ZEGG - Centre for Experimental Cultural Design

Formed: 1978 Established: 1991

This page last updated:11/17/2012

Bad Belzig,

Germany

Bad Belzig

The ZEGG community comprises more than 100 people trying out cooperative ways of living and working together in a socially and ecologically sustainable way.

We see ourselves as a living experiment, as there are no ready recipes for the building of new ways of living. Besides the changes needed on the outer level like sustainable technologies, new circumstances must be created to support inner growth. We want to bring these two aspects of change together.

Experiences and insights gained are then passed on to the public during the events organised here.

Four large festivals and numerous seminars take place in ZEGG each year. With our program we want to offer a space for new experiences in the area of love, community and communication. Our areas of expertise are community building and communication, love and relationship issues. Additionally, the community offers guests the chance to come and work alongside its members, learning about gardening, permaculture and soil improvement and providing a direct and tangible experience of community in action.

An important basis of the ZEGG community is communal work within the seminar business, in the garden or in the site maintenance team. The communal business has adopted a sociocratic model of organisation, allowing for flexible and adaptable operating structures. Self-governing ‘circles’ cover the work areas or other aspects of the community, and two representatives from each circle sit in a superordinate circle representing the whole organisation. Big financial and other decisions are made by the whole community.

One of the main concerns of the ZEGG community is to ensure an ecological way of living. Practical examples include the CO2-neutral energy supply, a closed water cycle with its own constructed wetland sewage treatment system, and a garden growing fruits and vegetables according to the standards of organic agriculture.

Our existence has sparked an alternative development in our region. Many like-minded individuals came to live next to us and several intentional communities were started.

ZEGG is financially independent, supporting itself with the income from its festival and seminar business and rents paid by residents and the enterprises based on the site.

Website: http://www.zegg.de, www.zegg-forum.org

Contact:

ZEGG
Rosa-Luxemburg-Strasse 89
Bad Belzig, 14806 Germany
Phone: +49-(0)33841-595100

Links:

ZEGG Community

http://www.zegg-forum.org: texts and couses with focus on community building and ZEGG Forum

International Telephone Info

View Map of Locations
for this Community

Former/Other Names: Project Meiga, Bauhütte

This page last updated:11/17/2012

Visitors Accepted

Visitor Process: Visit the Website and chose from the program. Contact; empfang@zegg.de

Affiliations: Earthaven Ecovillage

:: ALDEAFELIZ

Network Affiliations:

GEN - Global Ecovillage Network

Statement of Housing Non-discrimination:

Our community does not discriminate in regards to housing based on race/color, national origin, religion, sex/gender, family status (i.e. having children, not having children, or being pregnant), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, ancestry, source of income, age, creed, personal appearance, political affiliation, HIV infection, military/veteran status, unfavorable military discharge, gender identity or expression, receiving public assistance, or being the victim of domestic abuse.

Population Members(adults and children): 105 Open to new members: No	Government Decision Making: By consensus (based on Holacracy) Identified Leader: No Leadership Core Group: No	Labor and Money Financial Style: Members have independent finances Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt: Yes Labor Contribution: Expected (Kitchen and cleaning shifts, voluntary work during big events 4 times a year) Join Fee: Yes (2300€ for buyin a share in the legal limited company) Regular Fees: Yes (for food and lodging)
Land and Buildings Rural Area: 37.1 acres (15.0 hectares) Land Owned By: Other (Community controled limited company) Number of Residences: 22 Cohousing: No	Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: 21-50% Share Community Meals: Nearly all meals Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Other (Common kitchen is vegetarian or vegan) Dietary Practice: Primarily vegetarian Alcohol Use: Used occasionally Tobacco Use: Used Occasionally (smoking only at special places)	Social Factors Common Spiritual Practices: No Which Spiritual Traditions(s): Other (Many ways and practices) Educational Style(s): Other (Children are in public, Steiner and private schools depending on what fits for them.)

Become an Editor Current editor(s): zegg, achim, Cordula

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