SAMPLE ANSWERS

• What are three key features of an ecovillage that make it sustainable?
  • Ecovillages use renewable energy like solar or wind power.
  • They grow their own food through organic farming or permaculture.
  • Community members share resources, reducing waste and promoting collaboration.
• How does life in an ecovillage differ from life in a city? Provide one example for each of the following: housing, community, and resource use.
  • Housing: In ecovillages, homes are built with natural materials like mud or straw, while city houses often use concrete and steel.
  • Community: Ecovillages emphasize shared spaces and responsibilities, while city life can feel more individualistic.
  • Resource Use: Ecovillages rely on recycled water and renewable energy, whereas cities depend on centralized systems that often use fossil fuels.
• Do you know any ecovillage by name? If so, which one(s)?
  • Yes, I know about Auroville in India and Findhorn in Scotland.
  • Dancing Rabbit, because they have a funny name, I just cannot forget.
• How many ecovillages are there in your country?
  • I’m not sure of the exact number, but I think there are a few growing communities in rural areas focusing on eco-living.
  • Maybe hundred? Not sure. I don't think many people like this lifestyle.
• If you could visit one ecovillage, which would it be? What would you want to learn or experience there?
  • I would visit Auroville in India. I’d love to learn about their teamwork approach and how they combine people from all over the world to live sustainably.
• What are the advantages of living in an ecovillage?
  • Living close to nature improves health and reduces stress.
  • Sharing resources saves money and energy.
  • The community creates a strong sense of belonging and support.
• What challenges might someone face when moving to an ecovillage? How would you overcome them?
  • Challenge: Adjusting to shared spaces or limited modern conveniences.
    Solution: Start by spending time in similar settings or visiting ecovillages to get used to the lifestyle.
  • Challenge: Earning a living in rural areas.
    Solution: Develop skills like farming, crafting, or remote work that align with ecovillage life.
• What is one thing from ecovillage life that you think your current community could adopt?
  • My community could adopt rainwater harvesting systems to conserve water and reduce dependency on piped supplies.
  • One thing my community could adopt is spending more time together. I think sitting around a fire in the evenings, telling stories, and playing games would be great, instead of everyone being stuck on their phones or social media.
• Do your family members know about ecovillages? If so, what do they think about them?
  • My parents have heard of them but think they might be too simple or difficult to adapt to. I think they’d love it if they tried it for a while.
  • In fact, we never heard about ecovillages before. My family would probably find the idea interesting, but we’d need to learn more to really understand how they work.
• Do you think you could live in an ecovillage? Why or why not?
  • Yes, I think I could! I love the idea of being close to nature, eating fresh food, and working with others. It might take some time to adjust, but I think the benefits outweigh the challenges.
  • I could not live in an ecovillage because I would miss the malls, easy access to shops, restaurants, and cinemas in my city.

Global Ecovillage Network

• What is this website about?
  • The website is about ecovillages around the world. It shares information about their goals, locations, and how they work to live sustainably.
  • The website is a platform for connecting ecovillages worldwide. It highlights sustainable living practices and helps people learn about these communities and their values.
• Who can use it?
  • Anyone interested in ecovillages! It’s useful for people who want to learn about sustainable living, join an ecovillage, or start their own.
  • It’s for people who are curious about ecovillages, researchers studying sustainability, and communities looking for guidance to improve their own eco-practices.
• What resources are available on the website?
  • The website has articles, videos, and a directory of ecovillages. It also offers training programs and guidance for people who want to create eco-communities.
  • It provides stories from ecovillages, guides for creating sustainable systems, and information about events and workshops. There’s also a section for donations to support their projects.
• What did you find most interesting about the website?
  • I found the directory of ecovillages fascinating. It’s amazing to see how many communities exist and how different they are around the world.
  • I loved the stories and photos from different ecovillages. They made me feel inspired to visit one and see how they actually live.