Today there are an increasing number of people who are starting think about creating lifestyles that do not endanger the Earth and global populations. The ecovillage movement provides an alternative to mainstream way of living. Ecovillages of the new century try to live in a sustainable manner, taking into account ecological, economic and social aspects, through leading by example and being role models for the rest of society to follow. One of the biggest challenges for ecovillages has been to create jobs and sustainable sources of income within the ecovillage. This book offers a practical guide on how ecovillages can create business opportunities that adhere to the principles of truly green thinking. It gives an overview of the different aspects that should be considered by the aspiring ecovillage entrepreneur, and presents examples of successful business stories from various ecovillages around Europe. This book also strives to remedy the reluctance that many ecovillagers feel toward business. Furthermore, it demonstrates the ways in which ecovillages are ideally suited to run businesses that are compatible with the well-being of both people and planet, the businesses of the future.
A handbook "THE ENTERPRISING ECOVILLAGER. ACHIEVING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT THROUGH INNOVATIVE GREEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP" focus on green business and entrepreneurship, offering a practical guide on how ecovillages can create business opportunities that adhere to the principles of truly green thinking. It gives an overview of the different aspects that should be considered by the aspiring ecovillage entrepreneur, and presents examples of successful business stories from various ecovillages around Europe. The book also strives to remedy the reluctance that many ecovillagers feel toward business. Furthermore, it demonstrates the ways in which ecovillages are ideally suited to run businesses that are compatible with the well-being of both people and planet, the businesses of the future.
This handbook, as an auxiliary project output of Ecovillage road, is an attempt to help and inspire ecovillages to engage in green business and entrepreneurship and further to become members of Ecovillage road. Ecovillage Road which is an internet platform where ecovillages and similar projects are able to offer their goods and services to public visitors (visit www.ecovillageroad.eu for more info). The aim of the Ecovillage road is to foster entrepreneurship and thus economic independence of ecovillages, at the same time making them more accessible to the public and transfering the knowledge accumulated in ecovillages to a broader society.
Hopefully the handbook, packed with information, checklists and references to other books and green concepts, can accompany every enterprising ecovillager on their path towards successfully creating their own personal green livelihood.
The Enterprising Ecovillager: achieving community development through innovative green entrepreneurship. 2013. Robert Hall. — Vilnius : BMK leidykla, 2013. - 52 p. ISBN 978-609-8080-42-1.
