Ecovillages: what they are, how they work, and how to become part of them
Have you ever dreamed of a simpler life, connected to nature and to those around you? Ecovillages are not just a romantic idea or a utopia: they are vibrant realities, made up of people who choose every day to walk together toward a fairer, sustainable, and authentic world. Discover how life in an ecovillage really works and why more and more people feel the need to change course.
An ecovillage is not just a place: it is a shared vision, a living experiment of harmony between human beings and nature, between personal freedom and collective responsibility. It is the attempt – concrete, daily, sometimes challenging but deeply human – to reinvent the way we live, produce, relate, and dream together.
Those who choose to live in an ecovillage do so out of a deep desire: to live according to their values, in a simpler, freer, more sustainable way. It's not just about organic gardens or straw houses. It’s about relationships, conscious choices, search for meaning.
A Dream That Becomes Reality (in Small Steps)
Living in community is not an escape; it’s a revolutionary act. It means putting oneself on the line every day, learning to listen, to welcome conflict as an opportunity for growth, and to choose cooperation over competition. Ecovillages are not perfect oases outside of the world but living laboratories where a different way of inhabiting the Earth – and oneself – is experimented with.
Intentional communities are born from shared dreams but are built with care, step by step: sharing resources, regenerative agriculture, self-construction, collective management, alternative education. Each member brings their skills, their time, their vision. And together, something is created that goes beyond the sum of the individuals: a network of connections, a human fabric.
A Typical Day in an Ecovillage
Imagine waking up in the morning, not to an alarm, but to the singing of birds and the aroma of wood-fired bread. The rhythm of the day follows the seasons and the needs of the group: working in the garden, cleaning common spaces, preparing lunch with self-produced ingredients. Meals are sacred moments, not just for nourishment but for gathering, sharing stories, and planning.
In the afternoon, one dedicates time to individual or collective projects, but always without rigidity or imposed schedules. Time is managed with greater freedom, following the needs of the moment, creating space for reflection, learning, and creativity. Despite the tranquility and apparent serenity of communal life, challenges do arise: conflict management, daily difficulties, and differing opinions are inevitable in a community based on constant interaction among people. Yet, it is precisely in these moments that the ecovillage becomes a laboratory for personal and collective growth, where patience, tolerance, and awareness are essential tools for coexistence.
Sharing Economy, Solidarity, and Creativity
One of the most fascinating (and complex) aspects of ecovillages is their economy. Some choose total sharing of resources, while others maintain an individual part. In any case, money ceases to be an end and becomes a means: for self-sustainability, to regenerate the territory, to create value together.
In these settings, projects flourish for organic farming, crafts, sustainable tourism, alternative schools, cultural events, training courses. It’s not an escape from work, but a transformation of work: working with hands, head, and heart, for a purpose greater than individual profit.
The philosophy behind these models is that self-sufficiency, combined with solidarity, is the key to a balanced and meaningful life. In an ecovillage, wealth is not measured by money but by the quality of relationships, the ability to live sustainably, and the collective commitment to building a better world. It’s not a question of owning but of sharing and creating value through community.
How to Live in an Ecovillage?
Dreaming is important, but concrete steps are also needed. Here’s a possible journey – already taken by many communities:
1. Write down your dream.
No business plan is needed. An inspiring vision is what’s necessary. Do you want to live in a community? Do you want to create an educational, productive, regenerative place? Write it down. Leave space for evolution.
2. Find allies.
Look for people who share your dream. Friends, buying groups, themed events, social platforms. Start with a few, but the right ones. Communicate transparently: you’re not looking for tenants, you’re looking for co-creators.
3. Build the group and find the place.
Trust, shared vision, common values. Meanwhile, look for a location that has fertile land, water, and accessibility. Try living together for a while. Seek support from a facilitator.
4. How to finance all this?
Self-funding, crowdfunding, sponsorships, volunteering, European funds (like Erasmus+). Resources exist: vision, creativity, and a good project are needed.
5. Design a sustainable economy.
Think about what you can offer to the world, together with others. Agriculture, crafts, training, mindful tourism. The key? Consistency with values and adaptability.
6. Remember: an ecovillage is a living being.
Not everything will be easy. Changes will occur. It will grow. Some will leave, others will arrive. Accepting change is part of the journey.
And What If I Just Wanted to Try?
You don't need to found an ecovillage to find out if it’s for you. There are numerous opportunities to experience community “from the inside”:
WWOOF Italy: with €35 a year, you can volunteer on farms and in ecovillages.
Direct contact with ecovillages: many organize open days, courses, experiential stays.
On the Eutopia map, you can find ecovillages in Italy and beyond: continuously updated!
V.E.R.I. Project of RIVE: seasonal and coordinated volunteering in Italian ecovillages.
An Invitation to Dream (with Feet on the Ground)
Building an ecovillage is not simple, but it is possible. Tools, relationships, and examples are needed. It’s necessary to move beyond the romantic idea and embrace the process: a journey that changes, transforms, and opens new horizons.
And that’s precisely why at Eutopia, we have created CLIPS – How to Start an Ecovillage: an online training pathway, accessible and practical, designed for those dreaming of a community but not knowing where to start. Based on the European CLIPS method, the course offers concrete tools, real examples, and inspiring visions. Because yes, another way of living is possible. But it must be dreamed together!
Eutopia Free Talk: Monday, April 28
Want to know more? Join the second Eutopia Free Talk on Monday, April 28, a live stream on YouTube with Bernardo Cumbo and three ecovillages: Meraki, Damanhur, and Alpe Pianello. You can register HERE.
Bonus Tips
📚 Book to read: Live the Ecovillages of Italy by Lorenzo Olivieri and Jacopo Tabanelli
🎬 Video to watch: YouTube channel of Bernardo Cumbo and Eutopia