Zegg is an ecovillage located in Belzig, about 80 km from Berlin, home to an intentional community of over 100 people who share a vision of creating a more sustainable, harmonious, and mindful lifestyle.

The project started in the 1990s, sparked by the visionary idea of a group of founders who wanted to experiment with new ways of living together based on transparency, cooperation, and a deep respect for the environment. Thanks to the commitment of the early members, the community was conceived as a place where the values of ecology and personal growth could flourish.

Values and Goals of Zegg

Zegg’s main goal is to develop a community that, through a fully sustainable lifestyle, tackles the challenges of our time, like alienation, inequality, and climate crisis. To bring this vision to life, Zegg promotes a transparent and supportive economy, authentic relationships, and a low-impact life in harmony with nature. Over time, the members have integrated practices like permaculture, community-based resource management, and nonviolent communication, creating an ecosystem that offers a concrete and inspiring alternative to the fast-paced modern society.

Private vs. Shared Spaces

The Zegg Ecovillage is designed to balance private spaces with shared spaces, creating harmony between personal life and community growth.

Every family or individual has their own private area, ensuring comfort and privacy. Alongside the residential spaces, there are several common areas dedicated to group activities and social interaction. The multifunctional center serves as temporary accommodation for guests as well as a venue for seminars and events.

The outdoor area is adorned with two large circus tents that, during the summer, host festivals and gatherings. All around, gardens and expansive green spaces invite relaxation and a reconnection with nature.

Community Economy: A Winning System

At the heart of Zegg is a community-based economy built on transparency and shared responsibility. The community primarily funds itself through income from the many workshops and seminars it hosts, ranging from permaculture and sustainable building techniques to holistic wellness and personal development.

In addition to revenue from these courses, Zegg also supports itself through rents paid by the families living there and the small businesses operating within. Many residents work for Zegg GmbH, the attached training center where they are stakeholders, while others choose to be freelancers. This diversity allows Zegg to remain economically flexible and resilient, ensuring a stable income source for its inhabitants.

The core principle of Zegg’s economy isn’t just personal profit but rather a system aimed at meeting everyone’s needs in an equitable way, building a network of mutual support. This approach allows members to minimize their dependence on traditional consumer models and live more self-sufficiently.

Ecology and Self-Sufficiency at Zegg

Ecology is a cornerstone of life at Zegg. The community follows strict permaculture principles, an approach to agriculture and living that aims to create productive ecosystems in harmony with the natural environment. Crops are managed using organic methods, and local food production helps reduce dependence on external resources.

The community's water comes from a shared well, and wastewater is purified through a constructed wetland system, which uses plants and microorganisms to treat sewage naturally. For heating, they use wood chips, a renewable and low-impact resource. This holistic and innovative approach to resource management ensures that Zegg remains as independent as possible from conventional energy and water systems.

Zegg’s ecological philosophy extends to its buildings. Homes are constructed using eco-friendly techniques and sustainable materials like wood, raw earth, and straw. This reduces the environmental impact, creating dwellings that blend with the surrounding nature and promote a healthy lifestyle for the residents.

The Zegg Forum: A Tool for Growth

Beyond its economic and ecological focus, Zegg is deeply committed to personal growth and the development of collective awareness. One of the main tools used by community members to work on themselves and improve relationship quality is the Zegg Forum, a community ritual where residents explore their feelings and learn to communicate openly and authentically.

The Forum fosters transparency and allows participants to share what they feel, removing the barriers that often lead to misunderstandings and conflicts. This practice helps distinguish between the cognitive content of messages and the underlying emotions, creating a safe space where everyone can express themselves freely and without judgment.

The result is a community that values trust, respect, and communication—fundamental elements for building healthy and authentic relationships.

Social and Spiritual Life at Zegg

The social and spiritual dimensions are equally important at Zegg. Community members regularly come together for seasonal rituals, music events, dancing, and philosophical discussions. These gatherings not only strengthen bonds among members but also foster a sense of belonging that goes beyond simply living together.

Physical and mental well-being are also priorities for the community: yoga, meditation, and other health-oriented practices are frequently organized. These moments dedicated to personal growth help residents develop a holistic view of life, considering the balance between body, mind, and spirit as the key to a fulfilling and harmonious existence.

Zegg’s Impact: Model for the Future

Zegg is not just an isolated social experiment but an inspiring example for those seeking alternatives to traditional ways of living. The community welcomes hundreds of visitors each year—people who want to learn, be inspired, and take a bit of this holistic vision back to their own lives.

Workshops on sustainability, nonviolent communication, and ecological resource management are open to everyone, spreading the message that living differently is both possible and rewarding.

In a Nutshell

Zegg is an ecovillage located in Belzig, 80 km from Berlin, where over 100 people live in harmony according to a model based on sustainability and cooperation. Through practices of ecology, community economy, and personal growth, Zegg shows that living consciously and sustainably is a realistic and shareable way of life.