July 13, 2017

The Course That Helps Bring a New Ecovillage to Life

 Pénélope Reyes – member of the Gaia Education Team

The second edition of the EDE course (Ecovillage Design Education) at La Cité Écologique in Québec, Canada, was a tremendous success. Offered by the CAP Éco-Communautaire team from July 8 to August 8, 2016, the course provided a month-long immersive experience in the ecovillage.

This intensive program supports participants in developing their own community-based projects. Students, aged 20 to 30 and from diverse backgrounds, joined the training with the goal of being well-equipped to realize their dream of living in a different kind of society.

Several members of La Cité Écologique contributed to the course, ensuring that students experienced full immersion in the ecovillage. They offered hands-on activities in various sectors: organic farming, holistic health, permaculture, education, sustainable forestry, and more. Throughout the training, the concept of sustainability was explored through practical workshops, theoretical sessions, and study time.

During the 2016 EDE course, something magical happened: three students who had never met before connected deeply through their shared experience. Together, they discovered not only a common vision but the foundations of a project they could build together. This collaboration may soon give rise to a new ecovillage called L’AmarréE.

Today, this group is actively visiting land and moving closer to creating their future community. Despite being a small group, they received strong support to develop their project and action plan—and formed meaningful bonds with members of La Cité Écologique. This connection proved both beneficial and inspiring in bringing their ecovillage dream closer to reality.

The EDE organizers are proud of the success of the 2016 edition and are already planning the next one for 2017. Stay tuned!