Kurjen ekokyläyhdistys ry

Our organization is located in a beautiful ecovillage in Vesilahti. There are about ten families (35 people) living permanently. Since the implementation of our village that sustainable actions are part of our daily life and aim for other communities. We want to enrich the countryside, develop community living and learn to be more sustainable in multiple ways. Kurjen ekokyläyhdistys ry (Kurki ecovillage association) was establish in 2012. We are hosting and supporting the ESC project and we have received about 50 volunteers from more than 10 different European countries since 2013. We aim to host several volunteers each year, and as a supporting organization, we offer also the Finnish youth a chance to volunteer through the ESC programme. In addition, when needed, we cooperate with other hosting ESC projects which also represent ecological values. Kurjen ekokyläyhdistys aims to promote a holistic ecological lifestyle and global sustainable development, as well as to encourage communality and inclusion. The fulfilment of these purposes is a major part of the everyday life in the village, where the association operates and which also acts as a home to some of the members and the volunteers alike. The communality is fostered and developed in the village by e.g. members meetings, practical projects, work bees, celebrations, and free-time activities. These distinctive activities are motivated by a desire to create a new kind of social culture. We function in the nearby environment as well as in the international platforms, connecting people over borders. We are open and cooperate with the surrounding community. Our association is religiously and politically uncommitted.