Summer Highlights from GEN Ukraine: European Ecovillage Gathering 2026, Regenerative Resilience, Traveling Festivals & Peace Gatherings

ByLena Herth

From representing Ukraine at the European Ecovillage Gathering 2026 in Germany and hosting international strategy weeks to traveling eco-festivals, peace tours, and Web3 regeneration tools: the GEN Ukraine network—now uniting over 60 ecovillages and sustainable initiatives—shares key updates from Summer 2026.

Representing Ukraine at the European Ecovillage Gathering 2026 (Germany)

From July 13 to 18, representatives of GEN Ukraine participated in the European Ecovillage Gathering 2026, hosted at the Nature Community in Germany. The annual gathering brought together ecovillage pioneers, regenerative community builders, and eco-seekers from across Europe and beyond.

Ukraine was represented by an active delegation: Tatyana Chub (GEN Ukraine coordinator), Maksym Zalevskyi (President of GEN Ukraine), Anastasiya Volkova (representative of Zeleni Kruchi ecovillage and the “Permaculture Ukraine” public union). The team was also joined by representatives of established communities and projects, as well as individuals currently seeking their place within the ecovillage movement.

Throughout the Gathering, the team engaged in thematic sessions, panel discussions, and international networking, sharing Ukraine’s unique experience of maintaining and building regenerative communities amid war.

Key Highlights & Innovations:
  • Digital & Solarpunk Regeneration: GEN Ukraine presented cutting-edge approaches, including digital tools for ecological regeneration, methods for measuring ecological impact, and Web3 applications for community resilience. These sessions sparked immense interest among IT specialists, the solarpunk movement, and participants from Europe and the USA.
  • International Presence & Trust: President Maksym Zalevskyi emphasized the true value of international gatherings: “International networks are not built with documents. Nor even with grants. They are built through personal presence. Over years. Step by step. Conversation by conversation. Gathering by gathering.”
  • Bringing Ukraine’s Voice to Europe: GEN Ukraine Coordinator Tatyana Chub highlighted: “We represent a country that lives in the reality of war. Participating in the Gathering is an opportunity to shape and convey Ukraine’s voice. We saw that for people living under different conditions, it is not always easy to understand our reality. That is why face-to-face meetings and open dialogue are so vital today.”
  • Inspiration & Belonging: Anastasiya Volkova noted that the warm, supportive atmosphere helped the delegation feel deeply connected to the global ecovillage family, bringing renewed inspiration back home.

Deepening International Solidarity: Activists’ Summer Strategy Week

Earlier in the summer (June 14–19), the ecovillage Yemelyanivka hosted the annual Summer Gathering of GEN Ukraine activists under the Spaces of Unity project (jointly with Danish network Landsforeningen for Økosamfund — LØS, supported by CISU).

European partners Camilla Nielsen-Englyst, Salim Ayoub, and Stefan Emrich (GEN Europe) joined the gathering. Participants explored 11 new project proposals generated directly by local ecovillages. Stefan Emrich facilitated a deep dive into community dynamics, trust, and conflict resolution, highlighting that interpersonal relationships and celebrations are just as vital as physical infrastructure.

The week ended with the exchange of “Bags of Stories” (Торбинки історій)—handcrafted eco-bags from Velyka Rodyna, ceramic mugs from Shkola Zhyttia, Trypillian pastries from Busha, candles from Yemelyanivka, raw oils, and herbal sweets created by local artisans as gifts for European friends.

Traveling Festivals & Cultural Peace Tours

  • “MaistryMy” (We Are Masters) Traveling Festival: The itinerant MaistryMy festival traveled across 4 distinct ecovillages within the network, bringing together artisans, craftspeople, and residents to celebrate self-reliance, traditional crafts, ecological skills, and horizontal community connections. This season, connected via a live video link with a fifth location where Ukrainians currently living abroad had gathered.
  • Phoenix Maria’s “Ukraine Peace Tour 2026”: From July 27 to August 14, traveling musician and yoga practitioner Phoenix Maria returned to Ukraine for a peace tour across 4 ecovillages (Tepla Hora, Velyka Rodyna, Radaria, Omelianivka), Ananda Space / Dzin Space, and the Vilnosvita Festival. Phoenix hosted singing ceremonies in a circle, morning yoga/meditation sessions, and emotional support circles (heart-sharing), offering deep emotional relief and unity around universal human values.
  • BISHKIN TRAIL 2026 (Kharkiv Region): On June 21, NGO Happy People of Ukraine held the 4th Bishkin Trail cultural & sports festival in Verkhniy Bishkin. Supported by GEN Ukraine under Spaces of Unity, it united 50 runners and local youth with craft workshops and ceramic awards made by the Resht family.

Local Regeneration & Ecovillage Resilience

  • Prostir Lyubovi (Zhytomyr Region): Celebrating 17+ years of community living, members planted 300+ trees this spring, hosted biodiversity studies at the “Zelena Laguna” reserve and “Lahulskyi” arboretum, conducted eco-trails for children, and organized a photo contest. They are currently fundraising to reconstruct a community guest house.
  • Busha & “Bushanska Toloka” (Vinnytsia Region): Organised over 20 community workdays (tolokas). Key efforts include green tourism development, NGO Etnokod’s legal defense of the “Hora Lyskivka” reserve against industrial mining, and the ongoing operation of the EcoHouse (ЕкоДім)—established with GEN Europe support—providing shelter for displaced families, veteran recovery programs, and children’s eco-camps.

Grassroots Economics & National Recognition

  • Grassroots Economics Adaptation: GEN Ukraine President Maksym Zalevskyi presented the Ukrainian adaptation of William O. Ruddick’s book “Grassroots Economics: Reflection and Practice” (translated under Spaces of Unity). Weekly community calls explored non-monetary value, mutual aid, trust, and local exchange systems.
  • National Climate Catalog: GEN Ukraine was proudly featured in the official Catalogue of Pro-Climate Organizations of Ukraine by the Ukrainian Climate Network (УКМ).
  • Western Ukraine Regional Tour: In June, the GEN Ukraine team completed a week-long regional tour visiting ecovillages across Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernivtsi regions.

Looking Ahead

Despite ongoing wartime challenges, Ukrainian ecovillages remain vibrant hubs of ecological regeneration, social healing, and local empowerment. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to GEN Europe, LØS, CISU, and all global friends standing in solidarity with Ukraine’s ecovillage movement.

How donate to GEN Ukraine via QR Code

  • Open your banking app (Revolut, Wise, N26, Deutsche Bank, BNP Paribas, etc.).
  • Scan the QR code on the left using your app’s built-in scanner.
  • Check the details (they will fill in automatically):
    Beneficiary: NGO GEN UKRAINE
    IBAN: UA903052990000026003025000814
    SWIFT/BIC: PBANUA2X
  • Note for transfers outside the Eurozone (or if prompted for a Correspondent Bank):
    Correspondent Bank: Commerzbank AG, Frankfurt am Main
    SWIFT Code: COBADEFF
  • Enter any amount you wish to donate with the payment purpose/reference “Charitable donation”, and confirm the transfer.

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