GA 2024 Report

Right before this year’s European Ecovillage Gathering, GEN Europe held its annual General Assembly in Ängsbacka, Sweden! 87 delegates from 48 vibrant ecovillages, transnational & national networks, and ecoprojects gathered to reconnect, network, share, collaborate, discuss, and celebrate. The event was held from the 17th to 19th of August 2024 and included voting members from Full Ecovillages and Transnational & National Networks, non-voting representatives from Ecoprojects and Aspiring Members, along with a few Silent Observers. The General Assembly was organized by GEN Europe staff and facilitated by GEN Europe council members Jake Jay-Lewin, Teodora Radulescu, Monique Wijn, Stefanie Raysz, and, from afar, Abdul Otman.

The first day of the General Assembly was filled with diverse moments of reconnection and networking. Some of our partner networks were able to present themselves (Green Phoenix, GEN International, Gaia Education, NextGEN Europe, YesToSustainability, ECOLISE, Les Pas Sage), which opened space for lively exchange. On the second day, GEN Europe staff and council presented the annual reports of 2024. What had been worked on this past year? What were we able to improve, create, shape differently, or leave behind?

This past year brought several significant improvements and new initiatives, including:

• The launch of a new membership scheme designed to better serve and engage our community.
• A new webpage with a map that displays members of members.
• An improved IT toolbox to streamline operations and enhance collaboration across our network.
• The initiation of three major new projects (ECOPRISE, COM4LGD, SUSTAIN-ABILITY), one of which is being coordinated by GEN Europe.

We were able to welcome talented new staff to further strengthen our mission: Maja Flajsig as the new communications manager, Annika Alex as the finance manager, Aurelie Neumann and Natasa Gvozdic to share the workload of gathering coordination and organizing other GEN Europe events, and Franziska Reißig as the new membership manager! We are also excited to welcome Fanny van Hall back from maternity leave, where she will continue her work on Erasmus+ projects and ESC. We wish all the best to Fran, Carolin, Dicte, and Armin, who are starting new careers, and hope they’ll keep good memories of their time with GEN Europe.

The day concluded with the ecovillage presentations of the four members standing for full membership.

On the morning of the last day, the General Assembly used sociocratic voting to welcome two new council members. In the afternoon, the formal plenary session addressed key agenda points with the following outcomes:

• Full Member Election/Approval:
  Four new full members applied and were approved by the General Assembly: NextGEN Europe, Ecovillage Pourgues (France), Ecovillage Argoumbat (France), Busha Toloka (Ukraine).
• Annual Report:
  The annual report was approved, except for the financial report, which will be reviewed at an extraordinary General Assembly later this year. This is due to the recent staff changes this year.
• Annual Accounts and Auditor’s Report:
  The annual accounts and the Auditor’s report will also be presented at the extraordinary General Assembly before the end of the year.
• Council Discharge:
  The General Assembly approved the discharge of the Council from its responsibilities for the past year.
• Membership Dues:
  No proposals were submitted, so this agenda point was skipped.
• New Council Election:
  The Assembly elected two new council members: Guillaume Couarraze and Johannes Kübel. Thank you & welcome!
• Dismissal of Council Members:
  We extend heartfelt thanks and say goodbye to Ave Oit and Stefanie Raysz, who served as council members for the past three years.
• Motions and Proposals:
  No motions were submitted in advance, and no new proposals arose during the discussions. This point was skipped.
• Auditor Election:
  The Assembly elected Gerhard Paul as the auditor for a period of one year.

We recognize that the delay in the financial report may have caused some concern, but rest assured, we are working diligently to finalize it, and we will provide a full update at the extraordinary General Assembly at the end of this year.

The evening of the last General Assembly day was filled with joy and laughter because of the first edition of the Ecovillage Catwalk, moderated by Riccardo Clemente! In the photos below, you can find a selection of the best ecovillage outfits of the year!

It was a true joy to reconnect with all of you dedicated members and to come together as a community to shape the future of GEN Europe. Your participation made this General Assembly not just a formal gathering, but a celebration of ecovillage culture. Looking ahead, we are excited about the upcoming extraordinary General Assembly later this year, and we can’t wait to share updates and new opportunities that are coming your way soon as a result of your engagement.

Your participation is what makes GEN Europe a unique, impactful, and thriving network. Thank you!

For GEN Europe staff,
Franziska Reißig

You can find more pictures about the GA here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/158349592@N05/albums/72177720320294901/