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Formed: 1984 Established: 1985
Lebensgarten Steyerberg
Steyerberg, Lower Saxony,
Germany
(nearest railway station: Nienburg/Weser)
Circle dance on main square
 20 years Lebensgarten Ecovillage
by Frauke Elsasser and Declan Kennedy
More than 20 years ago Lebensgarten was founded. On 17th. Dec, 1984, 7 people waled through a settlement of row houses, which had been originally built in 1938 for the workers in an ammunition factory nearby. They decided to create together with others an ecological, spiritual community on the basis of three conepts. Peace, Creavitiy andd Tolerance.
 
Website: http://www.lebensgarten.de/
Contact:
Frauke Elsasser
Ginsterweg 3
Steyerberg, Lower Saxony 31595 Germany
Phone: +49 5764 2370, +49 5764 2000
Email This Community!
Links:
http://www.lebensgarten.de
Gaia University: Mostly in German but with link to English website .org
http://www.margritkennedy.de: Margrit's Money Suggestions in different languages - her book INTEREST AND INFLATION FREE MONEY can be downlaoded here
Last Updated:11/30/2008
 
Visitors Accepted
Visitor Process: Every month, we have a guided tour for visitors – this happens on the 2nd. Sunday of each month – starting at the entrance/ bus stop at 14 hrs. and finishing (1.5 hours later) with a visit to our Sunday Café with drinks and organic cakes. Here the new-comer gets views of the community as well as exchanges of ideas both during the walk and in the Cafè – costs €6,- per person. Larger group tours for school classes or associations with 10 or more people (with lunch or afternoon tea, as desired) can be arranged over the telephone through Frauke at +48 5764 2000 (Tues. 20-21 hr.). Overnight guests please call office: +49 5764 2370 (Mon., Wed., & Fr. 10 - 12 hr.; Tues. & Thurs. 17 - 19 hr.) or anmelden@lebensgarten.de
Affiliations: Gaia University

Network Affiliations:
GEN - Global Ecovillage Network
Population
Adult Members:
85
Child Members:
35
Non-member Residents:
20
Open to new adults:
Yes
(We are especially looking for 20 to 40 year old new members. We are about to expand with new eco-buildings on an adjacent plot.)
Open to new children:
Yes
Gender Balance:
40% M 60% F
Open to which gender(s):
All genders welcome
Age Focus:
Young Adults
Age Restrictions:
No
(but we prefer young adults)
Government
Decision Making:
By consensus
(we call our system qualified consensus)
Identified Leader:
No
Leadership Core Group:
Yes
(elected steering committee - every 2 years)
Labor and Money
Financial Style:
Members have independent finances
(Communal facilities carried by members' monthly contributions and donations)
Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt:
No
Labor Contribution:
Expected
(4 to 6 hours/ month)
Join Fee:
Yes
(new members pay double fees per month for the first year while on probation)
Regular Fees:
Yes
(Membership fees mainly for upkeep of communcal buildings and communal events)
Land and Buildings
Rural
(but in itself is densely built)
Area:
74.1 acres (30.0 hectares)
Land Owned By:
A subgroup of community members
(and a foundation: Paradise Now)
Number of Residences:
65
Cohousing:
No
(Eco-village model)
Food, etc.
Percentage of Food Grown:
1-5%
(we cooperate with bio-farmers in the region)
Share Community Meals:
1-3 times/month
Dietary Choice or Restrictions:
Diet is up to each individual
Dietary Practice:
Primarily vegetarian
Alcohol Use:
Used occasionally
Tobacco Use:
Used Occasionally
Social Factors
Open to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and/or Transgender members:
Yes
Restrictions on Romantic Relationships (between consenting adults):
No
Shared Spiritual Path:
No
(Tolerance is one of our common paths)
Which Spiritual Path(s):
Eclectic (integrates pieces from many religions)
(Many different spiritual paths)
Educational Style(s):
Private school off the property
(Steiner + public school off property)
 
 
Circle dance on main square
Terrace , slide and greenhouse
Main square with west wing of community building
Tennagers on scaffolding
First strawbale dwelling house in the county, buiklt on our permaculture/Zen garden and 2 members have moved in Jan. 2008
Final Presentation for MSc ion Movement Analysis at Gaia University Germany
August Graduation for 6 Graduates of Gaia University in the Studio of Lebensgarten
Oekologgia is the organic building material outlet run by Joachim Kreutzer in Lebensgarten Steyerberg
Oekologgia is the organic building material outlet run by Joachim Kreutzer in Lebensgarten Steyerberg
Click an image to see it full size.


Become an Editor Current editor(s): declankennedy
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