ESC: Experience simple living with others in nature.

The Dutch ecovillage network GEN-NL is a network organisation of Dutch ecovillages and ecological communities. Ecovillages are communities where the villagers live sustainably with a low ecological footprint. The communities develop new ways of living together in harmony with each other and the environment. An ecovillage is an intentional or traditional community that is designed through locally owned, participatory processes re-generating social and natural environments. They focus and experiment in their own way on their contribution to the five dimensions of sustainability: ecology, economy, the social and the cultural aspects, all integrated into a holistic approach. We envision a world in which individuals and communities authentically shape their lives from their own strengths in a conscious, essentially sustainable and caring way for each other and the earth and thereby inspire others. GEN-NL has been active since 2013 and established as a foundation in 2015. It consists of around 70 community initiatives and ecovillages. Examples of members are Ecovillage Boekel, Aardehuizen Olst, Ecodorp Bergen, Ecodorp Zuiderveld in Nijmegen, Ecodorp Land van Aine in Ter Apel. The ecovillages actively promote environmentally sustainable and responsible behaviour among residents, raising the awareness about an environmental footprint within the capacity of the earth. Living together allows a more structural design and implementation of environmental consciousness, integrating sustainable practises, sharing and using sustainable means of transport. Our ecovillage Boekel in Brabant has won and is nominated for various sustainability awards. They provide solutions for all sustainable SDG’s in close cooperation with our environment. A recently founded ecocommunity initiative is Zuiderveld in Nijmegen who are working with housing associations) and sustainable architects. With 46 houses, they can accommodate more than 100 residents of different ages, family compositions and from (cultural) backgrounds. This is an urban ecovillage project in a new suburban Nijmegen area.. In GEN-NL we organise monthly webinars, network meetings and symposia. We contribute to festivals and social and sustainable activities. These activities are open for Dutch - and when in English - European participants, especially the online events. These activities will give the participants skills and experience in organising events, project management, outreach and public relations, use of IT-tools etc that they will be able use in their future steps in life. The aims of GEN-NL are: to provide support for existing and emerging initiatives; to participate in youth exchanges as tools to spread awareness; to do advocacy and to, (co-)organise research and education. We believe that with joining forces we have more capacity. Therfore we create synchronicities between the initiatives and ecovillages, and also with academic studies and or municipalities. We offer young people easily accessible opportunities to engage in activities, which could empower them to develop their professional and soft skills within communities while acquiring confidence, useful experience and competencies for their personal, educational, social, cultural, civic and professional development, which could contribute to their future employability. The members of the different communities actively take part in our network which makes us rich with a diversity of experience and experts on various fields. There are currently four active circles functioning in the realm our network. These circles are policy making, advocacy, outreach and research; networking and communication; and organisation. The board has 9 members supported by about 30 active volunteers, youth workers and learners. Since 2018 GEN-NL has Next GEN with actively involved young people in the organisation. They are also part of Next GEN-Europe. Two Dutch young people are in the European NextGEN board. NextGEN-NL aspires to unleash the passion, creativity, and action of young people, infuse it with the power of community and direct it towards co-creating a regenerative, peaceful and connective culture. Together they strive to empower, educate, connect, and inspire youth based on Ecovillage values and principles, to take collaborative action and participate in the ecovillage movement. Within GEN-NL they hold the role as connectors regarding youth themes and opportunities. Often they participate actively in social grassroots movements and represent GEN-NL in activities to build partnership. They organise online and live meetings for youth in The Netherlands who are interested in or connected to ecovillage lifestyles and sustainability. Within NextGEN NL we find a large part of our target group and at the same time do they contribute and increase our outreach to young people through their social media and active engagement on various communication channels.