FAQ – GEN Europe

Frequently Asked Questions

We receive many questions every day about ecovillages and our network. While we’re always happy to help, see if our FAQ can point you in the right direction!

You can explore…

The GEN Europe ecovillage map
The GEN project map (for projects worldwide)
Foundation for Intentional Community (North America)
Eurotopia Community Listings (Europe-wide)

Apart from these international maps and directories of ecovillages and communities, national ecovillage networks also keep more detailed maps and directories for their country. Here are some links to national ecovillage networks maps.

Visit out Get Involved page for some ideas! How about…

Using the ecovillages maps above to find an ecovillage near you to visit, volunteer, or attend a course
Attending the annual European Ecovillage Conference (held in summer, dates advertised on our website) or your nearest National Network gathering to meet ecovillagers and find out more about the movement
Join as an individual member to get access to information, resources and opportunities
Sign up to our newsletter to get regular news and updates about ecovillages

We often receive requests for specific lists of ecovillages (such as those that have a certain kind of school, course, or focus). As a small and busy team, we are not always able to respond to specific requests. Often by referring to the maps above, you can find the information you’re looking for.

GEN Europe annual offers European Solidarity Corps (ESC) opportunities at our main office in Spain, which we advertise on our news page and social media. If you have a specific service or skill you would like to offer voluntarily, such as fundraising or project-writing, you can get in touch via our contact page (link).

If you want to volunteer in an ecovillage, explore our ecovillage map (link) and get in touch with the communities you’re interested in! You can also check our volunteering page (link)

Anyone can start an ecovillage! But for the best chance of success, make sure that you and your group are prepared, and in it for the long haul, because as many pioneers of ecovillages will be able to tell you, it is not always easy. There are many tools out there to help you make your ecovillage project a success. Please consider using one or more of the following courses or tools to prepare your group:

CLIPS Community Learning Incubator Programme for Sustainability: CLIPS is based on learnings and insights from established ecovillage projects. These insights have been distilled into concepts and methods applicable to any group that recognises the value of community. You can download the CLIPS guide for free on the CLIPS website.
EDE: Ecovillage Design Education: It is possible to do an intensive one month long course on the creation of ecovillages, which is offered by Gaia Education. Ecovillage Design Education programmes, often referred to as ‘EDEs’, provide participants of all ages with the knowledge and practical skills to design a society which uses energy and materials with greater efficiency, distributes wealth fairly and strives to eliminate the concept of waste.
Colibris MOOC on designing an Oasis (in French): This online course allows you to learn about the different themes useful in designing an ecovillage project: rationale, governance, human factor, relational framework, legal assembly, financial package, ecological requirements, permaculture design, etc. The training includes 17 modules integrating 25 videos of courses, quizzes, practical fact sheets and case studies.
Bridgedale 360: A fun and free online toolkit for inspiring youth towards sustainable living and active citizenship. Bridgedale360 is comprised of over 80 experiential activities with which youth workers will inspire youth toward sustainable living and active citizenship. The core activities have been translated into 7 European languages.

GEN Europe is funded by membership fees from participating ecovillages, European project funds, and donations from generous individuals who feel called to support the movement. If you would like to give what you can to support the development of a transformational movement that is living the future today by becoming an individual member you can do so here.

There are many benefits to joining GEN Europe, and our national networks, as an ecovillage. Among them are free entry for a certain number of delegates to our annual conference, the ability to join working groups to steer the direction of the ecovillage movement, support with European funding applications, training and capacity building opportunities, publicity for your community and events, and much more…Find out more on our membership page (link), and if you have ideas about how GEN Europe could support your community, please get in touch!

Visit our membership page for all the details! There are various membership categories to choose from, depending on whether you are an individual, and organisation, or a new or established ecovillage.

GEN national networks bring together and give a platform to a wide variety of projects and players related to community empowerment and sustainability. We have put together a brochure and online resources to help new national networks through the Launch & Thrive project – find them here.

If you have more questions, don’t hesitate to contact our membership manager for support.

If you’re interested in ecovillage research, check out the Ecommunity platform, where you can find a library of ecovillage research as well as a place to post research offers and find ecovillages who are interested in research projects.

Do you work with an aligned organisation and want to know more about how we can partner and support each other? Contact our membership manager (link) for an exploratory conversation.

Ask Caro for answer