Sasya the Environment Soldiers

What is an Ecovillage?
Ecovillages are urban or rural communities of people, who strive to integrate a supportive social environment with a low-impact way of life. To achieve this, they integrate various aspects of ecological design, permaculture, ecological building, green production, alternative energy, community building practices, and much more. Read further >>

 

The Global Ecovillage Network is a global confederation of people and communities that meet and share their ideas, exchange technologies, develop cultural and educational exchanges, directories and newsletters, and are dedicated to restoring the land and living "sustainable plus" lives by putting more back into the environment than we take out.

 

Network members include large networks like Sarvodaya (11,000 sustainable villages in Sri Lanka); EcoYoff and Colufifa (350 villages in Senegal); the Ladakh project on the Tibetian plateau; ecotowns like Auroville in South India, the Federation of Damanhur in Italy and Nimbin in Australia; small rural ecovillages like Gaia Asociación in Argentina and Huehuecoyotl, Mexico; urban rejuvenation projects like Los Angeles EcoVillage and Christiania in Copenhagen; permaculture design sites such as Crystal Waters, Australia, Cochabamba, Bolivia and Barus, Brazil; and educational centres such as Findhorn in Scotland, Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales, Earthlands in Massachusetts, and many more.

 

GEN's main aim is to support and encourage the evolution of sustainable settlements across the world, through:

• Internal and External Communications services; facilitating the flow and exchange of information about ecovillages and demonstration sites;
• Networking and project coordination in fields related to sustainable settlements; and
• Global cooperation/Partnerships (UN Best Practices, EU Phare, EYFA, Ecosoc).

GEN operates mainly through the offices and volunteers of its three Regions:

• GEN Europe and Africa
  
• GEN Oceania
  
• The Ecovillage Network of the Americas.

Vision

We envision a planet of diverse cultures of all life united in creating communities in harmony with each other and the Earth, while meeting the needs of this and future generations.

Mission
We are creating a sustainable future by identifying, assisting and coordinating the efforts of communities to acquire, social, spiritual, economic and ecological harmony. We encourage a culture of mutual acceptance and respect, solidarity and love, open communications, cross-cultural outreach, and education by example. We serve as a catalyst to bring the highest aspirations of humanity into a practical reality.

GEN contributes to the worldwide transformation toward sustainability, by supporting ecovillages, joining with like-minded partners, and expanding education and demonstration programs in sustainable living.

Our objectives are to:

• support the development of ecovillages around the world;
• build strong international, national and regional networks of ecovillages;
• create an organizational structure capable of linking grassroots ecovillages and projects into a strong, participatory worldwide movement;
• develop Living and Learning Centers worldwide, to promote hands-on participatory education in sustainable living;
• support worldwide development of whole systems and experiential learning;
• advocate for sustainable communities in public forums;
• partner and collaborate with organizations and people who share our vision.

Read about GEN's history >>

 

Photo credits: flickr / spasmoid