Global Ecovillage Network Conference 2012

Ecovillages act as research and training centres for sustainable development within wider society. Alongside the abundance of networking opportunities and the flow of inspiration within and between participants, the hosting Eco-Valley Foundation will serve as a living example and field of practice for the themes of this year’s conference:

 
• Villages in Transition to Resilience - using participatory design processes for the journey towards a sustainable society 
 
• Gaming - how to express our dedication to, and love for, the world in quests, adventures and shared journeys that are fun instead of hard work!! 
 
• Sustainable Economy - alternatives to the prevalent growth model for creating resilient local economies. 
 
• Alternative Technology - hands-on experience and the theoretical background to new technologies that make a real difference 
 
• NextGEN  - The next generation in the Global Ecovillage Network: involving youth and young adults in sustainable projects
 
• Global Scope of GEN – meeting engaged GEN-networkers and learning from best practice examples from all over the planet, including GEN-Europe, Africa and the Middle East.  
 

Each day of the conference will start with talks and project presentations, followed by workshops in smaller groups in the afternoon. 

The conference will provide a multitude of opportunities to get to know the other participants and for informal exchange. It will be facilitated by Capra Carruba, Robin Alfred and Kosha Joubert.

Our hosting partner community

Eco-Valley Foundation is based at the intentional community of Krishna Valley in southwest Hungary. The main purpose of the Eco-Valley Foundation is to facilitate the sharing of practical experience, education and collaboration with academic research institutes regarding sustainability.

Krishna Valley with it's 140 inhabitants is Hungary’s largest and most organized ecovillage community. The 266 hectares of the Valley situated 180 km southwest from the capital, have been developed in ecologically sound ways since 1993. Right from the beginning the main principle behind the development was self-sufficiency with the help of common work, social development and traditional technologies. 

Krishna Valley is self-sufficient in vegetables, fruit, grains and honey. Other features are renewable energy production (solar panels, windmills), a reed bed water purification system, a school and a Botanical Garden counting 950 species of trees and bushes. Based on the religious background of the community, the inhabitants dedicate their lives to develop a more sustainable future.

25-30.000 tourists visit the Valley annually.

Accommodation

A range of different accommodation options is available both at Krishna Valley and at the nearby village of Somogyvámos. Meals are organic and vegetarian, most of the ingredients stem from the Krishna Valley Farm.

Please note that Krishna Valley has a no smoking and no alcohol policy on all their premises. Traditional Hungarian pubs are at walking distance in the village Somogyvámos.

Prices

Conference Fee

Regular        400 Euro

Reduced       250 Euro (for students, unemployed, people on low income) 

We have a bursary fund for those who could otherwise not afford to attend, especially those from Eastern Europe. With a bursary, we can reduce your conference fee to 100-200 Euro. The bursaries are given away on a first-come-first-served basis. Please write to Ulrike to apply.

Food and Accommodation

For more accommodation options, a detailed description and pictures, go to our bookings website.

Prices include accommodation during the conference (July 10-13), three organic vegetarian meals a day, a WIFI point and computer and mobile charger point. The prices do not include the conference fee.

All accommodation is within walking distance of the conference venue.

The reduced prices are for students, unemployed and people on low income. GEN members get a reduction of 5 Euro per night per person.

Registrations

Please go to our registrations website, get a username and use the online registration form provided there.

Flyer

Download the PDF-Flyer to spread in your networks here

Grundtvig Grants

Those working in the field of adult education can apply for a Grundtvig ‘Visits and Exchanges’ grant. For this, you need to be a teacher or teacher trainer in the field of adult education. This possibility is open to employees, freelancers and volunteers alike.

To be eligible for the grants you need to be a National or Resident of a EU member state (except Hungary), Turkey, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Croatia, Macedonia or Liechtenstein.

These grants cover travel and visa costs, food and accommodation as well as the conference fee.

Applications are to be written to the National Agency of your country of residence.

THE DEADLINE FOR GRANT APPLICATIONS IS JANUARY 16, 2012 in some countries, in others there are later deadlines and grants are given on a fist-come-fist-served basis. We strongly recommend you apply as soon as possible, because last year in some countries the money was finished after just a few weeks. Click here for a list of all national deadlines. 

How to apply for a Grundtvig grant

 
1. Fill in the online pre-registration form. Within a few days you will receive a confirmation of pre-registration from us that you will need for the application. 
2. Download the application form:  Go to http://ec.europa.eu/education/programmes/llp/national_en.html and find the site of your national agency.  Search for Grundtvig.  There are several Grundtvig actions.  The one you are looking for is about individual mobility.  In English, it is called ‘Visits and Exchanges’.  Make sure you find the form for 2012.  If you have any difficulty with this, phone or email your National Agency. Some countries have an online application tool that you need to fill in online. 
3. Fill in the application form.  It must be filled in electronically, no handwriting! Read all the information included in the form carefully, it explains where you find most of the information you need.  Use the Application Form Support file for help. This will be sent to you with the pre-registration. 
4. Sign the form yourself and get it signed by your organization (if applicable) and send it to your National Agency together with the pre-registration.