Hundreds of participants from 15 European countries came together to share experiences, discuss the future of eco-living, and explore how ecovillages can respond to global challenges — from the climate crisis to social upheavals.

A central part of the event was the meeting of national ecovillage network leaders. Here, participants discussed not only ecological practices but also the strategic development of movements in different countries. “Strong settlements do not always mean strong networks. These are different levels of coordination and organization of processes,” participants noted.

A key element was the discussion on unifying values. The Ukrainian network presented its own concept — “In Earth we trust.” As explained by GEN Ukraine leader Maksym Zalevskyi, “we are united by care for the Earth. This is something on which there are no contradictions within our network.” This vision — regeneration of the land as the foundation for restoring communities and people — resonated as particularly relevant in Europe.

“Not all networks today have a clear direction. Far from all of the 15 countries have achievements to share. The strongest remain mostly the Western networks,” Zalevskyi admitted.

Despite the hardships of war and the crisis of civil society, the Ukrainian experience earned respect from colleagues. “We maintained the activity of our network. Our weekly Wednesday calls have not lost momentum. People want to move forward with us. I said that I am proud that, despite everything, we preserved the multiculturalism, inclusiveness, and ideological biodiversity of our network. This is what I see as a true European value,” he added.

Meanwhile, the development of ecovillages in Moldova is not as intensive as in some European countries or even neighboring Ukraine. This is why there is hope that the state will pay more attention to this issue. Such settlements foster conscious communities, restore the connection with nature, stimulate local economies, and create sustainable living models that can be adapted to different conditions. Their development helps prepare people for future challenges and strengthens the social and ecological resilience of the country.