Our ninth Journey: Youth in Ecovillages
In a world facing climate crisis, disconnection and social fragmentation, more and more young people are searching for alternative ways of living — ways that align with their values, offer a sense of belonging and allow them to actively shape the future. For many, ecovillages can be one of these places.
But what does it mean to be young in an ecovillage?
And how can young people truly take part — not just as visitors or volunteers, but as empowered members, co-creators and leaders?
Taking the First Step
Many young people first encounter ecovillages through volunteering, Erasmus+ projects or community festivals. These experiences often spark a deep curiosity: What if this could be more than a temporary stay? What if this way of living in a more collaborative and ecological way could be a long-term reality?
Yet the path from inspiration to long-term involvement isn’t always easy. Barriers like financial insecurity, unclear membership processes, or the lack of youth-focused structures can make it hard for young people to fully integrate into community life.
Still, momentum is growing. New financial approaches, like the Les Pas-Sages model or a proposed GEN Europe Fund are emerging to support self-organised, youth-led projects within the movement.
Joining Forces in Creating Own Networks
Recognising the need for deeper inclusion, NextGEN and Yes to Sustainability were born to make ecovillages more accessible and youth more empowered.
NextGEN Europe is the youth branch of GEN Europe, created to amplify young voices, foster leadership and build a global space for collaboration around sustainable and regenerative living. It connects young people with ecovillage education, hands-on projects and meaningful opportunities to get involved.
NextGEN grew out of a youth-led initiative at the 2005 GEN Conference — now known as the Gathering — at the Findhorn Foundation Community in Scotland. Since then, it has evolved into a dynamic network that organises youth-focused events, sharing circles, and supports national youth ecovillage networks, helping young changemakers connect and thrive in their own regions.
Yes to Sustainability is a grassroots network of young people and youth workers committed to making ecovillages and sustainable projects more accessible to youth across Europe. Born from the shared desire to bridge the gap between young people and community-based living, the network supports connection, learning, and action through Erasmus+ mobility programmes, youth exchanges, and trainings for youth workers.
By partnering with ecovillages and sustainability projects, Yes to Sustainability creates meaningful, funded opportunities for young people to experience regenerative lifestyles, develop practical skills, and connect with a wider movement of changemakers.
Both networks were created to make ecovillages more accessible for youth, supporting those who live in community or dream of doing so and helping them take an active role in shaping a regenerative future.
Building Structures That Include Youth
One of the key questions facing the ecovillage movement today is: How can we make space for youth not only to participate, but to shape the direction of our communities?
The answer lies partly in structure. Clear pathways to involvement, roles that honor young people’s energy and creativity, and financial support mechanisms can all help bridge the gap between intention and reality. Equally important is the recognition that youth bring new visions, skills and urgency that communities need — especially in times of rapid change.
Reflecting this growing recognition, NextGEN Europe celebrates to have become Full Network member of GEN Europe during the General Assembly in Ängsbacka 2024. This is a meaningful step to amplify the voices of youth within GEN Europe.
Further steps have been made by a strategy meeting of representatives of GEN Europe, NextGEN and Yes to Sustainability in Torri Superiore 2025 to strengthen relationships and explore synergies among the youth-led sustainability network. The full report of this meeting can be accessed here.
Collaboration Across Generations
Intergenerational collaboration is one of the most powerful aspects of ecovillage life. When elders and youth come together — each bringing their stories, strengths and questions — a deeper form of community emerges. But this collaboration must be intentional. Young people need spaces where their voices are heard, their ideas valued and their leadership nurtured.
We’ve seen inspiring examples of this with the GEN Elders & NextGEN Virtual Firechats. These Firechats facilitate conversations between youth and elders in the ecovillage movement, promoting the exchange of wisdom and strengthening intergenerational community bonds.
🔗 Revisit the 2021/22 Firechats archive and watch the 2023 Firechat video to experience some of these interesting dialogues.
👉 Check out NextGEN’s Sharing Circle WhatsApp Group for the newest information.
Youth as a Regenerative Force
Whether you’re a young person dreaming of community life, or part of an ecovillage wondering how to better include youth, the message is the same: Youth are not the future of the ecovillage movement—they are its present, and their involvement is essential to its resilience and relevance.
Let’s build together—spaces where youth feel not only welcome, but vital. Let’s listen, collaborate and co-create a future worth living for.
🌐 Learn more and get involved:
👉 NextGEN Europe
👉 Yes to Sustainability
Or check out our earlier posts for guidance:
➡️ Tips on Volunteering in a Community
➡️ Tips on Joining a Community
➡️ Tips on Founding a Community
