Growing Interest in Ecovillages: Sustainable Communities as Housing Innovations

Ecovillages are community initiatives promoting a sustainable lifestyle on all fronts. These communities, which lately have been increasingly attracting interest in Europe, typically bring together people from various backgrounds who join forces to lay the groundwork for ecological, social, and economic life projects.

Ecovillages are often perceived as ‘mythical’ entities or associated with political or spiritual connotations. In reality, they are the result of people united by a common goal: individuals who dedicate themselves every day to achieving shared milestones through their hard work and commitment.

The goals they pursue are various, including collective gardening, the reclamation of abandoned spaces, the management of interpersonal conflicts, and the stewardship of pristine natural areas.

Voluntary engagement and the embrace of a common ethic are thus the fundamental principles of any ecovillage.

In queste “innovazioni dell’abitare” i partecipanti si sentono responsabili di un cambiamento positivo, volto alla sostenibilità ambientale e al perseguimento di obiettivi personali e collettivi.

Within this “innovative housing,” participants feel responsible for a positive change, focusing on environmental sustainability, and striving towards personal and collective objectives.

How many ecovillages are there today?

Globally, the number of these communities has seen exponential growth in recent years, surpassing 100,000 ecovillages. Across Europe and beyond, thousands of such communities now exist, with Italy alone boasting over 100, attributed to the emergence of 30 new community projects in the last three years.

The Italian Network of Ecovillages (Rete italiana dei villaggi ecologici), known as La RIVE, was established in 1996 with the aim of promoting communities where the utopian ideals of solidarity, cooperation, and ecology are put into practice. The platform constantly monitors and updates the list of existing communities in Italy, Europe, and around the world, as well as ongoing projects. Therefore, anyone interested in adopting a more sustainable lifestyle can follow a guided procedure on the portal and transition towards ecovillage living.

Why choose to live in an ecovillage?

Some have made it "a sudden decision", others see it as "a series of events," for some, it's just "a matter of time", while others view it as "a return to their roots." These are just a few of the motivations that can lead people to choose a shared life path. However, the desire to live close to nature is undoubtedly one of the most deeply felt motivations. 

Ecovillages are typically situated in rural areas, villages, or pristine zones, far from pollution, noise, and the hustle and bustle of city life.

Depending on their own resources and those of the surrounding territory, ecovillages aim to reduce their ecological footprint by respecting the natural environment around them. This involves engagement in fields such as construction, energy, agriculture, and water treatment. Each community member actively contributes to the sustainability of their own lifestyle and that of future generations who will join them.

Translated by Iuliana Cindrea

Mondo Internazionale APS – All rights reserved ® 2024