June 30, 2017 

The GEN Network

Camille MARTIN – Member of La Cité Écologique since 2015

Have you just come across the term “ecovillage”? Are you discovering this concept for the first time? Are you looking for a different way of life—more communal, more ecological? Then you need to know about the GEN network.

But first, what exactly is an “ecovillage” ?

You might also hear terms like “intentional community,” “ecological community,” “cohousing,” or “eco-hamlet.” All of these point to the same idea: a different lifestyle, where people choose to live close to one another—like a big family—sharing living spaces (homes, community centers, land), daily life (meals, family events, work), and most importantly, shared values.

So What Is GEN ?

GEN stands for Global Ecovillage Network. It’s the largest international network of ecovillages, bringing together around 10,000 engaged communities. These include villages, neighborhoods, and cities involved in the “transition” movement, as well as traditional villages revitalizing their local culture.

The network began in Europe in the 1990s. Its core mission—then and now—is to develop strategies and solutions for building a sustainable world, one that adapts to the climate, demographic, and sociocultural changes we’re facing today.

GEN is divided into five self-managed continental networks:
• GEN Africa
• GEN Europe
• CASA (Latin America)
• GENNA (North America)
• GENOA (Oceania and Asia)

To maintain coherence across projects and goals, and to foster strong relationships among communities and changemakers, GEN regularly organizes events such as seminars, conferences, and multi-week educational retreats.

These gatherings allow people from ecovillages—or those inspired by the model—to freely exchange ideas, experiences, and challenges with others who share their values. They’re also opportunities to learn ecological, social, and sustainable strategies that can be applied in participants’ own communities.

Nébesna Fortin, our sustainable development coordinator at La Cité Écologique, has had the opportunity to attend several of these gatherings. She is now the Canadian representative for NextGEN—the youth branch of the GEN network.

To learn more about GEN, visit their website here.

Want to Go Further?

Want to see it for yourself? To experience this way of life firsthand?

We invite you to join the next event organized by GEN Europe.

From July 16 to 20, GEN Europe will host the 21st edition of its annual conference:
“Conscious Happiness: Living the Future Today”

This year’s theme centers on solidarity, resilience, and hope.

Keynote speakers include Charles Eisenstein (philosopher, speaker, and author known for his advocacy of degrowth) and Helena Norberg-Hodge (philosopher, writer, and ecological activist).

The event will take place at Ängsbacka, an ecovillage in Sweden.

During this annual gathering, participants are invited to cultivate happiness—not just for themselves, but to radiate it outward to their communities and the world.

Over four days, the program will be filled with workshops, exchanges, discussions, and the sharing of innovative ideas, dreams, hopes, and positivity—all centered on conscious and sustainable living.

Together, new and inspiring projects can take root.

So come join the movement for change!