’s discoveries report on sustainable aspects of life, be it for intentional or survival reasons. It also documents on the efforts of individuals that contribute to the global awareness of positive life and values local expressions of emotion through … Read more
