What are Ecovillages?
Cloughjordan ecovillage is a member of the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) which defines an ecovillage as ‘an intentional or traditional community using local participatory processes to holistically integrate ecological, economic, social, and cultural dimensions of sustainability in order to regenerate social and natural environments’. It sees them as one solution to the great problems of our times, the limits to growth and the unsustainability of our societies. It states: ‘Ecovillages, by endeavoring for lifestyles which are “successfully continuable into the indefinite future”, are living models of sustainability, and examples of how action can be taken immediately. They represent an effective, accessible way to combat the degradation of our social, ecological and spiritual environments. They show us how we can move toward sustainability in the 21st century (Agenda 21)’. In 1998, ecovillages were first officially named among the United Nations’ top 100 listing of Best Practices, as excellent models of sustainable living (GEN website).
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. The means by which an ecovillage grows and evolves are as follows:
Community aspects
Recognising and relating to the needs of the local community
Sharing common resources and providing mutual aid
Emphasising holistic and preventative health practices
Providing work by fostering ecological business ideas
Promoting unending education
Fostering cultural expression Ecological aspects
Growing food as much as possible within the community bio-region
Supporting organic food production
Creating homes out of local materials where possible
Using village based renewable energy systems
Protecting biodiversity
Fostering ecological business principles
Assessing the life cycle of all products used from an ecological point of view
Preserving clean soil, water and air through proper energy and waste management
Protecting nature and safeguarding wilderness areas Cultural aspects
Shared creativity, artistic expression, cultural activities and celebrations
Sense of community unity and mutual support
Shared vision and agreements that emphasise the cultural heritage and the uniqueness of each community The European Ecovillage Network www.gen-europe.org