Global Ecovillage Network – Suisse has the following provision in its statutes: An ecovillage/ecocommunity can become a member of GEN-Suisse as a settlement community of at least five people whose concerns are the integration of human activities, sustainability, the use of environmentally friendly materials, the promotion and use of renewable energy and the support of holistic human development’ – “common ground”.
It is important to us that the intentional communities, ecovillages and transition projects that are part of the GEN-Suisse network fulfil the GEN-Europe criteria listed below: What is an ecovillage and what is not an ecovillage.
What is an ecovillage?
Ecovillages are a manifestation of conscious human innovation and creativity: groups of people living out their principles, regenerating their environment and strengthening their sense of belonging and purpose as a community.
An ecovillage is an intentional, traditional or urban community that is consciously designed in all four areas of regeneration (social, cultural, ecological and economic) through participatory processes at the local level to regenerate its social and natural environment.
Ecovillages come in all shapes and sizes around the world: from traditional villages using centuries-old techniques to modern settlements built with the latest ecological innovations.
…and what is not an ecovillage?
Each ecovillage is unique and there is no strict definition of an ecovillage. However, there are some groups that are not ecovillages, including…
- Families living together: The family may often feel like a community – but the intentional process of creating an ecovillage goes beyond the nuclear family.
- Religious groups: An ecovillage may have different religious beliefs, but that is not what defines it as an ecovillage.
- Cults and similar groups: Cults have charismatic and unaccountable leadership and are based on coercive practices. In contrast, participation and shared leadership are the defining elements of ecovillages.
Based on the definition / declaration of tolerance of GEN-Europe