However, it can be challenging to see how eco-friendly initiatives get into action when you live on the other side of the world. Luckily, there are places where you can actually see eco-villages in action and learn how they came together.
1) New Leaf Community (Belize)
At New Leaf Community in Belize, it is all about sustainability and natural living. This eco-village was created by a group that wanted to practice what they preached.
They are powered by solar, have their own organic farm, and grow food. If you're looking for a place to go green, this might be your spot!
2) Kibbutz Lotan (Israel)
Kibbutz Lotan (Israel) is a progressive kibbutz located on the northern shore of Lake Tiberias in Northern Israel. Kibbutz Lotan was established in 1985 by a group of families who shared a vision for an ecologically sustainable society.
The kibbutz operates on organic farming and has many solar panels, wind turbines, and rainwater harvesting techniques.
3) Findhorn Eco-village (Scotland, UK)
Scotland's first eco-village, one of the oldest in Europe, is a community with a long history.
Founded by Peter Caddy and Eileen Caddy as an intentional spiritual community in 1962, it continues today as a thriving international center for holistic learning.
4) Damanhur (Italy)
Damanhur is not just an eco-village; it's a small town with its own currency and language. The idea behind Damanhur is that it should be a self-sufficient community with no need for fossil fuels or electricity.
It was founded in 1975 by Oberto Airaudi, who was disillusioned with the state of humanity and believed that creating an alternative community where people could live in balance with nature would help turn things around.
5) Christiana (Denmark)
Christiana is a small Danish village located on the island of Bornholm in Denmark. The village is home to roughly 4,000 residents and is one of Scandinavia's smallest towns.
It is also one of Scandinavia's greenest towns, maintaining an eco-friendly approach throughout its development.
6) Twin Oaks Community (USA)
Twin Oaks Community is an eco-village located in Virginia. Founded in 1967, it was one of the first intentional communities in America and remains a model for sustainable living and political activism.
Twin Oaks Community has over 100 members who share ownership and work on all aspects of running the community. They use a system called Participatory Economics which mandates that all members contribute at least 20 hours each week to support their needs - from food production to housework.
7) Karu Permaculture (Canada/India mix)
Karu Permaculture is a permaculture-based eco-village in India and Canada. It has been designed for self-reliance and full sustainability, focusing on healthy living, green architecture, ecological water harvesting, and renewable energy systems.
8) Bali Spirit Community (Bali, Indonesia)
Bali Spirit Community is an eco-village and organic farm in Ubud, Indonesia. It offers sustainable accommodation in traditional Balinese-style cottages and tree houses set amongst lush rice fields and tropical fruit gardens.
The community also features a restaurant serving healthy food sourced from their own farm and a cafe offering fair trade coffees, fresh juices, smoothies, and vegan cakes. This is an excellent place for yoga enthusiasts, with more than 50 classes held each week at the local school.
9) Auroville (India, South Asia)
Auroville, India - This eco-village is located in India and was founded in 1968 by a French philosopher, Sri Aurobindo. The city has been designed as an experimental site where people from all over the world can come together to help create a new type of society free from discrimination.
Today, Auroville has a population of about 2,500 but welcomes thousands more visitors yearly.
10) Ithaca Community (USA – NY/NYC area)
Ithaca is a progressive, environmentally conscious community. It is one of the greenest communities in America and strives to become a net-zero community.
Many eco-friendly homes, businesses, and organizations reside in this area. For example, Ithaca's entire eco-industrial park houses many green companies like solar panel manufacturing plants and agricultural research facilities. The town also has a recycling center for household waste disposal and a wastewater treatment plant.
