Connection
With our connection projects, we aim to reach out to and bring together many young people both online and in live events to build a sense of community and grow a network of creative, caring and committed individuals in partnership with ecovillages, communities and organisations.
Current projects
Another year of intergenerational connection
GEN ELDERS & NEXTGEN
The Elders and NextGEN Firechats is a youth-led initiative consisting of a series of online conversations between elders and youth in the ecovillage movement, with the aim of strengthening intergenerational connection, and exchanging wisdom, with the purpose of contributing to a thriving network of projects, communities and individuals.
Discover the full article which presents what happened during these meetings and the outcomes of them.
GEN ELDERS & NEXTGEN VIRTUAL FIRECHATs 2021
The spirit of our ecovillage network comes alive through collective learning and community building. In 2021, the members of NextGEN, set out to host virtual fireside chats together with the GEN Elders to celebrate this spirit.
Discover the full article which presents what happened during these meetings and the outcomes of them.
ESPEJO – Encuentro Social de Permacultura Joven
(eng) ESPEJO – Youth Social Gathering of Permaculture, is a gathering that occurs both online and in-person, where we focus on the presentation of each of the permaculture petals with expert guests. With ESPEJO, we manage to bring together young people who are interested in permaculture and have many questions, ideas and desire to get to know each other in order to expand their own network.
(esp) ESPEJO – Encuento Social de Permacultura Joven, es un encuentro tanto presencial como virtual, donde nos enfocamos en la presentación de cada uno de los pétalos de la permacultura, haciendo introducción con invitados expertos. Aquí logramos juntar jóvenes interesados en emprendimientos permaculturales y que tienen muchas preguntas, ideas y ganas de conocerse entre sí para ampliar su propia red.
Youth in Ecovillages
NextGENNA hosts a discussion call once a month that aims to inspire all ages, with an emphasis on youth, to explore what it’s like to live in an ecovillage. A special guest shares their rich background and experience living in their community. Each call focuses on 2 topics that include: sustainability, decision making, education, ethics & conflict resolution inside their communities. Check our upcoming calls through our website and our Facebook page below!
Gaia Calling
Gaia Calling is the gathering event organized by NextGENOA with the support from GENOA and Gaia Ashram. This beautiful event gathers young Earth warriors to meet up, exchange and celebrate our love and gratitude for Mother Earth. The first Gaia Calling Gathering was organized at Gaia Ashram (Thailand) from Mar 18th to Mar 26th, 2019. NextGENOA plans to host this gathering every 2 years.
Networking Conference
In 2016, 2018 and 2019, NextGENOA hosted the networking conference to bring core members of the network together and discuss about the current status as well as the developing strategy for the network. The networking conference usually follows a longer event such as an Ecovillage Design Education, a Training of Trainers or the Gaia Calling gathering. In 2020 we couldn’t host this meeting due to the Covid situation.
Sharing Circle Monthly Zoom Meeting and WhatsApp Group
Monthly Zoom Meeting: This is a group where young people interested in the GEN Network and in alternative and sustainable lifestyles can connect and support each other. Here we share relevant events, projects, trainings, and knowledge about best practices. This is the description and these are the minutes.
WhatsApp Group: It is the entry point to NextGEN Europe, will be your first contact with the network. Here you’ll find a lot of information and opportunities.
National Networks
- Italy: RIVE Giovani is a group of young Italians who met at the RIVE summer gathering in 2017. After that, they decided to write an Erasmus+ Youth exchange project together. They have been meeting online every month since then and are always open to carry out small projects together.
- Netherlands: NextGEN NL is running an instagram account, creating an Ecovillage presentation, giving workshops and organising an Ecovillage tour.
