How This French Philosopher Inspired An Early Version of Cohousing

Posted on July 23, 2016 by
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Although not as famous as some of his contemporaries, the French thinker Charles Fourier was one of the early visionaries of the intentional community movement. A utopian socialist, he proposed… Read More


The First YIMBY Conference Says Yes In My Backyard

Posted on July 21, 2016 by

Many U.S. cities are in the middle of a housing crisis. Some, like San Francisco, have been struggling with it for years, while others, like Portland and Seattle, hope to… Read More


True Sustainability: Indigenous Pathways

Posted on July 21, 2016 by

At Maitreya Mountain Village, mainstream pragmatism meets radical idealism.


A New Movement Is Rethinking Our Relationship With The Earth

Posted on July 18, 2016 by

Last month, I had the chance to visit the Windward Education and Research Center, an intentional community in rural Washington, for an event called the EcoSex Convergence. Over 5 days,… Read More


Case Study: How One Community Handles Maintenance Expenses

Posted on July 14, 2016 by

Here at Foster Village, my community in SE Portland, we share access to three houses on adjoining plots of land. Although we have plans for collective ownership, for now the… Read More


This 1800s Commune Tried Free Love and Income-Sharing Long Before It Was A Thing

Posted on July 11, 2016 by

Many of the intentional communities that we hear about are recent ones: the back-to-the-land communes of the 1970s, the student co-ops and cohousing spaces being formed today. That’s why it’s… Read More


Creating Carbon-Negative Communities: Ecovillages and the UN’s New Sustainable Development Goals

Posted on July 11, 2016 by

Diverse ecovillages are modeling how to create more just, equitable, and sustainable human societies.


The Placemaking Movement is Turning Cities into Communities

Posted on July 8, 2016 by

Over 15 years ago, a group of natural builders organized the first Village Building Convergence in Portland, OR. It’s partly the reason why the city is now dotted with colorful… Read More


Community As Sanctuary: How These Retreats Offer Refuge in Rural Places

Posted on July 7, 2016 by

Some communities, like the Tonic Housing project in the U.K., were founded as a way to provide cohousing to LGBT elders in rapidly gentrifying cities. Others offer a refuge away… Read More


Going Biking This Summer? Try Out This Network For A Shower and A Place to Stay

Posted on July 4, 2016 by

Since 1993, the Warm Showers network has been connecting touring bicyclists with hosts willing to offer them a couch, shower, camping space, or other form of hospitality. Originally started as… Read More


The Bridge to a Greener World

Posted on July 1, 2016 by

This Australian community’s bridge is a lot more than just a bridge.


Power Shift Hosts 4 Regional Events for Young Climate Activists

Posted on June 30, 2016 by

The Energy Action Coalition, the “Hub of the Youth Climate Movement,” has hosted four Power Shift convergences for young climate activists since 2007. This year, the event is expanding into… Read More


NuMundo Hosts Southeast Bioregional Convergence in Asheville, July 9-10

Posted on June 27, 2016 by

NuMundo wants to make it easier for travelers to connect with ecovillages and intentional communities around the world. Their site has dozens of listings in the U.S., Europe, South America,… Read More


One of These 7 Finalists Will Be the First “Smart City” in the U.S.

Posted on June 23, 2016 by

Last year, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced its “Smart City Challenge,” a contest that will award one mid-sized city with $50 million in funding to improve its transportation networks.… Read More


Want an Ecovillage? Stay Put!

Posted on June 21, 2016 by

How can we care for a place if we’re not there, day after day, year after year, paying attention?


Challenges and Lessons of Community

Posted on June 20, 2016 by

Community Bookstore Feature Best of Communities ― The Cream of Our Crop Challenges and Lessons of Community by Kim Kanney, Community Bookstore Manager Best of Communities Volume XIV Challenges and Lessons… Read More

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Try One of These Unique Alternatives to Airbnb

Posted on June 20, 2016 by
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Airbnb and other “sharing economy” sites have been getting some bad press lately, with many cities arguing that the platforms are driving up rent, contributing to housing scarcity, and turning… Read More


The FIC loves events!

Posted on June 17, 2016 by
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The FIC Loves Events by Kim Kanney It’s always a pleasure to network and share experiences with people both within the communities movement, and at events of related movements. In… Read More

Filed Under: All Blog Posts, Newsletter

The Ephermisle Festival Imagines What A Floating City Might Look Like

Posted on June 16, 2016 by

Since 2009, a small collection of sailboats, houseboats, rafts, and other watercraft have gathered each summer to create a floating city in California’s Sacramento River Delta. Called Ephemerisle, the week-long… Read More


Communities Movement Across The Continent

Posted on June 14, 2016 by

Communities Movement Across The Continent FIC News Highlights Are you feeling the Summer buzz yet? We are! Here are highlights from some of our recent adventures. Old Friends Lost Valley Education… Read More

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This Biologist Wants To Set Aside Half of The Earth To Protect Biodiversity

Posted on June 13, 2016 by

Edward O. Wilson’s new book, Half-Earth, offers a timely proposal for the conservation movement: dedicate half of the planet’s surface to nature, and we’ll be able to hold off the… Read More


Ecovillages Worldwide—Local Solutions for Global Problems

Posted on June 11, 2016 by

A wide array of ecovillages throughout the Global North and South address our shared challenges.


Do You Know Your Watershed?

Posted on June 10, 2016 by

Last month, I took part in Oregon State University’s online permaculture class, taught by Andrew Millison. While permaculture design certificates can cost upwards of $750, this class was free, open… Read More


The “Moved to Act” Climate Leadership Intensive Comes to Dancing Rabbit

Posted on June 7, 2016 by

This August, the Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage in Rutledge, MO, will host “Moved to Act,” a climate leadership intensive offered by Aaron Murphy and other instructors. The event takes place from… Read More


Switzerland to Vote on Basic Income Referendum June 5

Posted on June 2, 2016 by
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This Sunday, June 5, Switzerland will be the first country to vote on whether or not its citizens should receive a universal basic income (UBI) of $2,600 per month. The… Read More


Overcoming Apartheid—the Global Ecovillage Network

Posted on June 1, 2016 by

Communities worldwide are exploring how to heal our separation from each other and the natural world.


How These Co-op Bars Are Reinventing the Idea of a “Public House”

Posted on May 30, 2016 by

“Have a pint – change the world,” is the motto of the Oregon Public House, a co-operatively owned, non-profit bar in Portland, OR. According to co-founder Ryan Saari, the city… Read More


A Career in Creating Sustainable Communities

Posted on May 27, 2016 by

Jump-start Your Career Contributing to a More Sustainable Future! By Jenny Godwin, CoHousing Solutions Collaborative communities across the country need project managers and marketing assistance to help them realize their… Read More

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Here’s How You Can Participate in Global Sharing Week June 5-11

Posted on May 26, 2016 by

Shareable.net and The People Who Share are collaborating on this year’s Global Sharing Week, which will take place from June 5-11, 2016. Originally launched as Global Sharing Day, the event… Read More


Ecovillages and the FIC

Posted on May 24, 2016 by
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The Fellowship for Intentional Community and the Global Ecovillage Network partner in support of empowered citizens and communities designing for a sustainable future.