NatureHub’s Weekly 10 Inspirations for Conscious Consumers #002
Week #002 — Worldwide #Eco-Villages
Welcome to NatureHub’s Weekly 10 Inspirations: a guide to help you “Find Good, Find Green, Find Local”.
As GEN (Global Ecovillage Network) Europe Conference is going on this week (10–14th July), we decided that this week’s topic should be #Eco-Village. In this article, we talk about 10 amazing and unique ecovillages throughout the world.
What is an ecovillage?
Ecovillages are communities (both traditional and deliberately formed) that aim to bring a more sustainable, eco-friendly, cultural harmony to life. Some ecovillages apply local religion or ancient culture to their practices, some are relatively modern and tech-oriented. However, no matter what style of ecovillage, it only has one goal — find harmony between humans and nature.
#1 Ecovillage Findhorn (Findhorn, UK)
The Findhorn Ecovillage is a synthesis of some of the very best of current thinking on sustainable human settlements. It is a constantly evolving model used as a learning environment by a number of university and school groups as well as by professional organisations and municipalities worldwide. Work on it began in the early 1980s under the auspices of the Findhorn Foundation but now includes a wide diversity of organisations and activities.
#2 Tamera (Portugal)
Tamera is a holistic peace research and education center where around 200 people work, research, study and live with the sacred alliance of all life. Based on the Healing Biotopes Plan — a global strategy for peace — they’re building a realistic model for a future without war. The project began in Germany in 1978 and moved to Portugal in 1995.
#3 PachaMama (Costa Rica)
PachaMama is a powerful gateway to profound, transformative growth. The ecological, spiritual community of PachaMama located in Guanacaste, Costa Rica is a platform for a deep voyage into healing, self-acceptance and expansion of consciousness. PachaMama is also an intentional and alternative off-grid village where people live their normal lives in harmony with nature. There is no belief system practiced here, rather a safe space is created for each fellow traveler to shed old layers, transcend limitations and discover wholeness. The Six Pillars that hold this alternative way of life are Meditation, Emotional Healing, Physical Rejuvenation, Native Ceremonies, Ecological Living and Mystical Musical Journeys.
#4 Ecovillage La Cite Ecologique (New Hampshire, US)
Ecovillage La Cite Ecologique was founded by Michael Deunov Cornellier. It is an ecovillage since 2003, practicing Organic Farming , Sustainable Living and Alternative Education. Most of members consider themselves an extended family; living together they find security, friendship, nonviolence, cooperation between generations, care for the elderly, and many other benefits.
#5 Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage (Missouri, US)
Dancing Rabbit is an ecovillage, sustainability demonstration project, and intentional community of about 70 people in rural northeast Missouri. They understand how difficult it can be to live sustainably and responsibly within modern US culture. Rather than isolating themselves completely from the mainstream, they promote DR as a viable alternative and enjoy sharing the idea of sustainable living with people.
#6 St. Pete Eco Village (Florida, US)
St. Pete Eco Village is a colorful eco-community founded in 2017. They are demonstrating sustainable living through green business development, urban agriculture and sustainable wellness.
#7 Crystal Waters (Queensland, AU)
Crystal Waters Permaculture Village was founded in 1984. It was the world’s first permaculture village. The Village is classified ‘Land for Wildlife’ and is seen as a beautiful Australian Wildlife Sanctuary; kangaroos and wallabies are a common sight in the community. Over 200 people of all ages living in Crystal Waters practice sustainable living culture.
#8 Govardhan Ecovillage (Taluka, India)
Govardhan Ecovillage is an ISKCON community near Mumbai. A model farm community and retreat center allow you to live an entirely transformative life. They practice a fusion lifestyle with Vedic wisdom and modern eco-science. In Govardhan, you’ll experience biodiverse culture from all over the world and get to experience Yoga, pure Ayurveda, and a 100% vegetarian life.
#9 Annapurna Ecovillage (Astam, Nepal)
Annapurna Eco-Village is a family run mountain resort lodge providing traditional cultural experience with comfort of modern day style amenities. Surrounded by panoramic views — white peaks, lush green valleys and meditative sunrises and sunsets — the Annapurna located in majestic Himalayas is definitely a heavenly place.
#10 Mt. Fuji Konohana Family Eco Village (Japan)
Konohana Family is an agriculture-based community at the foot of Mt. Fuju in Fujinomiya, Shizuoka, Japan where about 100 non-blood-related members live as one big family. Members in the community practice a traditional Japanese culture and mentality — devotion. People connect and support each other and live harmoniously with nature and other living beings on the earth.
More! Future Ecovillage — RegenVillages
An eco village is not just a concept of living in a traditional way. It’s much more than that, and there are so many ways to create one. Some organisations have been trying to create a modern ecovillage with a vision of highly sustainable technology in a community that manages farming, power generation, waste, water recycling, and much more locally. Sounds fantastic, right? Well, it will soon be a reality. It’s being constructed near Amsterdam as a pilot model and the concept is expected to be brought to Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Germany.
🌱 Eva Chou — Conscious Community Ambassador at NatureHub
🌱Assistant Author — Share. E
If you enjoyed this article, don’t forget to leave some claps and share it with others. We at NatureHub are trying to save the planet by encouraging people to live in a healthy and sustainable manner. If you believe in our cause and want to help, follow us on Medium, Twitter and Instagram.
Join the budding community of conscious consumers right now and help save the planet! The NatureHub Conscious Community app is now available on both Google Play Store and iOS App Store. Download here.
