Sieben Linden, Germany
Founded in 1997 | Area: 77 ha | Residents: 120

Rooted in a project that had existed since 1989 but only took form eight years later, Sieben Linden's reputation as a thriving ecological settlement grew quickly, and a study from Kassel University came to confirm the community's low impact achievements: its carbon footprint is more than 70% below the German average.

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Gabriel climbing a tree during the Forest Kindergarten Ute is responsible for one of the community's vegetable gardens, which provide 50 to 70% of their vegetable needs Everyone is asked to leave their shoes at the entrance of the common house Claudia with her son. Currently there are about 30 children living in the ecovillage with ages between 0 and 13 A strawbale house built entirely by hand with local and recycled materials After the age of 6, children residents attend schools in the region Sun and wood provide electricity to living areas and energy for the heating of houses and water Michael, one of the pioneers. As the project diverged from his initial vision he grew more disconnected from the community A team of cooks provides three vegan meals per day for community members and guests Ecovillage members reading one-sheet presentations left by twenty-four candidates to new members All toilets in Sieben Linden are compost toilets, a system that doesn't waste water and converts organic matter into fertilizer Michi collecting manure from a local farmer to fertilize the ecovillage's lands Only 7 people work outside the community; the majority prefers to have a modest, self-governed life within the ecovillage The community is divided into small neighborhoods with shared visions in terms of lifestyle and socio-economic responsibilities Only 7 people work outside the community; the majority prefers to have a modest, self-governed life within the ecovillage A guest house. Sieben Linden's educational programs on eco-living mobilize many visitors every year