In this episode, host Zola interviews Zahra Lightway about her tour of eco villages across Australia, India, and Europe.

The conversation explore what made the ecovillages she visited successful, mainly a robust governance system, income-earning programmes and opportunities, a shared worldview (values and beliefs), and mission-driven activities.

They cover sociocracy as a governance model, the difference between eco estates and eco villages, and innovative financial models like Les Pas Sages for start-up ecovillages, and the significance of a well-structured internal economic system.

The episode concludes with a conversation about the future of ecovillages.

Related links:

https://www.commonground.net.nz/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/zahralightway/

Global EcoVillage Network (GEN)

Main Website: https://ecovillage.org/ Global Ecovillage Network

Additional regional sites:

• GEN Europe: https://gen-europe.org/

• GEN United States: https://www.gen-us.net/

• GEN Oceania & Asia: https://genoaecovillage.org/

Gaia Education

Main Website: https://www.gaiaeducation.org/ Sustainable Education Courses | Gaia Education - Transforming Communities

Foundation for Intentional Community

Main Website: https://www.ic.org/ Foundation for Intentional Community

EcoVillage Tours

Main Website: https://www.ecovillagetours.com/ Ecovillage Tours | Visit Intentional Communities around the world — Ecovillage Tours

Time stamps:

04:18 Zahra's Eco Village Exploration Tour

06:12 Insights and Best Practices from Eco Villages

19:33 Economic Models and Sustainability in Eco Villages

25:29 Challenges and Solutions in Eco Villages

43:52 Learning Opportunities and Resources

47:35 Conclusion and Contact Information