Global ecovillage network
Description of what the network is about
The Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) is a global grassroots network of ecovillages and other intentional communities across the globe.
Societal problem they want to address
GEN addresses several societal problems, including unsustainability and injustice in the broadest sense of the word. In their own words: “The Global Ecovillage Network envisions a world of empowered citizens and communities, designing and implementing their own pathways to a sustainable future, and building bridges of hope and international solidarity”.
Societal domain
Ecovillages are inherently holistic and integrated, so it is difficult to pinpoint one societal domain. Domains that are addressed in ecovillages include housing, planning, energy, built environment, agriculture, education, health and many more.
Basic aim of network
In their own words: “Our shared purpose is to link and support ecovillages, educate the world about them, and grow the regenerative movement – to inspire, scale and facilitate communities and people from all walks of life to become active participants in the transition to a resilient and regenerative human presence on Earth”.
Contribution
In their own words on their website, GEN aims “to innovate, catalyze, educate and advocate in global partnership with ecovillages and all those dedicated to the shift to a regenerative world”. I would add that GEN and the ecovillage movement more generally has a very high prefigurative power, in terms of showing what holistic and regenerative alternatives can look like in practice.
For more information
Website of the Global Ecovillage Network
Example of earlier research on the Global Ecovillage Network from a social innovation perspective
Research question about translocal networking
What is the transformative power of ecovillages to contribute to just sustainability transitions and how could this transformative power be increased?
Entry done by
Flor Avelino at the Wikithon event 15.11.2022.