Regenerative communities 4All

<< Background >>Inspiration for this project came from the GEN Research Circle, which has been ongoing on a voluntary basis since 2015. The group has identified a growing interest in research on community life and sustainable lifestyles, and the lack of systematised information and forums on these subjects. They started meeting regularly to share resources and experiences, to identify gaps in knowledge and opportunities for collaboration. In 2022, a research stream was included at the GEN Europe Ecovillage Gathering held in Denmark, attracting a lot of attention. Research workshops were integrated in the programme, gathering researchers from all over Europe, but also educational practitioners showing great interest in the academic field and how it can be utilised in their work. Following the GEN EU Gathering another conference took place in Denmark, the 14th International Communal Studies Association (ICSA) conference, a research conference, gathering scholars from the whole world where the conversation continued and this project was conceived to address the need for cross-sectoral collaboration, to gather and systematise data on this field and to support the dissemination of regenerative practices and low impact lifestyles.<< Objectives >>The Regenerative Communities for All (ReGEN4ALL) project aimed to connect the world of academia (knowledge, research, and education) with practitioners and educators in community-led initiatives, acknowledging that adult education could benefit greatly from the knowledge gathered and disseminated in academia - and vice versa. The project aimed to bridge the gap between academia, practitioners and educators in community-led initiatives, particularly focusing on sustainable practices and lifestyles. It sought to enhance the quality and scope of adult education by making research about ecovillages and regenerative communities more accessible through a web platform and database. The project aimed to foster cooperation between researchers, educators, policy makers and community members, creating a cross-sectoral Community of Practice in the field of ecovillage research and education in different countries and scales. Ultimately, by gathering and systematising data, promoting a series of research colloquiums and connecting different stakeholders, ReGEN4ALL aimed to promote collaboration and knowledge-sharing to support the development of regenerative practices and policies. << Implementation >>A research Colloquium Series on relevant topics around ecovillage researc with 6 online colloquiums were offered, bringing together academics, practitioners, educators and activists to discuss topics such as: Ecovillage & … Refugees, Climate Action, COVID-19, the Commons, Education & Research, and Ecovillage Impact.A Code of Conduct was developed. 4 Communities of Practice (COPs) were established on national, regional, continental and international levels, respectively: in Denmark, Iberian Peninsula, Europe and global (online), engaging people from all over the world.Workshops were held during the European Ecovillage Gathering in Germany, in July 2023, spreading the knowledge gathered and inviting participants to contribute to the project outputs, sharing resources, giving feedback, and actively engaging in the conversations.The E-community Library was created, a database on ecovillage and regenerative practices, gathering over 600 academic articles, also videos, books, etc. A web platform was developed to host all these resources and to facilitate interactions among academics, practitioners and educators.Public dissemination webinars were held2 TPMs were held in Germany and Portugal, as planned + online<< Results >>During the project timeframe, 6 online LIVE Colloquiums were organised, welcoming 21 guest speakers including well-known academics, community members and educators to share about relevant topics, such as: Ecovillage & Refugees; Ecovillages in Times of Crisis: COVID-19; Ecovillages & Climate Action; Ecovillages & the Commons; Ecovillage Education & Research; and Ecovillage Impact. In total, 378 people registered and 157 attended the live sessions.4 Communities of Practice (COPs) on ecovillage research and regenerative practices were energised. 3 were established and one was expanded.A database on ecovillage and regenerative practices and lifestyles was created, gathering more than 600 academic articles, among other resourcesThe E-community platform, the first one specific on ecovillage research, was developed, including a code of conduct and guidelines on how researchers should approach communities and vice-versa. The platform is the host site of the database, the colloquium series and also includes a pilot match-making system called: Needs & Offers that aims to facilitate interactions among community members, academics, educators and activistsOnline dissemination sessions were held to promote the project and its outputs