Ecovillage education

The purpose is to create an education, which gives sufficient practical and theoretical knowledge to build and teach the building of sustainable settlements as well as the restoration of nature everywhere on this planet. The first step is to have the dedication, persistence and knowledge to be a pioneer in this (Hildur Jackson, Denmark).

Ecovillages are ideally suited to serve as educational centres for the wider society. For years ecovillage have been developing educational initiatives (workshops, seminars and semester programmes) open to all interested people. They are creating a process, which gives practical and theoretical knowledge to build sustainable settlements and implement Earth restoration everywhere on this planet.

Gaia Education

This GEN programme was launched at Findhorn in October 2005 by a group of Ecovillage educators calling themselves The GEESE (Global Ecovillage Educators for Sustainable Earth.) The key program is a UNITAR-endorsed 4 week holistic introduction to designing sustainable settlements called Ecovillage Design Education (EDE), based on the GEN "living and learning" principle. In four weeks you get an overview of all you need to know to design sustainable settlements all over the world.
For up-to-date information on the Gaia Education project visit www.gaiaeducation.org.

Gaia University

Gaia University offers a unique approach to higher learning by offering students (called Associates) access to accredited Bachelors and Masters degrees and Graduate Diplomas whilst the Associate is actively engaged in self and planetary transformation. With Gaia University, Associates link their ideals with self-directed practical experience, acting as world changers by working for local and global sustainability and regeneration, justice and peace.
Our self-directed action learning methodology enables Associates to study locally, at work or on project, in their own language, supported by Gaia University's Regional Organizers, and a worldwide network of learning providers, tutors and mentors.
Find out more on www.gaiauniversity.org

Living and Learning in Ecovillages

Many European ecovillages offer such education in the form of courses, seminars, conferences and more.
You can find events by some of them in our events database (click here), or you can contact our members directly from the Ecovillage directory (click here).

GEN calls places where such education takes place "Living and Learning centres".
If you are interested to learn more what they are either download the Living and Learning brochure as pdf or go to gen.ecovillage.org for online information.

"Living and Learning Brochure" (pdf 316 kb)

Websites of Living and Learning Centres in Europe:

The Findhorn Foundation, Scotland:
www.findhorn.org/ecovillage

ZEGG, Germany:
www.zegg.de

Damanhur, Italy:
www.damanhur.it

Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT), Wales:
www.cat.org.uk

and more…