Proposal for the establishment of GEN-Israel National Network

Over the last few years in Israel, we have witnessed an incredible burst of activity as groups of people from all over the country have been creating viable models of sustainable living. From established kibbutzim through to new urban communities, private farms and education centers, a diverse range of projects are developing that offer low-impact local alternatives to the high-energy consumer culture of the mainstream. Now is the time to bring these different initiatives together under one national network – GEN-Israel.

As a small, densely populated country with few natural resources, Israel is facing huge challenges in terms of sustainability. The national ecological footprint, while ranking about average in terms of industrialized nations, far outstrips available biocapacity within the country. At present, Israel is completely reliant on imports of fossil fuels for its energy supply. Renewable energy sources and infrastructure are developing but still constitute only a small fraction of the country's total consumption. Air and water pollution represent serious threats to human health in some regions, and management of solid and liquid wastes mainly focus on conventional landfill and water purification solutions. In addition, there are marginalized populations in Israel such as the Bedouin living in unrecognized villages in the Negev desert that suffer from a lack of basic infrastructures and in some cases severe environmental health issues due to their proximity to toxic waste dumps. These internal challenges must also be placed within the context of the ongoing conflict with the Palestinians that has exacted a huge human and environmental cost on both sides.

The growing movement of ecological communities within Israel has the potential to offer a positive, sustainable vision for the future. All over the country, projects are emerging that are allowing people to disconnect from mainstream consumerist culture and develop alternatives based on local economies, renewable sources of energy, permaculture design principles and cooperative living. The establishment of a national network, GEN-Israel, is the next logical step in order to further facilitate this process.

The aims of setting up a national ecovillage network in Israel connected to GEN-International are threefold:

1) To promote viable, attractive and sustainable low-impact alternatives to support climate change adaptation and mitigation, and to engage people looking for a more ecologically and community-based way of life, whether within the existing communities or through the creation of new ones

2) To strengthen the existing communities and projects by providing a framework for connecting and interacting with other potential partner organizations within the country, local and national government authorities, and the international network

3) To forge cross-border connections with potential partners, particularly the growing ecovillage network in Palestine, with a view to establishing a bioregional approach to sustainability and promoting a healing vision of just and peaceful coexistence

Our hope is that the establishment of GEN-Israel alongside GEN-Palestine will be the first steps leading to the creation of a GEN-Middle East regional network that will also connect initiatives in Egypt, Jordan and other countries.

The first public event for the prospective network, an all-day conference, has been scheduled for November 23 at Kibbutz Gezer, with the participation of Kosha Joubert, president of GEN-International.

Project , ecolvillage and partners

Kibbutzim - Cooperative settlements

Kibbutz LotanEcovillageEstablishedKibbutz Lotan is an integrated, holistic intentional community based on a liberal, egalitarian approach to Judaism, ecological awareness and cooperative living. The community was established in 1983 and is home to around 150 people, mainly comprising young families. A central feature of Lotan is its Center for Creative Ecology, an experiential training facility providing hands-on education for sustainability for thousands of participants every year from Israel and the rest of the world. This venture encourages creating a bridge between people, nations and religions and aims to serves as a catalyst to inspire, motivate and empower people to build sustainable community and to take action for positive change towards social and environmental justice. Kibbutz Lotan has developed and demonstrates permaculture design techniques in extreme desert conditions, energy efficient natural building methods, local organic food systems, renewable energy, sustainable waste and water management systems and nature restoration.Location: Arava desert, southern IsraelWebsite: http://www.kibbutzlotan.com/

Kibbutz Neot Smadar -EcovillageEstablished

Established in 1989 as a learning community that focuses on cooperation and creativity in daily life. As individuals in a dynamic community, our interest in relationship extends to the environment through organic farming, desert architecture, water recycling, The Art Center and more. Today there are 90 adult members (families and singles), 70 children of various ages, and about 50 volunteers of all ages.Location: Arava, south of israelwebsite: http://www.neot-semadar.com/about

Kibbutz Hukuk - Settling with the environment - EcovillageUnder constructionAn eco-community in an existing Kibbutz, founding a community that enriches the local community, founding an ecological education system, ecological building, ecological infrastructure & social architecture.The Community influences the whole region: founding an ecological education system and neighborhood that are visited by many people who come to see the way we try to reduce our ecological footprint - and naturally reducing the greenhouse gases pollution, living in an energy efficient lifestyle.

Location: Hukuk, north of Israel.Contact: Zvi Nir - sviva.g.@gmail.comWebsite: http://www.slideshare.net/zvinir/hukuk-eco-community-israel

Kibbutz TZiv’on EcovillegeEstablishedTziv’on is a small young kibbutz with an ecological vision. Tzivon has among other things, an organic vineyard, dairy goat herd, traditional crafts workshop, a vegetable garden and and alternative education system.This place is about:Diversity - Diverse people that chose to live in a rural kibbutz on the fringe of Israel in order to create something new and different.Community - ranging from being good neighbours to actively researching co-operating and sharing in our daily life.Sustainability - striving to fulfill our needs locally, from food production to education.location: upper Galilee, north of Israel.website: https://www.facebook.com/tzivon

Kibbutz Gezer established

Originally founded in 1945, the kibbutz disbanded in 1963 and was re-established by a group of young Americans in 1973.

Gezer was into vegetarian, organic food and getting back to the land back in the 70's, and was (and still is a bit!) considered by our neighbors as American hippies. The community now has a growing environmental "movement". We have a new ecological garden, community gardens, recycling center (we recycle, compost and reuse about 60% of our trash). We also have an organic olive grove of 1200 trees which produce olive oil, olives, and soap. An environmental committee open to everyone organized events, and cleanups. We recently installed solar panels on the roofs of the cow sheds, and are looking into expanding.

Kibbutz Kramim ecovillageestablishedA struggling traditional Kibbutz gone through a revival

process with emphasis on sustainability and community life. from a struggling community became a thriving eco-Kibbutz.

All houses built in the Kibbutz designed to be energy

efficient in accordance with local climate. Waste is carefully separated including organic made into compost in the Kibbutz. Solar power project is working. Water recycling project, community social projects, etc.

location: Negev, south of Israelwebsite: http://www.kramim.org.il/mainsite.asp?sitename=kramim

Settlements

KaditaEcovillageEstablish

Kaditah is an unrecognized, loosely organized village located in the Galilee of northern Israel. The residents are currently negotiating with the government concerning planned ecological development of the village. Residents are all committed to living on the land and are involved with various ecological lifestyle practices. but there is little co-ordination. The Kaditah ecology center was founded to offer workshops, information and demonstration projects both to residents and to visitors and volunteers. The center is currently working on issues such as water conservation (greywater and rainwater collection), passive solar (ovens and greenhouse), organic gardening and fruit trees, tofu production, handcrafts and more. The organizers of the center are committed to working to improve Jewish-Arab relations in this troubled region through cooperative work on ecological projects. Other Kaditah residents are involved with issues such as alternative energy production (solar and wind), small livestock, alternative building, and more. The community is diverse and a wide range of political, social and religious beliefs are represented

ShuvaEcovillageShuva - religious -Ecological community based on People

who were not connected to the Torah and became reconnected) 22 families trying to combine sky and earth, judaism with simple life and sustainability. Ancient hand-Craft, Organic farming, Organic herb growing, Organic workshop.

location: western NegevWebsite: http://eng.negev-net.org.il/HTMLs/article.aspx?

C2004=12679

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr5OVxtxpYA&playnext=1&list=PLE05C0BEEDF33D61A

Urban Ecology Community

CityTree - Tel AvivCityTree is an Urban Ecological Community, with a few

hunderd members, six of whom live in our eco-apartment, located in the heart of Tel Aviv. We are practicing a communal life style, and the flat is a showcase for urban sustainability. We experiment with composting, grey water reuse, urban agriculture, and more. We also host workshops and courses that have to do with a wide spectrum of ecology, starting from Raw Vegan classes, through Non-Violent Communication, and on to study groups around alternative economy.

As part of our Ecological Oasis vision, we are open to hosting travelers and activists from around the world in our flat.

Website: http://www.citytree.net/

Kama Communityurban communityEducational projectEstablished

Established about 10 years ago by a group of young people who had served together in the army. The organization works to reduce social and economic disparities and to promote interconnected communities in the Negev, in the periphery and throughout Israel. “Tor HaMidbar”is the kibutz NGO- it approaches community development from a social-democratic perspective, based on the shared values of equality, justice, partnership and sustainability.

Operating the Center for Neighborhood Sustainability in Beer sheva -The Center is home to a garden with plots for vegetables, where the landscaping and architecture is constructed sustainably from mud and recycled materials. The Center is a community gathering place where local residents come together for daily meetings, community events and holidays.The Center for Neighborhood Sustainability is proud to serve as a national model which has been replicated in more than 10 communities throughout Israel.

Location: City of Beer-Sheva, south of Israel.website:http://www.torhamidbar.org.il/

Ahuzat NegevEductional ProjectUnder construction

A settlement core of 30 families, running 2 community centres that are also social buisness. The first is “The center for sustainabilty which includes a 4000 square meter communal garden,including guidance for sustainable energy and recycling, and the second is “A center for bicycle tourism”.

Location: Ofakim, south of Israel.Website:http://ktzev.wordpress.com/

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Transition TivonStrengthening the community resilience and local activities in the northern town of Tivon.Location: Tivon, north of Israelhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/%D7%A9%D7%AA%D7%99%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%9D/296702380451520?ref=hl

Educational CentersHava and Adameducational projectpermaculture projectHava & Adam Farm is a multidisciplinary center for

environmental and social education located next to the city of Modi'in. The farm is the first and oldest educational center in Israel that focuses on sustainability and has been operating since the beginning of 2003. Every year the farm has over 10,000 children and adult visitor that enjoy and participate in the various courses and activities

As a center which models sustainability, the farm strives for ecological self-sufficiency through the use of solar energy, self-treatment of waste, rainwater collection and gray-water systems, a variety of ecological building technologies, recycling and organic agriculture.

The farm is home to a changing community made up of year of service and national service volunteers and young people from around the world who live and implement the farm's principles of sustainability. This way of life serves as a model to learn these principles and transmit them to the general public.

Most of the farm's resources are directed to educational and social projects conducted on the farm, schools and kindergartens in Modi'in and throughout the country. In addition, the farm provides consulting service to a growing number of private people, organizations, nonprofits and municipalities in the field of environmental education and practical sustainability.

website: http://www.havaveadam.org/index.php?language=eng

Perma

AdamamaPermaculture projectLiving and learning centerEstablished in 2001 by Gur and Irit Rotem as an

inspirational experimentation center for dealing with the climate change and adopting ways of a sustainable lifestyle.

Demonstrate variety of appropriate technology tools - Renewable energy sources, recycling water, Soil erosion preservation, building with natural and recycled material.

Ecological Agriculture, desert useful plant nursery, edible landscape, preserves the biological diversity.

Working with the Bedouin community in the Negev in various environmental projects such as reforestation and waste management.

10 permanent resident and volunteersLocation: north negev

website: http://adamama.org.il

The solar Gardeneducational projectestablished

The Solar Garden is an educational initiative designed to promote awareness and use of green energy sources and environmental technologies (CleanTech) amongst the Israeli public. We aim to influence the development of a leading green energy industry in Israel through education and exposure of environmental technologies.

Website: http://www.haganhasolari.co.il

Center for Agroecology In the citypermaculture projectEducational projectUrban AgroEcology Training Centre for a Sustainable living:

Workshops, Tours, Movies, Presentations, all about Urban Ecosystems and our day to dayhttps://www.facebook.com/MosinzonAgroEcologyCenter/info

clementerra mini farmpermaculture project1 dunam of a small scale urban farm, we are a

demonstration and a learning center to permaculture in small scale

we teach permaculture as a way to educate people to the world state, and what they can do about it. we use ecological food growing methods, all kind of compost methods (kitchen, toilets, worms), low tech gray water system and morewebsite:https://www.facebook.com/ClementerraMiniFarm

Yesh mea’inEductional ProjectEstablishedA permaculture farm built on the foundations of an old

neglected farm. The project includes permaculture courses, feasible ecology workshops and exchange markets once a month.

Location: Nahalal, north of Israel.Contact: Merav Carmi - meravcarmi@gmail.comWebsite: http://yeshmeain.carmi.org.il

Kidron Food ForestPermaculture ProjectUnder constructionResearch centre for development of food forest in the

mediterranean climate. We are creating a sustainable and productive ecosystem where there used to be conventional monoculture.Soil erosion preservation using Swells and dams.

Location: Kidron, center of Israel.Contact: Hadas Hochberg - hadas.hoc@gmail.comWebsite: https://www.facebook.com/foodforestisrael

ShdemaEco communal center & give-take market, created by number of Families from the Gadera area. Our goal is to be an open community space, to promote enviornmental education, and to be an example for alternative way of life. We are having different events such as give-take market and local gatherings and parties.Location: Sdema, Center of Israel.

website: http://www.ecomeshek.org.il/

Yatir farmPermaculture ProjectEstablishedAn ecological farm in the south of Israel, specializing in growing medicinal herbs, along with ecological independent systems for supply of food, water and energy.Soil erosion preservation using Swells and dams.two families & volunteersLocation: Yatir, south of israelContact: Noam Oren - ecoren2003@gmail.comWebsite:http://yatirherbs.com/

Vertigopermaculture projectecovillage

VERTIGO Eco Art Village is a center for art and ecology At its heart is the Vertigo Dance Company, which founded the Village in order to foster artistic creation engaged with the environment.

As part of its environmental focus the Village develops and disseminates information on green technologies such as water conservation systems and sustainable energy sources. The Village aims to inspire socially conscious, creative sustainable living, and to connect participants from all walks of life, in Israel and abroad, to themselves, their creativity and the environment

Inhabitants: 10 adulth 12 children

website: http://eco-artvillage.org/english/

Ecology and Peace centerBustan Nof MeshutafLocated in the heart of the Galilee, the Bustan is a place for

Jews and Arabs to learn about agriculture, ecology, and each other.Amiram and Tilda Goldin founded the Bustan in 2009 as an initiative of the Omri Foundation, an NGO established in memory of their son, Omri Goldin, who was killed by terrorists in the summer of 2002.

Bustan Nof Meshutaf brings together people of different backgrounds in an accepting embrace, providing opportunities to learn in a shared environment and to cultivate the land together. It is a place where nearby communities can meet, a place where Jews and Arabs, secular and religious, young and old, may come in order to heal and grow both individually and collectively while caring for the land.

Bustan Nof Meshutaf offers a range of programs, such as:Ecological workshopsDemonstrations of traditional agricultural methods andtraditional crafts.

http://nofmeshutaf.org/english/

African Hebrew Israeli of JerusalemIntentional community

establish

American black community finds spiritual home in the Negev. The African Hebrew Israelites are the followers of Ben Ammi Ben Israel. The group The group maintains a vegan diet and grow much of their own food. Particularly active throughout Africa.

5000 members.

Location: Dimona, south of israel

Website: http://africanhebrewisraelitesofjerusalem.com/

EcoMe

EcoME Centre is center for peace & ecology.The Centre researches environmental, social and personal sustainability in a multi-cultural context, amidst conflict. EcoME provides a welcoming and mutually accessible location for social networking, formal and informal meetings, trainings, workshops, and outdoor adventure. The Centre is held by a small group of dedicated and visionary Palestinians, Israelis and internationals.From the beginning, the center opened for 6 months every year, according to the local weather.

The mission of EcoME is: 1. To serve as a centre for professional education and training in various fields of outdoor and environmental education, applied sustainable living, solar energy, ecological architecture, leadership and interpersonal skills.2. To provide a platform that empowers environmental, peace and social networks and organizations that already exist in this region, as well as new initiatives, and to encourage collaboration between them.3. To research the relationship between personal, political and environmental aspects of conflict transformation.4. To facilitate face-to-face dialogue in a safe and welcoming environment.

Website: http://ecomecenter.org/front.html

PartnersTransition israelA national project for the development of the transition movement in Israel, by raising awareness and supporting local activists. Synchronizing with the global network. Strengthening the community resilience and local activities to address various global changes.Website:http://transitiontivon.org.il/

Dror IsraelThe Dror Israel movement is a pioneer Zionist movement of educators that work in all sectors of society to strengthen faith in man and action in society and to actualize the values of equality, social alliance and social responsibility in everyday reality. The movement is composed of alliances of individuals and communal groups aiming to advance Israeli society through general education and friendly interpersonal communication.

Website: http://www.drorisrael.org.il/english/?page_id=15

The group circleA federation of groups, urban kibbutzim and communities based on socialist cooperative. This organization is a broad platform for the realization of the cooperative idea. The groups different from each other ways of life .The groups working to create a partnership culturally, socially, economically and politically. The groups operating centers for community sustainability in cities.Website: http://shituf.org.il/

OthersShomri HaganEducational ProjectEstablished150 groups of children and youth learning on a weekly base how to connect to the earth, the spirit and themselves, using hunter/ gatherer skills.Location: All of israelContact: Eran Bar-On - shomrei.hagan@gmail.comWebsite:http://www.shomreihagan.org//

Community on WheelsNomadic community of pepal living in motorhomes.Website: https://www.facebook.com/groups/460783537341425

Personal Project

Old CraftTraditional cultural project

Yonit crystal - Study and conservation of traditional craftsResearch and study of traditional crafts from old people who practiced the craft in the past, This includes searching for those who can demonstrate and teach their craft, full documentation of the work including social and environmental aspects, and transferring the knowledge to

younger generations מלאכות .traditional The traditional crafts where based on local materials without using any fuel or polluting energy to create most of human needs.

website: www.old-crafts.co.il

Bio-Dynamic BeehivesUrban ProjectUnder constructionInitiating the return of the honeybee to the world through the creation of an ecological and sustainable system within a social-environmental activity with highly global importance. In the core of this activity lies the establishment of bio-dynamic beehives throughout Israel. This venture will encourage creating a bridge between people, nations and religions and will cultivate new income sources.Website: http://www.yossiaud.co.il

Permador – Dor HavkinLong experienced permaculture consultant, a known figure in

the permaculture movement in Israel.For his experience working many years with a variety of

government agencies, communities, aid Projects and in the private sector ‘all in the area of permaculture and environmental sustainably solutions (water recycling and harvesting , holistic planning and management, integrated food production systems)

works in Israel and Africa.

Promotes information sharing

In recent years, his passion (Alongside his work) is the to create the accessibility and simplification of his collected knowledge to simple practice

The Project is Series of manuals which simplify knowledge , give the abilities and make it accessible to the level of hands on practice. In the Issues of water usage, runoff harvesting, agriculture, food production, appropriate technologies. All in the lines of permaculture for leveraging urban Communities and especially rural Communities.

permador@gmail.com

BayadaimVirtual communitySolution library and DIY and DIT (Do it together) site that provide guides for independent life style.The site is supported by community of researchers and developers.Website:http://www.bayadaim.org.il/category/instructubles/

Initiatives

The Ecological house in Neve-EitanUnder construction

development of alternative life sporting technology combining comunity living and practes of sustainebilty the project is devoloping bicycle trailers rocket stoves ,compost toilets ,constructures from natural matrials (canes ,palms ,earth) and most importent of all living with other pepole (comune)

Etz BaKibutz Bror HailPermaculture ProjectInitiativeWorkshops and classes about ecological aspects such as growing food, recycling and waste managment, introduction to local wildlife plants and animals.

Aley AdamotRural ProjectUnder constructionbased in the Judean Plains,Aley Adamot is created out of a vision to encourage harmonious life between humans, and between humankind and the earth. We wish to support the fullness of life, combining spiritual teaching, meditation, art, ecology, nature and peace.Location:Luzit, center of israelContact: Yoav Aptowizer - yoav.aptowizer@gmail.comWebsite: http://www.aleyadamot.com/