Ecovillages
The Global ecovillage movement dates back to the late 60s and early 70s of the last century. Groups of idealistic people moved to the countryside with the intention of changing their lifestyle to healthier ones. This back-to-the-land movement was the forerunner of the modern ecovillage movement. These ideas were further developed in the early 1990s. Ross and Hildur Jackson from Denmark created the Gaia Trust - Creating a sustainable world - Gaia.org to support the growing social movement towards sustainable development. The term "eco-village" has been firmly included in the public and scientific circulation.
In 1994 the Global Ecovillage Network - Community for a Regenerative World (GEN) was created. It was organized by representatives of several countries (Scotland, USA, Germany, Australia, Russia, Hungary, India, Denmark). Each ecovillage is unique, and there is no one definition of an ecovillage. GEN stands for ecovillage like "An ecovillage is an intentional, traditional or urban community that is consciously designing its pathway through locally owned, participatory processes, and aiming to address the Ecovillage Principles in the 4 Areas of Regeneration (social, culture, ecology, economy into a whole systems design)). Ecovillages focus on the emergence of a new culture, which can be an opportunity for a transition to a new quality of life.
Eco-villages are distinguished by:
In 1994 the Global Ecovillage Network - Community for a Regenerative World (GEN) was created. It was organized by representatives of several countries (Scotland, USA, Germany, Australia, Russia, Hungary, India, Denmark). Each ecovillage is unique, and there is no one definition of an ecovillage. GEN stands for ecovillage like "An ecovillage is an intentional, traditional or urban community that is consciously designing its pathway through locally owned, participatory processes, and aiming to address the Ecovillage Principles in the 4 Areas of Regeneration (social, culture, ecology, economy into a whole systems design)). Ecovillages focus on the emergence of a new culture, which can be an opportunity for a transition to a new quality of life.
Eco-villages are distinguished by:
- joint leadership is defining elements of ecovillages;
- rules of residence and entrance in comparing with cottage village;
- an ecovillage goes beyond the nuclear family, in contrast to the family estate;
- people with different religious beliefs can live in an ecovillage, in contrast to religious settlements;
- dwellers do what they like and make a profit;
- any violence is unacceptable, they greet vegetarians;
- they have common spaces, cared for together.
Suderbyn
Universal Problem
The ecological and psychological conditions in the metropolis are harmful to health. They are devoid of harmony in man-technology-nature cycle.
Solution
Creation of an international glocal community in the Arctic. Using an autonomous energy and environmentally independent module to ensure the vital activity.
Target Image
In the future, a permanent symbiosis will be formed between the city and ecovillages in all spheres (food production, education, culture, recreation, etc.). Cities will benefit from ecovillage innovation.
Experiment Framework
The settlement was established in 2008 by Robert and Ingrid Hall. It is located on Gotland Island in the center of the Baltic Sea. The tasks of the eco-settlers were to develop permaculture technologies as sustainable agriculture, create perennial forest plantations, study edible wild plants and organize life according to the principle of everyday minimalism, conscious labor, and care for the environment.
Now the community lives according to the created models:
● economies: the land is owned by the cooperative, there is an NPO. Business model: renting housing, organizing seminars, conducting research;
● ecology: permaculture gardens, compost toilet, showers without baths;
● cultures: openness to different cultures, passion for "TED talks" (conferences about advanced ideas in science, art, culture and business);
● society: permanent residents (12 people) and volunteers (15-40 people)
Now the community lives according to the created models:
● economies: the land is owned by the cooperative, there is an NPO. Business model: renting housing, organizing seminars, conducting research;
● ecology: permaculture gardens, compost toilet, showers without baths;
● cultures: openness to different cultures, passion for "TED talks" (conferences about advanced ideas in science, art, culture and business);
● society: permanent residents (12 people) and volunteers (15-40 people)
Tools and Technologies
An artificial ecosystem is being created.
Permaculture technologies provide:
Permaculture technologies provide:
- Growing vegetables using the aeroponics method with an installation of several aeroponic towers (80% self-sufficiency).
- Biocomposting of solid organic waste is carried out according to the Jean Pan scheme.
- Water circulation isolation is achieved through a biological anaerobic water purification system from organic pollution.
- To obtain energy, a wind generator is used based on the design guide by Hugh Piggott. The northern coastal regions are characterized by frequent recurrence of strong winds.
- Small-scale biogas-based power engineering and the Raketa heating stove are used to provide heat and energy.
- The community is built on the type of Sociocracy 3.0.
Scaling Plans
- To continue the development of the phytotron circuit.
- Continue to balance the energy complex.
- Build tiny-houses, hostels, vegan cafes.
- Build mobile homes, bungalows, containers for permanent residents.
- Engage motivated volunteers with specialized competencies to help the village.
- Involve scientists in ongoing and planned experiments.
Standards and Values
- Planning of consequences for nature for 100+ years ahead.
- Nonviolent communication and mutual assistance.
- Keeping in touch with the world, freedom of self-realization and work. Glokality.
- Comfortable living in nature while preserving the benefits of civilization.
- Healthy lifestyle, openness to different peoples and cultures, interethnic integration.
Communities and Leaders
Suderbyn is a small international community of activists (about 12 permanent residents), expanding with temporary volunteer residents (up to 40 people).
Robert and Ingrid Hall are the founders of the village. Oksana Alstrem-Lyubchenko is an active participant in conferences.
Robert and Ingrid Hall are the founders of the village. Oksana Alstrem-Lyubchenko is an active participant in conferences.
Allies
- The Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) is a global network of ecovillages.
- The headquarters of the Baltic Eco-Settlement Network GEN, the Swedish branch of the international volunteer organization SCI, the office of the Public Organization RELEARN, working with large European and local projects in the field of education and the environment, are located in Syuderbin.
- Ecolise works to increase cross-pollination between ecovillage networks, and attracts scientists who reflectively explain the processes and results of experiments.
What you can do to join the practice of ecovillages now:
- Learn how to create an ecovillage: Diana Leaf Christian "We create a life together" and other books from collection.
- You can explore information about friendly communities, local organizations and join them. And start learning: create homemade farm equipment for households; design and build houses from natural materials; to design agrobiocenoses.
- Join communities that prototype the future like BioGeoDome or start prototyping it yourself.
- Watch a video tour of the Suderbyn ecovillage and volunteer for the summer.
- Find out more about a stand-alone human livelihood project in Sweden.
- Plan a workshop or project session in an ecovillage.
