Spring Equinox greetings from GEN Europe

Dear Community,

As the world we inhabit continuously faces calamities that obscure truth and creates division, people from around the globe are coming together to question the status quo, revealing the true power of community. Together, we persist.

"The only way out is through." - Robert Frost

Let us admire the seeds—they have patiently awaited this moment, and the time has come to push through the soil with the patience, care, and grace inherent to nature's ways, so to share the precious gifts they hold with the world.

In its own way, the Global Ecovillage Network embodies this steadfast persistence—and in 2025, we are celebrating 30 remarkable years of the movement.

What better way to celebrate this significant milestone than at the European Ecovillage Gathering? We'll come together in Hungary, moving eastward in Europe, spreading the branches, tending the roots, and sharing the fruits of this movement among us.

We hope you join us there! Until then, enjoy this selection of news from around our communities: stories, opportunities,  events, and so much more. We wish you the very best for the coming spring; to gather, to celebrate, and to always find strength within each other.

In community, with warmth,

Maja and the GEN Europe team

Tickets are now on sale for the European Ecovillage Gathering, happening this summer, August 12-17 in Hungary!

This year we embark on a journey to celebrate 30 years of the Global Ecovillage Network and 20 years of Gaia Education. In the heart of Eastern Europe, with our gracious host the Mindenegyüttmegy Association and amidst the vibrant venue of Manas Garden, we will nurture our roots and plant new seeds of a more regenerative future for all.

🐦 Book your ticket now - early bird prices until March 31st!

Do you know about the EU's GreenComp framework? Do you use it? Does it work well for Non-Formal Education?

We are collecting information about the use of the GreenComp in different European countries, especially in the field of youth work. We are 5 organisations in a Cooperation Partnership project Sustain-Ability looking to adapt GreenComp better to non-formal education training. We would like to know what is good about it, and what to improve!

Are you passionate about protecting the environment, tackling climate change, and building a fairer, greener future? Do you want to make your voice heard and take action on the issues that matter most to you and your community?  

In the framework of COM4LGD project, ECOLISE is organising the Advocacy Training on Environment and Climate, combined with the 2025 ECOLISE General Assembly. This event will take place from April 14th to 18th, 2025, at the Youth Hostel of Esch-sur-Alzette in Luxembourg. 

Register here until 26th of March.

In 1995, a group of visionaries gathered at Findhorn Ecovillage with a shared goal: to support communities living in harmony with the Earth. This pivotal moment sparked a global movement, igniting the creation of thousands of ecovillages worldwide. Three decades later, more and more thriving ecovillages continue to connect and embody the spirit and vitality of the movement.

This year is a special moment for Damanhur as they're celebrating the 50th anniversary. In honor of this milestone, they're excited to ignite a new spark and invite you to a volunteering opportunity of three unforgettable months, and celebrate the Spring Equinox together! 

The first volunteer call opened on March 15th and will run until June 8th. They are still searching for 6 more volunteers happy to this unique and transformative experience. 

Despite the ongoing struggles,  GEN Ukraine continues their mission of climate resilience and land restoration. Their work is part of the #GG21 initiative, bringing climate solutions to Ukraine’s most affected areas.
The Challenge: Desertification & Extreme Drought
Ukraine’s steppe zones are drying out, with long periods of zero rainfall, making land degradation and desertification a serious threat. The soil in their ecovillage has become extremely compact and dry, unable to retain moisture, making it even harder for vegetation to recover naturally.
Their Solution: Ecosystem Restoration Through Community Action!

GEN Ukraine is inviting partners, experts, and supporters to join them in expanding climate education and land restoration efforts across more impacted areas. Whether through knowledge-sharing, funding, or hands-on participation, every effort counts.
👉 If you’re interested in supporting climate resilience in Ukraine, let’s connect!

Forres Gazette brings the story on how Permaculture in Ukraine, a network of ecovillages and permaculture centres was created, ready to accommodate people seeking shelter. Then, in partnership with the Global Ecovillage Network Europe, a map was made of European eco-communities ready to receive Ukrainian refugees which included Findhorn Ecovillage.

According to the motto „community and the strength of lively democracy - staying in contact facing the multiple crisis“, GEN Germany meets in the Ökodorf Sieben Linden to exchange ideas and experiences on three days - and of course to refuel with each other. We are confronted with polarizations instead of constructive debate - even in "alternative" context. Legal pressure and war. The state-bearing democracy requires renewal and re-activation in many places - let's be a part of that.

People from member communities and other interested parties are welcome. A great opportunity to meet friends again and to get to know the community scene in their variety!

📅 April 11-16
📌 IkiGaia – Healing Biotope Ecovillage

For six days (or however long you can join 😊), immerse yourself in holistic, interdisciplinary, and intergenerational learning, the creation of mutual support networks, and action for the advancement of education. Connect with a network of change agents committed to social and ecological regeneration.

Are you a youth worker with a passion for collaboration, sustainability, and driving social change? Are you looking to develop facilitation skills that will support young people address today's most pressing challenges?

Join this training program - a unique opportunity to learn how to create spaces where groups can work together effectively, democratically, and sustainably!

🗓️ Dates:
• Arrival: June 18, 2025
• Training: June 19-23, 2025
• Departure: June 23, 2025

🏡 Location: Arterra Bizimodu, Calle Abajo 1, 314805 Artieda, Navarra, Spain
📧 Contact:  fanny@gen-europe.org
👨‍🏫 Facilitation team: Genny Carraro and Mauge Cañada

Are you passionate about creating impactful projects but want to sharpen your skills in project writing and management? We invite you to join our Project Creation training program designed specifically for youth workers like you!

This immersive free training course will explore regenerative cultures, community building, and ecosystem restoration through interactive workshops, hands-on experiences, and collaborative learning.

It’s a great opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, gain valuable skills, and be part of a transformative experience.

📍Where? Catfarm Education Community, Poussan, France
📅When? April 9th – 17th, 2024
💰 Funding? Covered by Erasmus+ (includes travel, accommodation in tents, and food)
🧑Who can apply? Youth workers, educators, or young people engaged in social or environmental initiatives (priority for participants from Brussels and EU countries)

Keystone Communities team is offering the course Weaving Resilience - an exploration of resilience to the climate crisis in yourself, your networks, and your community.

Apply attributes of resilience discovered in Ecovillage Resilience Project. This special cohort is reserved for ecovillage residents and features live community calls in regional cohorts in your timezone. Available in Spanish and English!

Date: April 2025

Cost: Free to ecovillages with a GEN profile or connected to our sister network FIC

GEN International is looking for members of communities in the GEN networks to join them as they take their next steps towards deeper resilience.

Are you interested in how your community can play a bigger role in the resilience of your bioregion? Do you want to work with other ecovillagers to learn, build global solidarity and create a new toolkit for GEN?

Learn about the Keystone Communities Project, how to join, and how to sign up for a special ecovillage cohort of the free Weaving Resilience Course (free for members of communities connected with GEN, and ecovillages in our sister network FIC). Applications close March 24th!

Date: Monday, April 7

Time: 13:00 - 14:30 CET

ECOLISE is excited to invite you to the next Participatory Policy Positioning Process event on Just and Sustainable Food Systems. Join us in shaping EU-level policy recommendations to support community-led initiatives and local governments in achieving sustainable food production, distribution, and consumption. 

What to expect

• Presentation of insights gathered during the Briefing and Information Phase
• Interactive discussions to deepen into identified priorities and actionable policy solutions
• Deepening exchanges on how community-led initiatives can inform EU policy making
• Collaborative exploration of the developed building blocks for the policy positioning document

Date: Wednesday, Mar 26

Time: 18:00 - 19:30 CET

Two years ago, Transition Spain launched AlterNativas: Building Possible Futures, a documentary about regenerative initiatives that aims to inspire other possible futures. During these years, the film has toured festivals, communities, and spaces of eco-social transformation, inspiring thousands of people. Now, it is time to go one step further: release it openly so it can be viewed freely online anywhere in the world.

This collaborative documentary, which includes different movements and initiatives from the ECOLISE network, explores innovative experiences of socio-ecological transition that are already paving the way toward more sustainable, resilient, and just living models.

The film will be available free online with subtitles in several languages in the film website from the 27th of March 2025

This webinar brings together policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and social economy actors to explore alternative economic models that strengthen rural resilience and inclusion.

The SERIGO project is advancing research and practical applications of Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) models to enhance resilience, social inclusion, and sustainable service provision in rural areas.

The discussions will focus on:

• Key findings from SERIGO’s research on SEE models
• Policy frameworks supporting rural SEE
• Inspiring case studies showcasing community-driven solutions

GEN Europe's Dario Ferraro will be presenting about Alternative Economics Model for Inclusive housing and community-led living - so don't miss out!

We would like to inform you that the Call for Contributions for the 5th International Conference Social Solidarity and the Commons in Lisbon is now open.

The conference will take place from the 26th to 28th of November 2025 at the Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (Iscte) in Lisbon, Portugal, with the main theme “Collapse and regeneration: Community-led initiatives prefiguring liveable futures“. The aim is to co-create an open, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary space for exchange of knowledge and socio-political experiences on new approaches to economic organisation and governance based in solidarity, cooperation and common ownership from across the world.

Agroecology Europe Forum 2025 is a landmark event shaping the future of food systems through agroecology. The theme “Transformation in Action!” will highlight collaboration, integration and bold action to accelerate agroecological transitions across Europe. For the first time, the 5th Agroecology Europe Forum is hosted in the Nordics, transforming into a vibrant festival welcoming both food system changemakers and the public.

Thank you for reading the newsletter - we hope you enjoyed it! This, and so much of our work, is only made possible by the support of our members. To receive more exclusive updates and opportunities, as well as discounts on events and our Gathering, you can become a member - find out more here!